Looking to stream your favorite CBS shows, hit movies, and exclusive originals without breaking the bank? Paramount+ remains one of the most affordable streaming platforms on the market, offering a mix of live content, classic series, and premium shows — all under one umbrella. For 2025 the pricing plans have been streamlined and everything has been simplified so you can pick from an ad-supported or ad-free option.
The lowest pricing plan starts at $7.99/month when you pay month-to-month or $4.99/month when you pay annually.
Here’s what you need to know about Paramount+ pricing and plans.
Current Subscription Plans
Paramount+ offers two main tiers tailored for different streaming preferences:
Essential Plan – $7.99/month or $59.99/year
- Ad-supported viewing experience
- 40,000+ episodes and movies on demand
- Paramount+ Originals and blockbuster films
- Live access to CBS News 24/7, CBS Sports HQ, Mixible, and curated channels
- NFL on CBS** and UEFA Champions League (via separate feeds)
- Up to 6 individual user profiles and 3 concurrent streams
- Includes select SHOWTIME series starting in 2025
Note: The Essential plan does not include your local CBS station and does contain commercial breaks during shows and movies.
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME – $12.99/month or $119.99/year
- Mostly ad-free (live TV and previews may still have ads)
- Includes everything in the Essential plan, plus:
- Your local CBS station live
- The full SHOWTIME library — including hit dramas, documentaries, and movies
- Support for 4K UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 on select content
- Ability to download titles for offline viewing
🧾 Is the Annual Plan Worth It?
Yes — if you plan to keep the service year-round. The annual plans save you around 20% compared to paying month-to-month:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $7.99 | $59.99 | ~$35/year |
| With SHOWTIME | $12.99 | $119.99 | ~$36/year |
🎯 How Paramount+ Stacks Up in 2025
Paramount+ continues to compete aggressively in the streaming wars. With the recent integration of SHOWTIME and new content partnerships, it offers a deeper library of prestige dramas, sports, and exclusives at a lower cost than many competitors. While services like Netflix and Max have moved into $15–$20 monthly ranges, Paramount+ is still under $13 for its highest tier.
Whether you’re watching Yellowstone spinoffs, Champions League matches, or Taylor Sheridan’s latest gritty drama, Paramount+ delivers strong value — especially for fans of CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and premium SHOWTIME content.
You can sign up here: https://www.paramountplus.com/account/signup/pickplan/
Key Takeaways
- Paramount+ offers two main plans: Essential with ads ($7.99/month) and ad-free with SHOWTIME ($12.99/month).
- Annual subscriptions provide approximately 20% savings compared to monthly billing options.
- The service includes exclusive originals, Paramount movies, CBS shows, and SHOWTIME content in the premium tier.
Subscription Plans and Pricing
Paramount+ offers different subscription tiers to fit various viewing preferences and budgets. The streaming service has adjusted its pricing structure for 2025, with options that include ad-supported and ad-free experiences.
Paramount+ Essential vs Premium Tiers
The Paramount+ Essential plan costs $7.99 per month or $59.99 annually. This budget-friendly option includes ads during programming but provides access to thousands of TV episodes and movies from the Paramount library.
Subscribers can watch NFL games on CBS, including local market games, and UEFA Champions League matches. The Essential plan supports streaming on one device at a time.
For those wanting an enhanced experience, the Premium tier (Paramount+ with Showtime) costs $12.99 monthly or $120 annually. This plan removes most ads and includes Showtime programming, making it a significant upgrade.
Premium subscribers enjoy additional perks like:
- Access to their local CBS station live
- Ability to download content for offline viewing
- Support for streaming on two devices simultaneously
- Higher video quality with 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision support
Bundle Offers with Showtime
Paramount+ with Showtime represents the service’s most comprehensive offering. This bundle combines Paramount’s extensive catalog with Showtime’s premium content library for $12.99 per month.
The integration brings together popular Showtime originals like “Yellowjackets,” “Billions,” and “Dexter” with Paramount+ exclusives such as “Halo” and “Star Trek” series. This represents significant value compared to subscribing to both services separately.
For college students, special bundle pricing may be available with verification of student status. The bundled service can be accessed through a single app interface, simplifying the viewing experience.
Users can easily upgrade from Essential to the Showtime bundle through their account settings. The price difference represents good value for those who enjoy premium content without commercial interruptions.
Special Discounts and Free Trials
New subscribers can typically take advantage of a 7-day free trial to test Paramount+ before committing. This trial provides full access to whichever plan is selected during registration.
