Once just a niche corner for CBS loyalists, Paramount+ has evolved into a heavy hitter for movie buffs, TV bingers, and sports die-hards alike. Better yet, it remains one of the few bargains left in the streaming wars, with plans starting at a wallet-friendly $8.99 a month.
Rising from the ashes of CBS All Access in 2021, the service has quietly muscled its way into the top tier of streamers. Think of it as the ultimate Paramount warehouse: you get procedural comfort food like Criminal Minds, Taylor Sheridan’s latest grip on the zeitgeist (Landman, 1923), and massive blockbusters like Top Gun. Throw in the NFL, Champions League, and UFC, and your weekends are booked. If you upgrade to Premium, you even get Showtime (hello, Yellowjackets) and live CBS access.
Ready to subscribe? We’ve got the full dossier below on pricing, plans, and the must-watch library. We’ll also give you the lowdown on the recent price hike and what that new UFC deal actually means for your viewing schedule.
What are the Paramount Plus plans?
Paramount+ keeps things refreshingly simple with two main tiers.
Essential: Consider this your entry-level ticket. You get the massive on-demand library (40,000+ titles) and marquee sports like the NFL and UFC. The trade-off? You’ll have to sit through some commercials. But with three simultaneous streams allowed, it’s still a solid deal.
Premium: Ready for the upgrade? Formerly known as the mouthful “Paramount+ with Showtime,” this tier is the full VIP experience. It scrubs the ads, unlocks the entire Showtime catalog, and lets you download shows for offline viewing. Crucially, it also hands you a 24/7 live feed of your local CBS station. Same three-device limit, just a much smoother ride.
How much is Paramount Plus?
As of February 13th, 2026, the price tags got a makeover and yes, they went up. It’s the first hike since 2024, tacking on an extra buck or so a month. Here is where things stand now:
- Essential: $8.99/mo ($89.99/yr).
- Premium: $13.99/mo ($139.99/yr).
Is Paramount Plus included with Walmart Plus?
Already paying for Walmart+ ($12.95/mo or $98/yr)? You get a streaming freebie. Members now face a choice: Paramount+ Essential or Peacock Premium.
The cool part? You aren’t locked in forever. You can swap between the two services every 90 days. It’s a solid way to sneak a streaming subscription into your grocery budget and if you get bored, you can just trade it in for the other app.
Does Paramount Plus have a free trial?
Bad news for the commitment-phobic: Paramount+ has officially killed the free trial.
Gone are the days of the 7-day test drive. As of early 2026, the streamer decided that if you want to watch, you’ve got to pay up immediately. So much for “try before you buy.”
What devices can I use to watch Paramount Plus?
Paramount+ isn’t picky. Whether you’re on the subway or glued to the couch, the app plays nice with just about every screen you own- phones, smart TVs, streaming sticks, and even your gaming rig.
The All-Star Lineup:
- Mobile: iOS & Android
- TV: Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, Samsung, LG
- Gaming: PS5 & Xbox
You can check the support site for the full roster, but here’s the fine print: keep your gear updated. If you’re still clinging to an ancient operating system (like anything older than iOS 16), you’re going to need a software patch before you can hit play.
Can you download on Paramount Plus?
Paramount+ Premium lets you stockpile movies and shows for flights, road trips, or just spotty Wi-Fi days. It’s the ultimate boredom insurance.
Just a heads-up: this is a VIP-only feature. Essential subscribers are stuck streaming live. Oh, and you’ll need a device that isn’t a dinosaur, think iOS 16+ or Android 6+, to hit that download button.
What shows and movies are on Paramount Plus?
Paramount+ is basically the “Taylor Sheridan and CBS Warehouse,” but it’s packed with enough heavy hitters to keep your watchlist overflowing.
Nostalgia & Comedy: It’s the streaming home for South Park (yes, all 28 seasons), SpongeBob, and Broad City. RuPaul’s Drag Race fans, take note: you’ll have to wait until the full season wraps on MTV before it hits the app.
The CBS Catch-Up: Missed Survivor or NCIS live? No sweat. This is the only place to stream new CBS episodes the very next day. From Tracker to Ghosts, if it aired last night, it’s here this morning.
The “Sheridan-verse”: Welcome to the house that Taylor Sheridan built. You get Landman, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, and Lioness.
The Yellowstone Confusion: Here’s the kicker- while you get all the prequels (1883, 1923) and the upcoming The Madison, the actual Yellowstone series is crashing on Peacock’s couch due to old licensing deals. We know, it makes no sense.
Paramount+ doesn’t make you wait long for the blockbusters. Fresh releases like The Running Man and Roofman land here right after their theatrical run. Plus, the back catalog is deep, think the entire Mission: Impossible franchise alongside borrowed hits like The Martian.
Upgrading to Premium isn’t just about losing ads; it’s about gaining Showtime. You get heavyweights like Billions, Dexter, and Yellowjackets. Best of all? You often get to be the cool kid who watches episodes of Yellowjackets or Dexter: Resurrection days before they actually air on TV.
What sports are on Paramount Plus?
Regardless of your tier, you get a front-row seat to the NFL on CBS and the Champions League. But if you upgrade to Premium, you unlock the holy grail: a live feed of your local CBS station. That means March Madness and The Masters are yours to stream live, no cable required.
In a massive shake-up, Paramount+ snatched the UFC rights from ESPN starting in 2026. And here is the part that will make fight fans faint: The Pay-Per-View era is dead.
Does Paramount Plus have any bundles?
While the rest of the streaming world is busy coupling up (we see you, Disney bundle), Paramount+ is strictly riding solo.
Unlike its peers, who love to mash up Hulu, Max, and Peacock into discount franken-bundles Paramount+ doesn’t play nice with others. The only “bundle” it ever really had was with Showtime, and well… that relationship got so serious they just got married and merged into one app. So for now, you’re buying it à la carte.
Is Paramount+ worth the deal?
Paramount+ is arguably the best bang for your buck in streaming. You’re getting the entire Taylor Sheridan universe, a mountain of movies, and enough live sports to make you question why you still have cable. And honestly? The fact that they threw in the entire UFC calendar without the Pay-Per-View fees feels like a glitch in the matrix.
Ready to watch? Sign up for Paramount+ here and start streaming.
