Paramount+ is a subscription streaming service owned by Paramount Skydance, combining live CBS coverage, NFL and UEFA soccer, Nickelodeon kids’ content, and Showtime originals under one platform. It operates across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
The service offers two plans: a lower-cost Essential tier with ads and an $11.99/month Showtime plan that removes most ads and adds local CBS live streaming and offline downloads. Yellowstone seasons live on Peacock, but 1923 and Tulsa King are Paramount+ exclusives. The Showtime integration eliminated the need for a separate subscription. Walmart+ members get the Essential plan at no extra charge.
The platform delivers clear value for sports fans, families with young children, and cord-cutters replacing cable CBS. App performance has improved since its CBS All Access days, though the interface still trails Netflix and Disney+. This review covers every plan, feature, and limitation so the decision is easy.
What Is Paramount+?
Paramount+ is a subscription video on-demand streaming service owned by Paramount Skydance, drawing content from CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Pictures, the Smithsonian Channel, and Showtime. The platform combines live sports, breaking news, and a vast on-demand library under one subscription. It operates across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just another streaming app. The platform carries Paramount Pictures films, original series, and live CBS programming. Major franchises like Mission: Impossible, Indiana Jones, and Transformers are part of the on-demand catalog. And for families, kids’ content from Nickelodeon including SpongeBob SquarePants and Paw Patrol is a genuine core strength.
Content Networks on Paramount+:
- CBS (live and on-demand)
- Nickelodeon
- MTV
- Comedy Central
- BET
- Paramount Pictures
- Smithsonian Channel
- Showtime (premium plan)
Paramount+ targets three distinct audiences. Families with children benefit from the full Nickelodeon library. Sports fans access NFL on CBS and UEFA soccer. Action and crime drama fans find the CBS back catalog and Paramount originals like Tulsa King and Halo.
Is Paramount+ the Same as CBS All Access?
Paramount+ was previously CBS All Access, launched on October 28, 2014, before rebranding to expand beyond CBS programming to the full Paramount Skydance content library. The rebrand wasn’t just cosmetic. CBS All Access initially focused on live CBS streaming and CBS on-demand content only.
After the rebrand, the service added Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures content. Showtime was later integrated, eliminating the need for a separate Showtime subscription. The expanded scope made Paramount+ a more competitive all-in-one streaming offering.
Who Owns Paramount+?
Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Skydance, the company formed from the merger of Skydance Media and Paramount Global, a major American multimedia entertainment conglomerate. Paramount Skydance controls a portfolio of brands including CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and Paramount Pictures. The parent company has operations spanning film, television, and digital streaming.
And the reach is genuinely global. Paramount Skydance operates Paramount+ across Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. In certain markets, the service runs under joint ventures or partnerships with regional media companies.
What Are the Paramount+ Plans and Prices?
Paramount+ offers two main subscription tiers: an Essential plan at a lower ad-supported price and a Paramount+ with Showtime plan priced at $11.99/month or $119.99/year. Both plans include live sports and on-demand content access. The primary differences are ad load, Showtime content access, local CBS streaming, and download capability.
Paramount+ Plan Comparison:
| Feature | Essential | With Showtime |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Lower (ad-supported) | $11.99/month |
| Annual price | Lower tier | $119.99/year |
| Ads | Yes | Mostly removed |
| Showtime content | No | Yes |
| Live local CBS | No | Yes |
| Offline downloads | No | Yes |
| NFL on CBS | Yes | Yes |
| UEFA soccer | Yes | Yes |
The Essential plan includes ads and provides NFL on CBS, UEFA soccer, CBS News Network 24/7, and the full on-demand library. It doesn’t include Showtime content, local CBS live streaming, or offline downloads. This plan suits sports fans and casual viewers on a budget.
The good news? The annual Paramount+ with Showtime subscription at $119.99 saves approximately $23.89 (around 16%) compared to monthly billing at $143.88 per year. Annual billing suits subscribers committed to the platform long-term. Month-to-month billing offers flexibility with no contract lock-in.
Is Paramount+ Included With Walmart Plus?
Yes. Paramount+ Essential is included with Walmart+ membership at no additional charge, giving Walmart+ subscribers streaming access without a separate Paramount+ subscription fee. Walmart+ is a membership service that includes grocery delivery, fuel discounts, and now streaming access. For existing Walmart+ members, this represents significant added value on top of their existing benefits.
In fact, for regular Walmart shoppers already paying for Walmart+ membership, the included Paramount+ Essential effectively costs nothing extra. The bundle makes Paramount+ one of the most accessible streaming options for value-conscious households. Subscribers who want the Paramount+ with Showtime tier must pay separately for the upgrade.
