Paramount Plus Price

Paramount Plus (formerly CBS All Access) is great for binge-watching Star Trek and Big Brother. But is it worth the cost? Find out before you sign up.

	Watch Live TV Streaming and On-Demand Get Deal
	Overall Score	3.3
	Price	5.0
	Selection	2.5
	Contract	5.0
	Ease of Use	2.5
	Live News	2.0
	Live Sports	3.0

5-point scale (the higher, the better)

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Pros and Cons

• Free trial period
• Starts at $7.99/mo
• New Paramount Pictures releases

• Smaller TV and film selection
• Pay extra to skip commercials
• No curated watch list

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Bottom Line

Nostalgic and family-friendly content but weak user interface

What Is Paramount Plus?

Paramount Plus offers two pricing plans: $7.99 per month with limited commercials, and $12.99 per month for commercial-free and includes local CBS station plus Showtime. Both plans allow you to cancel at any time. Users can stream on 3 devices at the same time.

The subscription service includes current and classic CBS shows, exclusive programming, and live broadcasts.

Paramount Plus Free Trial

Like many other streaming services, you can try out Paramount Plus for free before subscribing.

Be aware that to sign up, you will need to link a method of payment, which will then automatically be charged at the end of the trial. You'll be charged monthly depending on the subscription plan you choose.

How Much Is Paramount Plus?

Paramount Plus has two different price tiers. They are:^[1]

If you opt for annual payments instead of monthly, you'll save almost $36 per year.

The Paramount+ Essential plan offers:

• Thousands of movies and shows
  
• Limited ads
  
• NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League
  
• 24/7 live news with CBS News

If you're looking to get more from a plan then check out the Paramount+ with Showtime. Aside from getting everything the Essential plan offers, you'll also be getting:

• No ads (except for Live TV and select shows)
  
• SHOWTIME originals and movies
  
• Live TV with CBS and college football
  
• Downloading shows to your mobile device

How Does Paramount Plus Work?

© CreditDonkey

To use Paramount Plus, you'll either need to download the app to your phone or TV or head to the website from your computer. From there, you'll sign into your account and choose On Demand or Live streaming. Then, you're ready to start watching.

All Paramount Plus plans are paid either on an annual or monthly basis. There's no contract, so you can cancel any time you want. If you want to binge-watch every episode of Big Brother or Star Trek, you can buy a month or two of the service and then cancel when you're done.

CBS has a fairly vast catalog of TV shows available through Paramount Plus. If you're still on the fence, make sure to check out what you could watch below.

Paramount Plus Features

Here's what we like about Paramount Plus:

• Current and past CBS shows: You can stream all episodes of currently running CBS shows one day after they air on TV. That includes regular CBS shows like Survivor, NCIS, Evil, and more. You can also stream all episodes of classic CBS shows such as Star Trek, Twin Peaks, Cheers, and more.

• Paramount Plus Originals: Some shows are exclusive to Paramount Plus. This includes the remake of The Twilight Zone, The Good Fight, and both Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Discovery. It's a must-have for Trekkies who want to stay up to date.

• Live streaming: Live streaming is available in over 200 markets across the United States. CBS has stations in almost every state, and the areas that don't have a station are served by stations in nearby states.

• Easy to cancel: If you need to cancel your subscription, you can immediately. Unlike traditional TV service, there's no contract that binds you to use the service for a set amount of time.

• Multiple devices and streams: You can use Paramount Plus on many mobile devices or a web browser.

  Each Paramount Plus account allows up to three simultaneous streams at once.^[2]

Here's what we don't like about Paramount Plus:

• There are still commercials: Unless you choose the more expensive $12.99/mo. subscription, you'll still have to watch commercials. It's fewer commercials than if you were watching TV through a regular cable provider, but you'll still have to watch them on a service you are paying for, which can be annoying.

• Some CBS shows are available online: Some current CBS shows are available on the CBS website for public access a few days after they air. Using Paramount Plus cuts down this delay to just one day and allows you to watch the shows on your chosen device, instead of only on a computer.

