Wondering how much Paramount Plus costs in 2026? Streaming services can be confusing with their different plans and pricing structures. If you’re considering adding this platform to your entertainment lineup, understanding the cost is essential before making a decision.
Paramount Plus currently offers two main subscription options: an Essential plan with ads for $7.99 per month (or $59.99 annually) and an ad-free plan that includes SHOWTIME for $12.99 per month (or $120 per year). The Essential plan provides access to Paramount’s content library with commercial breaks, while the premium tier removes most ads and adds SHOWTIME’s extensive catalog of movies and shows.
Both plans give viewers access to Paramount’s original content, movies, and shows. The pricing structure has remained competitive in the streaming market, offering value for those interested in Paramount’s exclusive content like Star Trek series, Yellowstone spinoffs, and CBS programming.
How Much Is Paramount Plus? 2026 Pricing Update
Paramount+ is implementing price increases effective January 15, 2026, marking the latest adjustment following Skydance Media’s $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global in August 2025 (source: Screen Rant).
Current Pricing (Until January 14, 2026)
Monthly Plans
Paramount+ Essential (Ad-Supported)
- $7.99/month
- 1 week free trial for new subscribers
- Access to 40,000+ episodes & movies
- Stream on 3 devices simultaneously
- NFL on CBS & UEFA Champions League
- Select SHOWTIME® series (may not include all episodes)
Paramount+ Premium (Ad-Free)
- $12.99/month
- 1 week free trial for new subscribers
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- No ads (except trailers, sponsorships, and live TV)
- 4K UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 on select titles
- Download movies & shows for offline viewing
- Live CBS streaming
- Full access to SHOWTIME®
Annual Plans
Paramount+ Essential
- $59.99/year (equivalent to $5.00/month)
- 1 week free trial for new subscribers
- Same features as monthly Essential plan
Paramount+ Premium
- $119.99/year (equivalent to $10.00/month)
- 1 week free trial for new subscribers
- Same features as monthly Premium plan
New Pricing (Starting January 15, 2026)
Both subscription tiers will increase by $1 per month (source: No Context Culture):
Monthly Plans (New Rates)
- Essential: $8.99/month (up from $7.99)
- Premium: $13.99/month (up from $12.99)
Annual Plans (New Rates)
Based on the search results, the annual Essential plan is expected to see a more significant percentage increase (source: Android Headlines), though specific new annual pricing hasn’t been officially disclosed yet.
What You Need to Know
When do the changes take effect?
- New subscribers: January 15, 2026
- Current subscribers: Your next billing cycle on or after January 15, 2026
Why the price increase? The hike comes as Paramount+ invests in new content, including a UFC deal and original programming following the Skydance Media acquisition (source: Android Headlines).
Should you lock in current rates? If you’re considering subscribing, signing up before January 15, 2026, or switching to an annual plan at current rates could save you money in the short term.
Important Notes:
- Free trials are for new subscribers only
- Annual plans save money compared to paying monthly for 12 months
- Premium plan ads: Includes trailers and sponsorships; live TV contains ads
- Download restrictions apply to Premium plan features
- 4K UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 availability depends on content, internet speed, and device capabilities
This marks Paramount+’s second price increase in 18 months, following an August 2024 adjustment (source: GHacks).
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus offers two subscription tiers in 2025: $7.99/month with ads or $12.99/month ad-free with SHOWTIME included.
- Annual subscription options provide savings with the Essential plan at $59.99/year and the premium plan at $120/year.
- Both subscription levels include access to Paramount’s original programming, movies, and shows with different viewing experiences.
Paramount Plus Subscription Details
Paramount Plus offers multiple subscription tiers with different features and price points. The streaming service has recently adjusted its pricing structure while expanding content offerings.
Pricing Structure and Changes
Paramount Plus currently offers two main subscription plans. The Essential plan costs $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year with ads. This basic tier includes thousands of TV episodes and movies, plus live NFL on CBS games.
For those wanting a premium experience, the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan is available for $12.99 per month or $120 per year. This ad-free option (except for live TV) combines the Paramount+ library with SHOWTIME content, creating a more comprehensive entertainment package.