Does Paramount+ Offer a Free Trial?
Paramount+ has historically offered 7-day free trials, though trial availability varies by promotion period and isn’t always active across all regions or sign-up channels. Free trial access isn’t guaranteed year-round and depends on current marketing promotions. Checking the official Paramount+ site at sign-up is the most reliable way to confirm current trial availability.
So, there’s more than one way to lower the cost. Paramount+ runs periodic promotional deals including discounted first-month pricing, bundle savings through partners like Walmart+ and Apple TV channels, and discounts for students, teachers, and military personnel. Partner channels such as Amazon Prime Video Channels sometimes offer their own separate promotional access periods.
What Shows and Movies Does Paramount+ Have?
Paramount+ hosts a broad library of TV shows from CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, and Showtime, plus a deep catalog of Paramount Pictures films spanning drama, action, and family genres. The on-demand library spans decades of content across multiple brand networks. New Paramount theatrical releases also land on the platform after their cinema runs.
The TV library includes long-running CBS favorites like NCIS and Survivor, Nickelodeon staples like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and Showtime originals. The film catalog covers Chinatown, Sunset Boulevard, Saving Private Ryan, The Truman Show, Almost Famous, and Raiders of the Lost Ark alongside modern titles.
Notable Paramount+ Originals:
- Halo
- 1923
- Tulsa King
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
- The Chi
- RuPaul’s Drag Race exclusives
Here’s the part most people miss: these originals aren’t available on any competing streaming platform. That exclusivity is a real differentiator for subscribers deciding between services.
Is Yellowstone on Paramount+?
Yellowstone seasons are currently available on Peacock rather than Paramount+, due to licensing arrangements made before Paramount+ expanded its streaming strategy. But here’s what that actually means for fans: the spinoff series 1923 is a Paramount+ original exclusive. Fans of the Yellowstone universe can access 1923 directly on Paramount+.
Paramount+ carries other Western and crime dramas that appeal to the same audience. Tulsa King, starring Sylvester Stallone, is a Paramount+ exclusive with a similar tone to Yellowstone. The platform continues developing content targeting the Western drama fanbase that made Yellowstone a cultural phenomenon.
Does Paramount+ Include Showtime Content?
Yes. Showtime content is fully integrated into the Paramount+ with Showtime plan; Showtime no longer operates as a standalone app and its full programming library now lives within the Paramount+ platform. This means subscribers don’t need to pay for a separate Showtime subscription to access its content. Showtime’s transition into Paramount+ was completed as part of a deliberate consolidation strategy by Paramount Skydance.
And it gets better: Showtime content on Paramount+ includes scripted hit series, critically acclaimed documentaries, nonfiction projects, and premium films. Boxing matches and MMA events previously on Showtime are also accessible through the Paramount+ with Showtime plan. This makes the combined platform a strong value for subscribers who previously paid for both services separately.
What Sports Does Paramount+ Stream?
Paramount+ streams NFL games on CBS, UEFA Champions League and Europa League soccer, college basketball, golf, women’s soccer, and select MMA and boxing events from Showtime across both its Essential and Showtime subscription plans. Sports coverage is available on both plan tiers, though the Showtime plan adds local CBS live access for additional broadcasts. The breadth of sports content distinguishes Paramount+ from Netflix and Disney+, neither of which carries live sports at the same scale.
Sports Available on Paramount+:
- NFL on CBS (regular season and playoffs)
- UEFA Champions League soccer
- UEFA Europa League soccer
- College basketball
- Golf
- Women’s soccer
- MMA (Showtime plan)
- Boxing (Showtime plan)
Here’s why this matters: even the Essential plan, the lower-cost tier, includes NFL and UEFA streaming. This makes Paramount+ one of the more affordable entry points for live sports streaming. Subscribers on the Essential plan access sports without paying for the full premium plan.
Does Paramount+ Carry Local CBS Channels?
Local CBS live streaming is available exclusively on the Paramount+ with Showtime plan; subscribers on the Essential plan do not receive access to their local CBS affiliate feed. The live local CBS stream provides real-time access to the local affiliate’s broadcast signal. It’s the same feed that cable subscribers receive from their CBS local channel.
To be clear, the local CBS live feed unlocks access to local news, primetime CBS shows as they air, and all CBS-broadcast sporting events including NFL playoff games, Masters golf coverage, and the NCAA Tournament. Cord-cutters who want to replace cable CBS access need the Showtime-tier plan to match that experience.
What Devices Can You Watch Paramount+ On?