  If you just have one or two shows in mind that you want to watch, though, it's worth checking to see if they're available for free before you buy the subscription.

Will Paramount+ work on my device?

Not sure if you can run Paramount+ on your device? Check out the compatible devices:^[3]

• PC with Windows 8 or later
  
• Mac running Mac OS X v10.6 or later
  
• Apple TV 4th generation or later
  
• Apple TV 4k
  
• iPhone and iPad running iOS 15+
  
• Android TV
  
• Android Phone and Tablet running Android 5.0 Lollipop and above
  
• Chromecast
  
• Fire TV, Fire Stick, and Fire Cube
  
• Portal TV
  
• PS4 and PS5
  
• Samsung TV (2017 models and newer)
  
• Vizio TV (Smartcast 3.0, P-Series Quantum and Quantum X, M-Series Quantum, V-Series, E-Series, D-Series)
  
• LG TV running webOS 4.0 or higher (2018-current models)
  
• Roku
  
• Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X
  
• Xfinity and Xumo
  
• Cox Contour box
  
• Gemini
  
• VIDAA TV
  
• Google TV

Want to stream in HD? Keep reading to see if you can.

How to start watching on Paramount+?

There are different steps depending on the device of your choice. Find your device below then follow the steps to start watching:

• Desktop/mobile web device
  1. Go to the Paramount+ website
     
  2. Click "Try Paramount+" then you'll be redirected to another page
     
  3. Click "Try it Free"
     
  4. Choose a subscription plan then click continue
     
  5. Create an account
     
  6. Enter your payment information
     
  7. Click "Start Paramount+"
     
  8. Start watching!

• Apple TV/iPhone/iPad/Android TV/Android device/Fire TV
  
  1. Open Paramount+
     
  2. Select "Sign Up"
     
  3. Pick a subscription plan then click continue
     
  4. Put all necessary details
     
  5. Click "Subscribe"
     
  6. Start watching!

• Portal TV
  
  1. Start the Paramount+ app
     
  2. Click "Sign Up." From here, you'll see an access code
     
  3. Go to paramountplus.com/portaltv on your computer
     
  4. Enter the activation code
     
  5. Click "Activate"
     
  6. Pick a subscription plan then click continue
     
  7. Create a Paramount+ account. If you already have one, then just sign in
     
  8. Enter your payment details
     
  9. Start watching!

• PS4 and PS5
  
  1. Download the Paramount+ app. After, you'll see an access code on your TV screen
     
  2. Go to paramountplus.com/playstation on your computer
     
  3. Enter the access code then click "Activate"
     
  4. Choose a subscription plan
     
  5. Create an account/sign in to an existing one
     
  6. Click "Start Paramount+"
     
  7. Start streaming!

• Samsung TV
  
  1. Start Paramount+ app
     
  2. Click "Sign Up" and an access code should pop up
     
  3. Visit paramountplus.com/samsungTV on your computer or mobile web
     
  4. Enter your access code then click "Activate"
     
  5. Create a Paramount+ account/sign in if you already have one
     
  6. Enter your payment details
     
  7. Click "Start Paramount+"
     
  8. Start streaming!

• Vizio TV
  
  1. Launch the Paramount+ app
     
  2. Click "Sign Up"
     
  3. Visit paramountplus.com/vizio on your computer or mobile browser
     
  4. Enter your access code then click "Activate"
     
  5. Pick a subscription plan
     
  6. Create a Paramount+ account/sign in if you already have one
     
  7. Enter your payment details
     
  8. Click "Start Paramount+"
     
  9. Start streaming!

• LG TV
  
  1. Launch the Paramount+ app
     
  2. Click "Sign Up"
     
  3. Go to paramountplus.com/lg on your computer/web browser
     
  4. Enter your access code then click "Activate"
     
  5. Pick a subscription plan
     