Students may qualify for a 25% discount on either subscription tier with valid academic credentials. This brings the Essential plan down to approximately $5.99 monthly for eligible students.
Paramount+ occasionally offers promotional pricing, especially during major sporting events or premiere seasons for popular shows. Subscribers can save approximately 16% by choosing annual billing over monthly payments.
Military members and veterans may also qualify for special pricing through verification services. Paramount+ sometimes partners with mobile carriers and other services to offer bundled discounts or promotional periods.
First-time subscribers should look for seasonal promotions that might extend the free trial period or offer reduced introductory rates.
Content and Features
Paramount+ offers a rich selection of content across different genres and categories. Subscribers gain access to live sports, original series, movies, and a vast library of classic shows.
Live Sports and Events Coverage
Paramount+ has become a go-to destination for sports fans. The service provides extensive coverage of NFL on CBS, including regular season games, playoffs, and special events. Football enthusiasts can watch live games and access replays and highlights.
The platform also features UEFA Champions League matches, bringing European soccer to American viewers. Sports coverage extends to golf, NCAA basketball, and other CBS Sports programming.
Live events aren’t limited to sports. Paramount+ streams special events like award shows and concerts throughout the year.
Subscribers to the premium plan get access to their local CBS station, allowing them to watch live programming as it airs in their area.
Exclusive Series and Films
Paramount+ hosts numerous original series that can’t be found anywhere else. The Star Trek franchise has a significant presence with shows like “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Star Trek: Picard,” and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.”
Other popular originals include “Yellowstone” spin-offs “1883” and “1923,” as well as “Tulsa King” and “Mayor of Kingstown.”
The service regularly adds exclusive films and documentaries to its catalog. These range from new releases to Paramount+ original movies.
The premium tier also includes SHOWTIME content, adding acclaimed series like “Billions” and “Dexter” to the available library.
Classic Shows and Content Library
Paramount+ boasts an impressive back catalog of classic television shows. Viewers can enjoy complete series of beloved sitcoms like Cheers, “Frasier,” and “I Love Lucy.”
Reality TV fans will find full seasons of Survivor, Big Brother, and “The Amazing Race.” These shows’ entire runs are available for streaming at any time.
The platform includes a vast collection of Nickelodeon content, making it family-friendly. Shows like “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “iCarly” are available alongside newer Nickelodeon programming.
MTV, Comedy Central, and BET shows are also well-represented in the library. This deep catalog of content from various ViacomCBS networks gives subscribers access to thousands of episodes spanning decades of television.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paramount Plus offers different subscription plans at various price points. The streaming service has monthly and annual payment options, with different tiers offering varying levels of content access.
What is the monthly subscription fee for Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus has two main subscription tiers available monthly. The Paramount+ Essential plan costs $7.99 per month and includes ads.
For those wanting more features, the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan is available for $12.99 per month. This premium plan offers ad-free streaming (except for live TV) and includes SHOWTIME content.
What are the annual subscription options and pricing for Paramount Plus?
Subscribers can save money by choosing annual payment options. The Paramount+ Essential annual plan costs $59.99 per year, saving about 37% compared to paying monthly.
The Paramount+ with SHOWTIME annual subscription costs $119.99 per year. This represents a savings compared to the month-to-month payment option.
Does Paramount Plus offer discounted pricing for seniors?
Currently, Paramount Plus does not offer specific senior discounts on their subscription plans. All users pay the standard rates regardless of age.
The service occasionally runs promotional offers that all subscribers, including seniors, can take advantage of. These promotions are typically advertised on their website.
How does the cost of Paramount Plus vary when bundled with Amazon Prime?
Paramount Plus can be added as a channel through Amazon Prime Video. The pricing remains similar to standalone subscriptions, but billing is handled through Amazon.
This integration allows users to access Paramount+ content through the Amazon Prime interface. However, bundling doesn’t typically provide significant cost savings.
What are the current shows and content available on Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus features original programming like “Star Trek” series, “Yellowstone” spinoffs, and “The Good Fight.” The service also includes movies from Paramount Pictures.
Subscribers get access to content from networks like CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, and Comedy Central. Sports content, including NFL games and UEFA Champions League matches, is also available on the platform.
Are there still complimentary Paramount Plus subscriptions included with Amazon Prime membership?
Amazon Prime membership does not include complimentary Paramount Plus subscriptions. Paramount+ remains a separate subscription service.
Prime members must still purchase a Paramount+ subscription either directly or as an Amazon channel add-on. No automatic access is granted through Prime membership alone.
