Updated October 11, 2023

Is Paramount Plus Worth It?

Read more about Paramount Plus
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Is Paramount+ a must-have streaming service? How does it differ from others? Find out its selling point, price, library, and more.

Paramount Plus (formerly CBS All Access) is a great option if you're a Star Trek and Comedy Central fan. It's also one of the fastest growing streaming services.

This streamer offers some solid deals for subscribers and a growing library of originals. To add up, it has a long list of movies and shows, sports events, and live news.

Do you have any subscriptions on other streaming platforms?

But, what's Paramount Plus exactly? What can you watch on it? What do you need to know before subscribing?

Let's s take a closer look.

What Is Paramount Plus?

In short, Paramount Plus is a streaming service launched around six years ago. The service recently underwent a glow-up. And now is a valid competitor to streaming giants like Netflix and HBO Max.

What did this transformation entail?

As a start, they changed the name to a more familiar one. But, the comeback offers more than just a name. Paramount has a lot in store for TV shows and film lovers.

Paramount Pictures' library, cult favorites, and shows from Nickelodeon, MTV, and Comedy Central are part of the new Paramount Plus.

So, what's staying the same? Here are a few things:

  • Livestream of CBS stations
  • Exclusive original TV shows
  • Access to a library full of on-demand TV shows

What Can I Watch on Paramount+?

As soon as you open Paramount+, you're greeted with nostalgia:

  • Comedy Central stand-up specials
  • SpongeBob SquarePants (childhood time machine!)
  • Star Trek
  • The Brady Bunch
  • 90210
  • CSI: Miami
  • Everybody Hates Chris

There are a few promises you may be looking forward to when considering the Paramount+ subscription. We're still waiting for "South Park" to make its way onto the service, so the nostalgia can reel us in for real. Yet, this still has a few good years to go, as the company announced its streaming exclusively as of 2025.

But, the main reason why anyone subscribes to a streaming service is the shows you can watch.

So, here's the list of the best movies to watch and TV shows to binge on Paramount+.

Best Movies to Watch on Paramount Plus

Among the lengthy list, some movies you can watch on Paramount+ are:

  • Next of Kin
  • Interstellar
  • The Godfather
  • Infinite
  • Scream
  • Wrath of Man
  • Sonic the Hedgehog
  • Georgetown
  • Jackass Forever
  • The SpongeBob Movie
  • How It Ends
  • South Park: Post Covid
  • Clifford the Big Red Dog

Best Shows to Watch on Paramount Plus

If you're a fan of the "old but gold" genre and you're looking for your next binge-watch, you won't be disappointed. This genre is Paramount Plus' main attraction.

Let's get the party started with some hit Paramount+ originals. And, the closest you're getting to a time machine: a list of the best shows to watch on Paramount Plus.

  • Mayor of Kingstown
  • Halo
  • iCarly
  • Avatar: The Last Airbender
  • 1883
  • Star Trek: Picard
  • Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years
  • Star Trek: Discovery
  • SEAL Team
  • Ink Master
  • Evil
  • Younger

How Much Does Paramount Plus Cost?

If you're okay with ads, Paramount's mighty library can be accessed for as little as $5.99 per month with the Essential plan. But, you'll have to pay double for an ad-free version that includes:

  • 4K
  • Dolby Vision
  • HDR
  • CBS live stream

Compared to its competitors, Paramount Plus is at an advantage in terms of pricing. The difference is not enormous. But it can be 10%-50% depending on which streaming service you compare it to.

Although it will take Paramount Plus years to catch up to Netflix's library, the pricing does not compare. With Paramount+, you're paying $11.99 for 4K streaming. As for Netflix, that price is at a steep $19.99 per month,[1] making it double.

Yearly vs. Monthly prices
This is how prices compare with Paramount Plus plans:[2]

  • Ad-free Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME at $11.99/month
  • Ad-supported Paramount Plus Essential at $5.99/month
  • Annual Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME is $119.99/year
  • Annual Paramount Plus Essential is $59.99/year

Paramount Plus Vs The Competition

Although Paramount+ is relatively new to the game. It is not yet ready to compete with industry giants, such as Netflix which (owns around 20% of the video-on-demand industry market share). But this streaming service does hold its value. Some of us are sold on SpongeBob alone.

Paramount+ is no longer storing just a few originals and CBS reruns. It does have a fair shot compared to other streaming devices. However, in the streaming biz, Paramount+ is still an amateur, yet to make its name in years to come before it compares to other household names in the industry.

What factor is the most important for you in a streaming platform?

Considering everything, here is how a few main features compare.