Prices have increased since the service rebranded from CBS All Access. The Essential plan was previously priced at $4.99 monthly before rising to the current rate. These adjustments reflect the expanded content library and production of original programming.
Bundling Options
Paramount Plus offers several bundling opportunities to help subscribers maximize value. Many viewers opt to combine Paramount+ with SHOWTIME for access to exclusive series like “1923” alongside SHOWTIME’s premium content.
Cable and satellite providers sometimes offer Paramount Plus as an add-on to existing TV packages. This integration can simplify billing and provide discounted rates.
Students may qualify for special pricing through educational discounts. Additionally, seasonal promotions frequently appear, offering free trial periods or temporarily reduced rates for new subscribers.
Mobile carriers and credit card companies occasionally partner with Paramount Plus to provide complimentary or discounted subscriptions as customer perks. These deals represent some of the best values for accessing the streaming service’s content library.
Privacy and Personalization on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus collects various types of user data to enhance streaming experiences while implementing privacy measures. The platform balances personalization features with user control over their information.
User Data and Privacy Settings
Paramount Plus collects personal data including account information, viewing history, and sometimes geolocation data to authenticate users and provide customized recommendations. The service uses cookies and IP addresses to remember user preferences and ensure account security.
Users can manage their privacy through the platform’s privacy dashboard. This central hub lets subscribers control what information is shared and how it’s used by the streaming service.
The platform provides privacy settings that allow users to:
- Opt out of certain data collection practices
- Manage cookie preferences
- Control personalization features
- Review and update personal information
Paramount Plus implements security measures to protect user accounts from unauthorized access and prevent spam. These protections help safeguard personal information stored on their servers.
Advertising and Audience Research
Paramount Plus uses viewing data for content measurement and audience research to improve its services. This information helps them understand what shows and movies are performing well.
The ad-supported plan ($7.99/month) involves personalized advertising based on viewing habits. Paramount Plus uses this data to display more relevant ads during streaming sessions.
The platform may share anonymized data with partners like Yahoo and AOL for advertising purposes. However, users can adjust settings through the consent framework to limit this data sharing.
For those concerned about privacy, the ad-free plan ($12.99/month) reduces some tracking, though basic user data is still collected for service improvement. This plan offers a more private viewing experience while maintaining platform functionality.
Paramount Plus regularly updates its cookie policy to reflect current practices and comply with privacy regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about Paramount Plus pricing and subscription options. The service offers different tiers with varying costs for both monthly and annual plans.
What is the current monthly cost of a Paramount Plus subscription?
Paramount Plus offers two main subscription tiers. The Essential plan costs $7.99 per month and includes ads.
The premium tier, which offers an ad-free experience with more content, costs $12.99 per month. These prices reflect the current rates as of March 2025.
Are there special pricing options for seniors subscribing to Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus does not currently offer special senior discounts. The service maintains standard pricing across all age groups.
All subscribers have access to the same plan options regardless of age. Special promotions may occasionally be available to all customers.
What is the annual subscription rate for Paramount Plus?
Subscribers can save money by choosing annual plans instead of monthly payments. The Essential plan costs $59.99 per year, saving about 37% compared to monthly billing.
The premium tier costs $119.99 annually. This represents significant savings of nearly two months of service compared to paying monthly.
How is Paramount Plus pricing structured for Amazon Prime members?
Amazon Prime members can add Paramount Plus as a channel through Amazon Prime Video. The pricing structure remains the same as subscribing directly.
Prime members don’t receive special discounts on the base subscription. However, they benefit from the convenience of managing subscriptions through a single platform.
What content is available to stream on Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus offers a vast library of content from networks like CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures. Subscribers can access exclusive originals, live sports, and breaking news.
The platform features popular shows such as Star Trek series, Yellowstone spinoffs, and CBS programs. Movies from Paramount’s library are also available to stream.
Has there been a recent price increase for Paramount Plus subscriptions?
Paramount Plus adjusted its pricing structure in early 2024. The Essential plan increased from $5.99 to $7.99 per month.
The premium tier also saw a price increase from $11.99 to $12.99 monthly. These changes reflect the growing costs of content production and streaming technology investments.