Paramount+ runs on most major streaming devices including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, smart TVs from Samsung and LG, gaming consoles (PlayStation and Xbox), iOS devices, Android devices, and web browsers. The wide device compatibility means most households can access the service without purchasing new hardware. App performance has improved significantly since the early CBS All Access era.
Compatible Devices:
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Chromecast
- Samsung and LG smart TVs
- PlayStation (PS4, PS5)
- Xbox
- iOS (iPhone and iPad)
- Android phones and tablets
- Web browsers (PC and Mac)
Paramount+ supports multiple simultaneous streams per account. The exact number of concurrent streams depends on the subscription plan. The Paramount+ with Showtime plan offers more simultaneous viewing sessions than the Essential plan, making it better suited for larger households.
Can You Download Shows on Paramount+?
Offline downloads are available exclusively on the Paramount+ with Showtime plan; subscribers on the Essential plan cannot save content for offline viewing. The download feature is built into the iOS and Android apps. Content downloaded to a mobile device remains accessible without an active internet connection for a limited period before expiring.
Think of it this way: the download feature suits commuters, frequent travelers, and users in areas with unreliable internet access. Shows and movies saved offline play back through the Paramount+ app with no streaming required. Essential plan subscribers who need offline viewing must upgrade to the Showtime plan to unlock this functionality.
What Do Paramount+ Reviews Say?
Paramount+ receives generally positive reviews for its sports coverage, live CBS access, Nickelodeon kids’ content, and competitive pricing relative to other major streaming platforms. Technology outlets including Business Insider and CNET rate the service as good value, particularly for families and sports fans. The app has improved meaningfully since its CBS All Access days and now receives fewer performance complaints than in prior years.
What’s more, industry reviews consistently highlight the NFL and UEFA soccer access as a top differentiator. Reviewers note that the Showtime integration added significant value to the premium plan without requiring a separate subscription fee. The kids’ content from Nickelodeon draws consistent praise from parents of young children.
What Are the Common Complaints About Paramount+?
The most common Paramount+ complaints center on the app interface needing improvement, limited subtitle and dubbing options particularly in Spanish, and occasional playback or loading issues on certain devices. User reviews from app stores and streaming forums cite navigation as less intuitive than Netflix or Disney+. Some international viewers report frustration with the limited non-English subtitle coverage.
Bottom line: content depth outside Paramount+’s core strengths is a recurring criticism. Outside of sports, CBS content, Nickelodeon, and Showtime, the library is thinner than Netflix or HBO Max. Subscribers seeking a deep catalog of international drama or prestige television may find the offering less satisfying than competing platforms.
How Does Paramount+ Compare to Netflix and Disney+?
Paramount+ is priced below Netflix and offers live sports and live news that Netflix does not carry, making it a complementary service for sports fans rather than a direct Netflix replacement. Netflix leads in overall breadth and prestige drama. Paramount+ leads in live sports access, CBS content, and Nickelodeon franchises for families.
Streaming Service Comparison:
| Feature | Paramount+ | Netflix | Disney+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live sports | Yes (NFL, UEFA) | No | Limited |
| Live news | Yes (CBS News) | No | No |
| Kids content | Nickelodeon | Broad | Disney, Pixar |
| Prestige drama | Showtime | Strong | Limited |
| Price tier | Lower | Higher | Similar |
By comparison, Disney+ targets a very different primary audience. Disney+ dominates for Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars content. Paramount+ counters with Nickelodeon properties, action dramas, and Showtime integration. Many subscribers hold both services simultaneously because they serve different household needs.
And this is where it gets interesting: HBO Max carries a stronger prestige drama library than Paramount+, but the two platforms aren’t really competing for the same viewer. HBO Max’s strength lies in critically acclaimed scripted series and Warner Bros. theatrical releases. Paramount+ differentiates with live sports, local CBS access, and Showtime content.
Is Paramount+ Worth the Price?
Yes. Paramount+ delivers best value for NFL and UEFA soccer fans, households with children who watch Nickelodeon regularly, and cord-cutters seeking live CBS access without a cable subscription. For these audiences, the pricing is competitive and the content directly addresses their primary viewing needs. The Walmart+ bundle makes the Essential plan effectively free for existing Walmart+ members.
Short answer: if you’re a sports fan, a parent of young kids, or a former cable subscriber missing CBS, Paramount+ is worth it. Subscribers seeking a deep prestige drama catalog or extensive international content will find Netflix or HBO Max serve those needs better. The optimal Paramount+ subscriber sees Showtime as a bonus, not the main draw.
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