Your Guide to Paramount+ Plan Options

Understanding Paramount+ as a Streaming Service

Paramount+ is a streaming platform owned by Paramount Global, the company behind CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and the film studio that produces movies like Top Gun and Mission: Impossible. Unlike some streaming services that focus on one type of content, Paramount+ offers a broad range of entertainment: live sports, movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original series made specifically for the platform.

America's Tire Credit Card Information Guide →

The service launched in 2021, combining what was previously called CBS All Access with content from Paramount's massive entertainment library. This means the platform has decades of television history available alongside brand-new releases. You might find reruns of The Office alongside original Paramount+ shows like Yellowstone or Halo, plus live NFL games and college football.

When thinking about whether Paramount+ makes sense for your household, it helps to know what's actually on the platform. The service includes movies from Paramount Pictures' theatrical releases (usually available 45 days after they leave movie theaters), original series that have attracted significant viewership, live sports for those with certain plan tiers, and classic TV shows from the decades when CBS was the dominant broadcaster. The platform also produces content specifically for different niches—animated series for kids, prestige dramas for adults, and documentary series.

One important distinction: Paramount+ has different versions depending on where you live. This guide focuses on Paramount+ in the United States. The platform also exists in other countries, but the plan structure and content differ.

Practical takeaway: Before comparing plans, think about what content matters to your household. Do you want live sports? Are classic TV shows important to you? Do you watch movies regularly? Your answers should shape which plan tier you consider.

The Two Main Plan Tiers: With Ads and Ad-Free

Paramount+ operates on a straightforward two-tier model. You can choose a plan that includes advertisements, or you can pay more for an ad-free viewing experience. As of 2024, the ad-supported plan costs approximately $5.99 per month, while the ad-free plan runs around $11.99 per month. These prices can change, and Paramount+ occasionally runs promotional offers, so checking the official website before purchasing makes sense.

Get Your Free Airbag Reset Modules Information Guide →

The ad-supported plan includes commercials during shows and movies. The frequency and length of ads vary depending on the content you're watching. Some shows might have ads at the beginning, middle, and end; others might have fewer interruptions. Movies typically have ads as well, though Paramount+ generally places them more strategically than live TV. The trade-off is clear: you save about $72 per year by accepting advertisements.

The ad-free plan removes advertisements entirely. You watch the same content without commercial interruptions. This matters more to some people than others. If you're watching a movie or a gripping drama series, ads can feel disruptive. If you're casually watching background content or rewatching familiar shows, ads might matter less to you.

Both plans include access to the same content library. Whether you choose ads or no ads, you're watching from the same catalog of movies, shows, and sporting events (where applicable to your plan). The only real differences are the ads themselves and the monthly cost.

One thing to note: neither plan is truly "free." Paramount+ is a subscription service. While some platforms offer limited free content supported by ads, Paramount+ doesn't have this option. You pay for a subscription—either the lower-cost ad-supported version or the higher-cost ad-free version—to watch content.

Practical takeaway: Calculate how many months you'd use the service. If you're planning to watch for a year, the ad-free plan costs about $6 more monthly than the ad-supported plan. Whether that's worth it depends on how much ads bother you personally and how much you'll actually use the service.

Sports Content and What You Actually Get

Paramount+ has positioned itself as a sports-focused streaming alternative partly because of its live sports offerings. However, the sports available on Paramount+ depend on which plan you have, and this is where the distinction between the two tiers becomes practically important.

Good Sam Credit Card Information Guide →

Both the ad-supported and ad-free plans include access to live sports content. The primary sports offerings include NFL games (specifically games that air on CBS), college football games, UEFA Champions League soccer matches, and PGA Tour golf events. The exact schedule of which games air on Paramount+ versus traditional TV channels changes seasonally, so if specific sports matter to you, checking Paramount's sports schedule on their website is worth doing.

NFL content on Paramount+ includes regular season games from the CBS broadcast schedule. This doesn't mean all NFL games—ESPN, Fox, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video have their own rights to different games. But if a game would normally air on CBS, you can watch it on Paramount+ with a subscription. Similarly, college football games that CBS broadcasts appear on the service.

The soccer and golf content appeals to niche audiences. UEFA Champions League matches represent the highest level of club soccer in Europe, attracting serious sports fans. PGA Tour golf coverage includes tournaments throughout the year. These offerings distinguish Paramount+ from competitors like Netflix or Disney+, which don't emphasize live sports.

Here's an important practical consideration: live sports content on streaming services sometimes has restrictions. The service might buffer or have quality issues during peak viewing times when many people are watching simultaneously. Additionally, blackout restrictions—common in sports broadcasting—might prevent you from watching certain games depending on your location and the teams involved.

Practical takeaway: If sports are your primary reason for considering Paramount+, spend 10 minutes checking whether the specific sports you care about actually appear on the service regularly. A football fan should verify that CBS games you want to watch are included; a soccer fan should look at the Champions League schedule for the upcoming season.

Movie and TV Show Catalog: What Actually Matters

The Paramount+ content library includes both licensed content from other studios and original series and movies produced specifically for Paramount+. Understanding this distinction helps you figure out whether the service's content appeals to you.

Learn Which States Allow Anonymous Lottery Claims →

Original Paramount+ content includes shows like Yellowstone (which ran for five seasons and became a cultural phenomenon), Halo (based on the video game franchise), The Offer (about the making of The Godfather), and Star Trek: Discovery. The platform has invested significantly in original programming, particularly dramas and limited series. For many subscribers, these originals are the primary draw—content you literally cannot watch anywhere else.

The movie catalog includes recent theatrical releases from Paramount Pictures following their 45-day theatrical window. This means a movie that leaves theaters in January might appear on Paramount+ in March. The catalog also includes an extensive back catalog of older Paramount films, ranging from classic Hollywood productions to more recent releases. However, the movie selection isn't as vast as what you'd find on Netflix or as focused on blockbusters as you'd find on Disney+.

Beyond originals and Paramount movies, Paramount+ includes licensed TV content. This is where the CBS library becomes valuable. The platform has thousands of episodes of shows that aired on CBS over the decades: Cheers, MASH, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, how I Met Your Mother, The Good Wife, and many others. If you enjoy revisiting classic or beloved network television, this is substantial.

The catalog changes constantly. Paramount+ regularly adds new content and occasionally removes shows or movies when licensing agreements expire. This is true for all streaming services—content isn't permanent. If you see something you think you might want to watch, adding it to your watchlist ensures you don't forget about it before it potentially leaves the service.

Practical takeaway: Spend 15 minutes exploring the Paramount+ website or using their free trial (if available) to see whether the content appeals to you. Look specifically at original series and recent movies in genres you enjoy. If the catalog feels thin for your interests, it might not be the right service for your household.

Free Trial Options and How to Evaluate Plans

Paramount+ occasionally offers free trial periods to new subscribers, though the availability of these trials changes based on current company promotions. When trials are available, they typically last seven days, giving you a week to explore the service before committing to a paid subscription. However, because free trials aren't always offered, you shouldn't count on finding one. Check the official Paramount+ website to see what's currently being offered.

Get Your Free Valvoline Hours and Location Guide →