Paramount Plus Monthly Cost— All Plans, What’s Included, and Whether It’s Worth It

Paramount+ has gone through multiple rebrands and plan restructurings since launching as CBS All Access, making it genuinely confusing to track what you’re actually paying for. As of March 2026, the standard paramount plus monthly cost is $8.99 for the Essential plan (with ads) and $13.99 for the Premium plan (ad-free with Showtime). However, through March 31, 2026, new and returning subscribers can take advantage of a limited-time “March Madness” promotion offering either plan for just $2.99 per month for the first two months.

Paramount+ offers two main tiers: Essential at $5.99/month (with ads) and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME at $11.99/month (ad-free plus SHOWTIME content). Annual plans reduce these costs by roughly 20%.

Current Pricing (2024)

*Prices subject to change; verify at paramountplus.com*

What Each Plan Includes

Essential ($5.99/month)

• Live CBS in most markets (local affiliate)
• NFL on CBS games (live)
• NCAA sports
• Full Paramount+ streaming library: Star Trek series, Yellowstone (some), SpongeBob, original films
• MTV, Comedy Central, BET content
• Does NOT include: SHOWTIME content, ad-free viewing

Paramount+ with SHOWTIME ($11.99/month)

Everything in Essential, plus:

• Full SHOWTIME library (Billions, Yellowjackets, The Affair, Dexter, and the entire SHOWTIME catalog)
• Ad-free viewing of Paramount+ content
• Paramount+ original movies without ads
• Note: Some live content (sports) still carries ads even on this tier

Bundle Options That May Offer Better Value

Paramount+ is available through several bundles that can make it cheaper:

Check your existing subscriptions – Paramount+ may already be included.

Is Paramount+ Worth It? Honest Assessment

Best case for subscribing:

• You watch NFL on CBS and want to stream games
• You’re a Star Trek fan (the content here is genuinely strong)
• You want SHOWTIME content without paying for Showtime separately ($10.99/month standalone)
• You’re a Yellowstone franchise fan
• Kids content (SpongeBob, Avatar: The Last Airbender, etc.)

Case against:

• The library is thinner than Netflix or Max for general entertainment
• The interface has been criticized for being clunky
• Content overlap with other services is significant
• Ad interruptions on the Essential tier are frequent compared to competitors

The SHOWTIME comparison: Paramount+ with SHOWTIME at $11.99 is the same as SHOWTIME’s standalone streaming price. You’re effectively getting Paramount+ free if you want SHOWTIME anyway – which is good value.

Sports: The Hidden Value Driver

For sports fans, Paramount+ has legitimate live sports value that often goes underappreciated:

If you don’t have cable and want to watch these sports, $5.99/month for Essential is genuinely competitive.

Cancellation and Free Trial

Paramount+ typically offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Cancellation can be done at any time through account settings – no penalty. The service does not auto-renew with a notice period; it charges at renewal unless you cancel.

Bottom Line: The Verdict

Paramount+ is worth it if: you watch NFL on CBS, Champions League soccer, Star Trek, or want SHOWTIME content at a bundled rate. It’s not worth it if you’re looking for a deep general entertainment library comparable to Netflix or HBO Max. At $5.99/month for Essential, it’s one of the cheaper streaming services and defensible purely on the NFL streaming value during football season. The SHOWTIME bundle at $11.99 is smart value if you’d pay for SHOWTIME anyway. Outside those use cases, content quality may disappoint casual browsers.