  6. Create a Paramount+ account/sign in if you already have one
     
  7. Enter your payment details
     
  8. Click "Start Paramount+"
     
  9. Start streaming!

• Roku
  
  1. Add the Paramount+ channel
     
  2. Start streaming!

• Xbox
  
  1. Download the Paramount+ app
     
  2. Select "Sign Up" and you'll see an access code on your screen
     
  3. Visit paramountplus.com/xbox
     
  4. Enter your access code then click "Activate"
     
  5. Pick a subscription plan
     
  6. Create a Paramount+ account/sign in if you already have one
     
  7. Enter your payment details
     
  8. Click "Start Paramount+"
     
  9. Start streaming!

• Xfinity and Xumo
  
  1. Click "Sign up for Paramount+"
     
  2. Choose a subscription plan
     
  3. Create an account
     
  4. Click "Subscribe"
     
  5. Begin watching!

• Cox Contour box
  
  1. Launch the Paramount+ app
     
  2. Select "Sign Up" and you'll see an access code on your screen
     
  3. Visit paramountplus.com/Cox
     
  4. Enter your access code then click "Activate"
     
  5. Pick a subscription plan
     
  6. Create a Paramount+ account/sign in if you already have one
     
  7. Enter your payment details
     
  8. Click "Start Paramount+"
     
  9. Start streaming!

• Gemini
  
  1. Open Paramount+ on your Gemini device
     
  2. Start streaming!

• VIDAA TV
  
  1. Launch the Paramount+ app
     
  2. Select "Try it Free" and you'll see an access code on your screen
     
  3. Visit paramountplus.com/vidaa
     
  4. Enter your access code then click "Activate"
     
  5. Pick a subscription plan
     
  6. Create a Paramount+ account/sign in if you already have one
     
  7. Enter your payment details
     
  8. Click "Start Paramount+"
     
  9. Start streaming!

• Google TV
  
  1. Start Paramount+ on your Google TV
     
  2. Click "Sign Up"
     
  3. Choose a subscription plan then press "Continue"
     
  4. Create an account/sign up if you already have an account
     
  5. Tap "Subscribe"
     
  6. Start watching!

How to stream Paramount+ in HD

You can only stream Paramount+ in 4K UHD, HDR10, or Dolby Vision if you have:

• A premium plan (which is only available in Australia, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil).
  
• A 4K Ultra HD TV that displays HDR10 or Dolby Vision
  
• High-speed internet of 25 Mbps or higher
  
• A supported streaming device.
  
• An HDMI 2.0 port that supports HDCP 2.2 or later (your TV, media player, audio/video receiver, cables, adapters, and any other connected devices)

CBS Live Streaming Areas

If you live in an area with a CBS affiliate or CBS-owned TV station, you can stream live TV through Paramount Plus.

These are all the markets:

• Abilene / Sweetwater, TX (KTAB)
  
• Albany / Schenectady, NY (WRGB)
  
• Albany, GA (WSWG)
  
• Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM (KRQE)
  
• Alexandria, LA (KALB)
  
• Amarillo, TX (KFDA)
  
• Anchorage, AK (KTVA)
  
• Atlanta, GA (WGCL)
  
• Augusta, GA / Aiken, SC (WRDW)
  
• Austin, TX, (KEYE)
  
• Bakersfield, CA (KBAK)
  
• Baltimore, MD (WJZ)
  
• Bangor, ME (WABI)
  
• Baton Rouge, LA (WAFB)
  
• Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX (KFDM)
  
• Bend, OR (KBNZ)
  
• Billings, MT (KTVQ)
  
• Biloxi / Gulfport, MS (WLOX)
  
• Binghamton, NY (WBNG)
  
• Birmingham, AL (WIAT)
  
• Bluefield / Beckley / Oak Hill, WV (WVNS)
  
• Boise, ID (KBOI)
  
• Boston, MA / Manchester, NH (WBZ)
  
• Bowling Green, KY (WNKY)
  
• Bryan / College Station (KBTX)
  
• Buffalo, NY (WIVB)
  
• Burlington-Plattsburgh, NY (WCAX)
  
• Butte, MT (KXLF)
  
• Cedar Rapids / Waterloo / Iowa City / Dubuque, IA (KGAN)
  
• Champaign and Springfield / Decatur, IL (WCIA)
  
