Paramount Plus has evolved from a niche streaming service for CBS fans to a must-have app for TV and movie lovers, and now sports fanatics, too. It's also one of the more affordable services on the market, with plans starting at just $8.99 a month.
After the initial release of CBS All Access in 2014, Paramount Plus launched in 2021 as a replacement and has gradually crept its way up the ranks of the best streaming services. The streamer is a one-stop shop for all things Paramount, carrying old and new CBS programming ("Criminal Minds," "Tracker"), original series ("Landman," "1923"), Paramount Pictures films ("Mission: Impossible" and "Top Gun" movies), live sports (NFL on CBS, Champions League, and UFC), and much more. The Premium tier will even help you live stream CBS and unlock Showtime content ("Yellowjackets," "Dexter: Resurrection").
Below, we've rounded up everything you need to know about Paramount Plus, including pricing, plans, and available programming. We've also broken down what you need to know about the recent price hike and Paramount's new deal with UFC.
What are the Paramount Plus plans?
Paramount Plus offers two tiers of service, Essential and Premium. The base Essential tier has ad-supported on-demand streaming of over 40,000 episodes and movies, select sports live streaming (NFL on CBS, UFC, UCL), and the ability to stream on up to three devices at once.
The Premium tier (formerly called Paramount Plus with Showtime) offers ad-free on-demand streaming of all of those same film and TV titles, but it also unlocks Showtime content. Additionally, Premium lets users live stream their local CBS station 24/7. Premium subscribers can also download most on-demand content to watch offline. Like Essential, Premium allows for streaming on up to three devices.
How much is Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus Essential costs $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year. Paramount Plus Premium costs $13.99 a month or $139.99 a year. The prices for all plans increased on January 15, 2026. This was the first price hike since 2024, and both monthly plans increased by $1 a month. Essential was previously $7.99 a month or $59.99 a year, and Premium was previously $12.99 a month or $119.99 a year.
Is Paramount Plus included with Walmart Plus?
Walmart Plus offers paid subscribers a choice between Paramount Plus Essential and Peacock Premium, in addition to other perks. They can select which service they'd like access to every 90 days, so there's always a chance to switch back and forth between the two apps. Walmart Plus subscriptions cost $12.95 a month or $98 a year and come with a 30-day free trial.
Does Paramount Plus have a free trial?
Paramount Plus no longer offers a free trial. The service previously offered new customers a seven-day free trial before billing kicked in, but the streamer removed the trial offer in early 2026.
What devices can I use to watch Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus is available to stream across a wide variety of devices, including mobile devices, smart TVs, computers, streaming players, set-top boxes, and gaming consoles. Some of the most popular options include the Android app (phones and tablets), iOS app (iPhones and iPads), Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, LG TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Roku, and Samsung TV, among others. You can find a full list of supported devices on the Paramount Plus support website. Compatible devices vary by country, and users must be running updated versions of relevant software. For example, iPhones and iPads must be running iOS 16 or later.
Can you download on Paramount Plus?
The Paramount Plus Premium tier allows subscribers to download films and TV shows to watch offline. Most shows and select movies are available to download. This option is not available for the Essential plan. You can only download on iPhones/iPads running iOS 16+ and Android tablets/phones running Android 6+.
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What shows and movies are on Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus hosts a variety of content from CBS, Paramount Pictures, MTV, Comedy Central, and other Paramount properties. It's the best streaming service if you're looking to watch new episodes of beloved CBS series the day after they air on the network, or to catch up on past seasons. "Tracker," "NCIS," "Survivor," "Fire Country," "Matlock," and "Ghosts" are some of the most popular currently-airing shows you can stream right now.
The streaming service is also the home to several hit originals, including the "Criminal Minds" continuation, "Criminal Minds: Evolution," and all of the "Yellowstone" spin-offs, including "1883," "1923," and "Marshals." "Marshals" airs on CBS and hits Paramount Plus on demand the next day, but you can watch new episodes live with Paramount Plus Premium. Just keep in mind that you'll need to head to Peacock to stream the original "Yellowstone" series.
Other popular originals include additional series from "Yellowstone" co-creator Taylor Sheridan, including "Landman," "Mayor of Kingstown," "Lioness," and "Tulsa King." "The Madison," Sheridan's upcoming contemporary Western, will also be available exclusively through Paramount Plus. New episodes of "South Park" (and the full 28-season back catalog) are also available on Paramount Plus.
Subscribers can also catch seasons of other popular shows from Paramount-owned networks, like Comedy Central's "Broad City" and Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants." New seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race" end up on Paramount Plus, but not until after the full season has finished airing on MTV.
As for movies, the streaming service typically gets the latest releases from Paramount Pictures once they're out of theaters and available for streaming. Recent additions include "The Running Man" and "Roofman." The streamer also has a massive selection of older movies, including both Paramount Pictures originals (such as the "Mission: Impossible" franchise) and films from other companies (like "Nocturnal Animals," "Muriel's Wedding," and "Assassination Nation").
Subscribers who opt for the Premium tier will also unlock Showtime series, including "Dexter," "Ray Donovan," "Billions," "Californication," "The L Word," and "The Affair." We've noticed that newer Showtime series, like "Yellowjackets" and "Dexter: Resurrection," typically drop new episodes a couple of days early on Paramount Plus ahead of their weekly broadcast premieres.
What sports are on Paramount Plus?
Sports are also becoming an increasingly alluring component of Paramount Plus's offerings. If you have the Premium tier, you can live stream any sporting event airing on CBS, which is particularly handy for March Madness and The Masters tournaments. All tiers of Paramount Plus include access to NFL on CBS games, Champions League matches, and UFC events.
Paramount Plus now holds the broadcast rights to UFC, taking over from ESPN in 2026 as part of a seven-year deal. Unlike ESPN, major numbered events won't require an additional pay-per-view (PPV) fee. Instead, all subscribers (whether you have an Essential or Premium plan) will be able to stream all UFC coverage. Select UFC events will also air on CBS.
Are there any student, teacher, or military discounts?
Eligible teachers, college students, and military members all qualify for special Paramount Plus discounts. The teacher discount is for 50% off any plan, valid for one year, with the option to renew. The college student discount is for 50% off any plan, valid for one year, with the option to renew. The military discount is 50% off any plan for life. The military discount applies to new, active, retired, and veteran members of the armed forces, along with their spouses and dependents. To get any of these discounts, you'll need to verify your status.
Does Paramount Plus have any bundles?
Unlike many of its peers, which offer some of the best streaming deals and bundles (Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN, HBO Max, Peacock, and Apple TV), Paramount Plus isn't available to bundle with another streaming service at a reduced price. Back when Showtime was a standalone streaming service and not yet integrated into Paramount Plus, the two services were considered a bundle.
Is Paramount Plus available in other countries?
Paramount Plus has launched in several other countries over the years, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, among others. Prices vary by region. You can visit the Paramount Plus global landing page for more information.
For more information, check out the Paramount Plus website.
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