Paramount+NetflixDisney PlusHBO MaxHulu
Price$5.99/$11.99$6.99/$15.49/$19.99$13.99; Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ bundle $14.99/$24.99$9.99/$14.99$7.99/$17.99
TV Shows30,000+1,800+190+580+1,650+
Movies2,500+3,600+500+2000+2,500+
SpecialtyFan favoritesOld favorites/Originals/New contentClassics/Animation classicsOriginal content/High-profile TV ShowsOriginal content/TV Shows

What Devices Does Paramount Plus Support?

You can access the site on your PC, app, or clicking on paramountplus.com. These are the devices you can watch Paramount+ on:

  • Apple TV
  • iPhone and iPad
  • Android TV
  • Android phone and tablet
  • Chromecast
  • Fire TV
  • Portal TV
  • PlayStation 4
  • Samsung TV
  • Vizio TV
  • LG TV
  • Roku
  • Xbox
  • Xfinity Flex and X1
  • Cox Contour box

Where is Paramount Plus Available?

Not every service can compare to Netflix in availability, considering it is available in over 190 countries.[3] As of April 2022, Paramount+ is available in 26 countries, mainly in the Americas. Here is a list of all countries it is available in, divided by region.

Europe:
Denmark
Finland
Norway
Sweden

North America:
Canada
Mexico
United States

South America:
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
Venezuela

Asia & Pacific:
Australia

How Do I Sign Up for Paramount Plus?

When signing up for Paramount+, you might use few devices. If you are using mobile or computer web, you'll want to do the next steps:

  • Go to paramountplus.com and click on TRY IT FREE
  • Choose a subscription plan and click "Continue"
  • Create an account
  • Enter payment information and click "Start Paramount+"

Note: You won't be charged until your free trial ends.

Here's a helpful video if you're having any trouble understanding the process:

For other devices, read below.

iPhone, iPad, Android Phone, or Tablet
Similar to the process above, here are a few simple steps:

  • Launch Paramount+
  • Click "Sign Up," choose a subscriptions plan, and "Continue"
  • Create an account
  • Tap "Subscribe," and you'll be prompted to complete the purchase with App Store/Google Play

TVs
Depending on the smart TV at hand, the process will differ slightly. Anyway, here are a few ground rules:

  • Launch Paramount+
  • Click "Sign Up" and choose a subscription plan
  • Create an account/enter a pin/confirm your purchase
  • Return home and enjoy Paramount+

For specific info on each TV, you can check out the Paramount+ article, How can I sign up for Paramount.

What the Experts Think About Paramount+

For Paramount+, experts agree fans will find comfort in their favorite shows. The price compares well to the competition. Whether you're a Trekkie or just looking for some old comfort show, you'll be sure to find it.

In the evolving and very competitive streaming market, Netflix and its cousins—HBO Max, Peacock, Amazon Prime, and Hulu—do way better delivering excitement with original brand-new content. But, Paramount+ doesn't disappoint. Considering some fan favorites, like the Yellowstone Spinoff, Evil, Halo, and the SpongeBob movie.

This streaming service can be a hit or a miss, depending on the viewer. For a fair comparison, you'd have to give it a year or two to see if Paramount+ can reel us in with exclusive (new) content.

Other FAQs

Can I share a Paramount+ account with friends and family?
Yes, you can. Paramount+ allows six profiles to be created and three simultaneous streams.

Are Paramount Plus shows/movies in 4K?
With the $11.99 ad-free option, you can stream Paramount+ in 4K.

Does Paramount+ have commercials?
The free trial contains ads, and so does the essential plan at $5.99 per month and the TV streaming. The premium version is ad-free. Select shows on the premium version do have occasional promotional interruptions.

Does Paramount Plus have live TV?
Yes, you can watch CBS, CBSN, CBS Sports HQ, and ET Live.

Is Paramount Plus free on Xfinity?
No, it is not free. Just as on any device, you need to sign up and pay for a subscription.

Does Paramount Plus have parental controls?
Yes, it does. You can add a pin to block any shows you wish.

So, Is Paramount Plus Worth It?

Paramount Plus may be a nostalgic streaming service, but is it worth a subscription?

Millennials can be reeled into this streaming service by the access to Nickelodeon alone. This channel brings them back to childhood. Add Comedy Central to the list and you have a whole generation's memories in one streaming service.

With many classics missing or having their rights sold to other streaming services, is it enough to keep subscribers interested?

Honestly, we have no definitive answer. Compared to other streaming giants, you're not exactly getting the creme-de-la-creme by subscribing to this service. On the other hand, Netflix's ever-growing library, along with HBO Max and Amazon Prime, can beat Paramount+ for the time being.

You can always try the seven-day free trial and see if it is something you want to commit to. It can't hurt, can it?

References

  1. ^ Netflix. Plans and Pricing, Retrieved 6/9/2022
  2. ^ Paramount. What plans are available for Paramount+, and how much do they cost?, Retrieved 10/12/2023
  3. ^ Netflix. Where is Netflix available, Retrieved 6/9/2022

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