• Charleston / Huntington, WV (WOWK)
  
• Charleston, SC (WCSC)
  
• Charlotte, NC (WBTV)
  
• Charlottesville, VA (WCAV)
  
• Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)
  
• Cheyenne / Scottsbluff, WY (KGWN)
  
• Chicago, IL (WBBM)
  
• Chico / Redding, CA (KHSL)
  
• Cincinnati, OH (WKRC)
  
• Clarksburg / Weston, WV (WDTV)
  
• Cleveland / Akron (Canton), OH (WOIO)
  
• Colorado Springs / Pueblo, CO (KKTV)
  
• Columbia / Jefferson City, MO (KRCG)
  
• Columbia, SC (WLTX)
  
• Columbus / Tupelo, MS (WCBI)
  
• Columbus, GA / Opelika, AL (WRBL)
  
• Columbus, OH (WBNS)
  
• Corpus-Christi, TX (KZTV)
  
• Dallas / Ft. Worth, TX (KTVT)
  
• Davenport, IA; Rock Island / Moline, IL (WHBF)
  
• Dayton, OH (WHIO)
  
• Denver, CO (KCNC)
  
• Des Moines / Ames, IA (KCCI)
  
• Detroit, MI (WWJ)
  
• Dothan, AL (WTVY)
  
• Duluth-Superior, MN (KBJR)
  
• El Paso (Las Cruces), TX (KDBC)
  
• Elmira (Corning), NY (WENY)
  
• Erie, PA (WSEE)
  
• Eugene (Coos Bay/Roseburg), OR (KVAL)
  
• Eureka, CA (KVIQ)
  
• Evansville, IN (WEVV)
  
• Fairbanks, AK (KXDF)
  
• Fargo / Valley City, ND (KVLY)
  
• Flint / Saginaw / Bay City, MI (WNEM)
  
• Fort Myers / Naples, FL (WINK)
  
• Fort Smith / Fayetteville / Springdale / Rogers, AR (KFSM)
  
• Fort Wayne, IN (WANE)
  
• Freeport, IL (WIFR)
  
• Fresno / Visilia, CA (KGPE)
  
• Gainesville, FL (WGFL)
  
• Grand Junction / Montrose, CO (KREX)
  
• Grand Rapids / Kalamazoo / Battle Creek, MI (WWMT)
  
• Great Falls, MT (KRTV)
  
• Green Bay / Appleton, WI (WFRV)
  
• Greensboro / High Point / Winston Salem, NC (WFMY)
  
• Greenville / Spartanburg, SC / Ashville, NC (WSPA)
  
• Greenville / New Bern / Washington, NC (WNCT)
  
• Greenwood-Greenville, MS (WXVT)
  
• Harlingen / Weslaco / Brownsville / McAllen, TX (KVEO)
  
• Harrisburg / Lancaster / Lebanon / York, PA (WHP)
  
• Harrisonburg, VA (WSVF-CD)
  
• Hartford / New Haven, CT (WFSB)
  
• Hattiesburg / Laurel, MS (WHLT)
  
• Honolulu, HI (KGMB)
  
• Houston, TX (KHOU)
  
• Huntsville / Decatur / Florence, AL (WHNT)
  
• Idaho Falls / Pocatello, ID / Jackson, WY (KIDK)
  
• Indianapolis / Kokomo, IN (WTTV)
  
• Jackson, MS (WJTV)
  
• Jackson, TN (WBBJ)
  
• Jacksonville, FL (WJAX)
  
• Johnstown / Altoona / State College, PA (WTAJ)
  
• Jonesboro, AR (KJNB)
  
• Joplin, MO / Pittsburg, KS (KOAM)
  
• Juneau (Sitka/Ketchikan), AK (KTVA)
  
• Kansas City, MO (KCTV)
  
• Knoxville, TN (WVLT)
  
• La Crosse-Eau Claire, WI (WKBT)
  
• Lafayette, IN (WLFI)
  
• Lafayette, LA (KLFY)
  
• Lake Charles, LA (KSWL-LD)
  
• Lansing, MI (WLNS)
  
• Laredo, TX (KYLX)
  
• Las Vegas, NV (KLAS)
  
• Lexington / Hazard, KY (WKYT)
  
• Lexington, KY (WYMT)
  
• Lima, OH (WOHL-CD)
  
• Lincoln / Hastings / Kearney, NE (Grand Island) - KOLN
  
• Little Rock / Pine Bluff, AR (KTHV)
  
• Los Angeles, CA (KCBS)
  
• Louisville, KY (WLKY)
  
• Lubbock, TX (KLBK)
  
• Macon, GA (WMAZ)
  
• Madison, WI (WISC)
  
• Mankato, MN (KEYC)
  
• Marquette / Escanaba, MI (WJMN)
  
• Medford / Klamath Falls, OR (KTVL)
  
• Memphis, TN (WREG)
  
• Meridian, MS (WMDN)
  
• Miami / Ft. Lauderdale, FL (WFOR)
  
• Milwaukee, WI (WDJT)
  
• Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN (WCCO)
  
• Minot / Bismarck, ND (KXMC)
  
• Missoula, MT (KPAX)
  
• Mobile, AL / Pensacola, FL (WKRG)
  
• Monroe, LA / El Dorado, AR (KNOE)
  
• Monterey-Salinas, CA (KION)
  
• Montgomery / Selma, AL (WAKA)
  
• Myrtle Beach / Florence, SC (WBTW)
  
• Nashville, TN (WTVF)
  
• New Orleans, LA (WWL)
  
• New York, NY (WCBS)
  
• Norfolk / Portsmouth / Newport News, VA (WTKR)
  
• North Platte, NE (KNPL)
  
• Odessa / Midland, TX (KOSA)
  
• Oklahoma City, OK (KWTV)
  
• Omaha, NE (KMTV)
  
• Orlando / Daytona Beach / Melbourne, FL (WKMG)
  
• Ottumwa, IA / Kirksville, MO (KTVO)
  
• Paducah-Cape Girard-Harsbg, GA (KFVS)
  
• Palm Springs, CA (KPSP)
  
• Panama City, FL (WECP-LD)
  
• Parkersburg, WV (WIYE-LD)
  
• Peoria / Bloomington, IL (WMBD)
  
• Philadelphia, PA (KYW)
  
• Phoenix (Prescott), AZ (KPHO)
  
• Pittsburgh, PA (KDKA)
  
• Portland, ME (WGME)
  
• Portland, OR (KOIN)
  
• Presque Isle, ME (WAGM)
  
• Providence / New Bedford, RI (WPRI)
  
• Quincy, IL / Hannibal, MO / Keokuk, IA (KHQA)
  
• Raleigh / Durham (Fayetteville), NC (WNCN)
  
• Rapid City, SD (KCLO)
  
• Reno, NV (KTVN)
  
• Richmond / Petersburg, VA (WTVR)
  
• Roanoke / Lynchburg (WDBJ)
  
• Rochester, MN / Mason City, IA / Austin, MN (KIMT)
  
• Rochester, NY (WROC)
  
• Sacramento / Stockton / Modesto, CA (KOVR)
  
• Saint Louis, MO (KMOV)
  
• Salisbury, MD (WBOC)
  
• Salt Lake City, UT (KUTV)
  
• San Angelo, TX (KLST)
  
• San Antonio, TX (KENS)
  
• San Diego, CA (KFMB)
  
• San Francisco / Oakland / San Jose, CA (KPIX)
  
• Santa Barbara, CA (KCOY)
  
• Savannah, GA (WTOC)
  
• Seattle / Tacoma, WA (KIRO)
  
• Sherman, TX / Ada, OK (KXII)
  
• Shreveport, LA (KSLA)
  
• Sioux City, IA (KMEG)
  
• Sioux Falls / Mitchell, SD (KELO)
  
• South Bend / Elkhart, IN (WSBT)
  
• Spokane, WA (KREM)
  
• Springfield / Holyoke, MA (WSHM)
  
• Springfield, MO (KOLR)
  
• St. Joseph, MO (KCJO-LD)
  
• Syracuse, NY (WTVH)
  
• Tallahassee, FL / Thomasville, GA (WCTV)
  
• Tampa /St. Petersburg / Sarasota, FL (WTSP)
  
• Terre Haute, IN (WTHI)
  
• Toledo, OH (WTOL)
  
• Topeka, KS (WIBW)
  
• Traverse City / Cadillac, MI (WWTV)
  
• Tri-Cities, TN / Johnson City, VA (WJHL)
  
• Tucson (Sierra Vista), AZ (KOLD)
  
• Tulsa, OK (KOTV)
  
• Twin Falls, ID (KMVT)
  
• Tyler / Longview, TX (KYTX)
  
• Utica, NY (WKTV)
  
• Waco / Temple / Bryan, TX (KWTX)
  
• Washington, DC (WUSA)
  
• Watertown, NY(WWNY)
  
• Wausau / Rhinelander, WI (WSAW)
  
• West Palm Beach / Ft. Pierce, FL (WPEC)
  
• Wheeling / Steubenville, OH (WTRF)
  
• Wichita / Hutchinson Plus, KS (KWCH)
  
• Wichita Falls, TX / Lawton, OK (KAUZ)
  
• Wilkes Barre / Scranton, PA (WYOU)
  
• Wilmington, NC (WWAY)
  
• Yakima / Pasco / Ricchland / Kennewick, WA (KIMA)
  
• Youngstown, OH (WKBN)
  
• Yuma, AZ / El Centro, CA (KYMA)

How It Compares

It seems like companies keep coming out with new ways to stream. How does Paramount Plus stack up? Check out the rates and features of these top TV streaming services:

With Paramount Plus, you only get four channels: your local CBS channel, CBSN, CBS Sports HQ, and ET Live 24/7. This lets you watch live events like football games and the Grammy Awards. And, of course, you get access to the original content and CBS Evening News.

Though it doesn't have the largest streaming library, it's good if you're interested in shows like:

• Star Trek series
  
• The Big Bang Theory
  
• Strange Angel
  
• Blue Bloods
  
• Why Women Kill
  
• Classics like I Love Lucy and The Brady Bunch

FAQS

Do I need cable or satellite to watch Live TV?
No. You don't need a cable or satellite subscription to watch live TV. All you need is Paramount+, broadband internet access and a supported streaming device.

How do I watch live TV?
Simply go to paramountplus.com or the Paramount+ app on your device, select the "Live TV" option from the menu, and select the station you'd like to watch.

Is Paramount+ on Hulu?
Yes. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME live streams are available on supported devices for Hulu subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Premium Add-on.

Is Paramount Plus free with Amazon Prime?
No. it is not one of the free features offered by Amazon Prime.

Does Paramount Plus have Cloud DVR?
No. You can't record shows on Paramount Plus. But you can download On Demand content if you buy Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. Take note that downloading is not available for the Paramount+ Essential plan.

Is Paramount Plus available outside the US?
Yes. If you're looking to travel to the European Union, Australia, Canada, Latin America, or Brazil then you can still stream your favorite shows using Paramount Plus. But do expect certain changes depending on your country:

• Different movie/show selection
  
• Previously downloaded content may expire in the country you're visiting
  
• Certain features may not be available

How to pay for Paramount+ subscription?
If you sign up by the Paramount+ website, you can pay using your credit card. If you use another device, you can also pay using iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon.

Hear from an Expert

Don't just take our word for it. CreditDonkey asked Dr. Jennifer Burton from the University of Tampa for her expert opinion on streaming services.

Here's what she had to say:

Bottom Line

CBS almost always has a free trial period for you to try out Paramount Plus before you commit. If you subscribe and find that you're not getting your full money's worth out of Paramount Plus, it's easy to cancel.

If you want to watch current or past CBS-exclusive shows, the service is a solid streaming service at a fair price. Just be aware that you may or may not be able to watch live TV and that you'll have to pay more to skip out on the commercials.

References