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While Netflix and Disney Plus battle it out in the streaming wars, you may have been sleeping on Paramount Plus. They have been streaming for a few years now, but until March 2021 it was known as CBS All Access. This on-demand content hub rebranded with gobs more shows and movies but, is Paramount Plus worth it?

We’ve taken a look at the exact price, discounts, programming, and exclusive content available on Paramount Plus so you can decide if paying the monthly fee makes sense to you.

And hey, since you’re money-conscious, you’re gonna want to download the KCL app to get the best deals and tips sent right to your phone.

 

Is Paramount Plus worth it for the cost?

A Paramount Plus banner with characters from different shows that can be streamed on the platform.

There are two different plans for Paramount Plus. Both of them give you access to exclusive content on the site, CBS News 24/7 coverage, and live sports. But beyond that, here are the differences:

  • The “Essential” plan costs $4.99/month (but has advertisements)
  • The “Premium” plan is $9.99/month for no ads, plus the ability to download up to 25 episodes of shows for later.

You can get a free trial for either of these Paramount Plus plans.

Note: Paramount Plus lets you pay for your plan on an annual basis instead of monthly. You’ll pay $49.99 a year for the Essential plan (16.4% off) and just $99.99 a year for the Premium plan (a 16.6% discount).

 

Is there a free trial for Paramount Plus?

a screenshot of the Paramount Plus free trial page.

You can answer the question, “Is Paramount Plus worth it?” yourself with a free 7-day trial. You’ll have to provide credit card info, but if you cancel before the end of the trial, you won’t have to pay.

If you’re interested in free streaming services trials, we’ve got a whole list of ’em.

 

What exclusive content is available on Paramount Plus?

A screenshot of the beginning of the alphabetical list of Paramount Plus original shows and movies.

Paramount Plus is home to a bunch of shows that aren’t available anywhere else, including 1883 (a Yellowstone prequel), Star Trek: Picard, and iCarly. Here are all the Paramount Plus exclusives you can watch:

  • 60 Seconds+
  • 1883
  • All Star Shore
  • Before I Forget
  • Behind the Music
  • Big Nate
  • Black Gold
  • Cecilia
  • Challenge All Stars
  • Clive Davis: Most Iconic Performers
  • Coyote
  • Dream Team
  • The Envoys
  • Evil
  • The Fairly Oddparents: Fairly Odder
  • For Heaven’s Sake
  • From Cradle to Stage
  • The Game
  • Ghislaine: Partner in Crime
  • The Good Fight
  • Guilty Party
  • Halo
  • The Harper House
  • Hip Hop My House
  • iCarly
  • Indivisible: Healing Hate
  • Ink Master
  • Inside the NFL
  • Interrogation
  • Kamp Koral
  • Mayor of Kingstown
  • Beavis and Butthead
  • Never Seen Again
  • No Activity
  • The Offer
  • One Dollar
  • Parot
  • Players
  • Queen of the University
  • The Real World: Homecoming
  • RuPaul: Drag Race All Stars
  • RuPaul: Drag Race All Stars Untucked
  • Rugrats
  • Seal Team
  • The Stand
  • Star Trek: Discovery
  • Star Trek: Picard
  • Star Trek: Prodigy
  • Star Trek: Short Treks
  • Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
  • Star Trek: Lower Decks
  • Strange Angel
  • Tell Me a Story
  • Texas 6
  • That Animal Rescue Show
  • The Thomas John Experiment
  • Tooning Out the News
  • The Twilight Zone
  • When You Least Expect it
  • Why Women Kill
  • Yo! Raps

 

Is Yellowstone on Paramount Plus?

A screenshot from the Yellowstone series page on the Peacock streaming website.

Looking to binge Kevin Costner’s hit TV show Yellowstone? While Paramount Plus does host the Yellowstone prequel 1883, and although Yellowstone is a Paramount property, they don’t have the original show available for streaming.

Paramount Plus’s competitor, Peacock TV, has the first four seasons available on their platform. And we’ll tell you all about why you should sign up for Peacock TV.

NOTE: Luckily, we know how you can watch Yellowstone for free.

 

What exclusive movies are available on Paramount Plus?

A screenshot of the Paramount Plus movie list.

Paramount Plus is where you can find all the Paramount Pictures movies, including these recent hits:

  • Top Gun: Maverick
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2
  • The Lost City
  • Transformers: Age of Extinction
  • Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins
  • Orphan
  • The Spongebob Movie

 

Can you watch live TV on Paramount Plus?

A person sitting on a couch with a blanket, holding a remote.

Yes, you can watch live TV on Paramount Plus. Paramount Plus has access to CBS local, CBSN, CBS Sports, and ET Live. Not every location has access to live TV, so make sure that your area has access when you’re using your free trial.

 

 

Does Paramount Plus have local channels?

Paramount Plus screenshot with a local news broadcast running

Yes, as part of Paramount Plus’ relaunch in 2021, viewers now have the option to view live broadcasts from their local CBS affiliates. And not just for local newscasts, either; whatever’s playing on your local CBS station will be playing on Paramount Plus live. So curl up and enjoy Dr. Phil later this afternoon.

 

What sports can you watch on Paramount Plus?

A man laying on a couch watching football on a laptop.

If you’re a sports fan, Paramount Plus has plenty of live and archived sports options for you to enjoy. Here’s a list of all the sports channels you can watch on Paramount Plus:

  • EUFA Champions League
  • Serie A
  • UEFA Europa League
  • NWSL
  • Combate Global
  • Fantasy Football Today
  • NFL on CBS
  • Masters Tournament
  • Big 3
  • SPFL

 

Are there any bundles you can get with Paramount Plus?

An iMac monitor displaying the Showtime website with a free trial button.

You can bundle Paramount Plus with Showtime for $11.99/month. If you got the Essential Plan and Showtime separately, you’d be paying $15.98. If you want both services, there’s no reason to pay 25% more; bundle ’em.

 

Which devices stream Paramount Plus?

A woman holding an Amazon Fire TV Stick in a store.

You can stream Paramount Plus on the following devices and platforms:

  • Apple TV
  • Apple iPhone
  • Apple iPad
  • Android TVs
  • Android smartphones
  • Android tablets
  • Google Chromecast
  • Amazon Fire TVs & Fire TV Stick
  • Facebook Portal TV
  • Sony PlayStations 4 and 5
  • Samsung TVs
  • Vizio Smart TVs
  • LG Smart TVs
  • Roku
  • Xbox One and Series X/S
  • Xfinity Flex.

 

Are there any special Paramount Plus discounts?

A student wearing a mask, holding up her ID card for Boise State University.

The only way to get this streaming service cheaper is via the Paramount Plus student discount — which is 25%. As long as you’re a verified current student, you’ll get the discount. We have lots more to say about this program, and answer all your questions.

Unfortunately, there are no teacher, military, or senior discounts. We do know every teacher discount, military discount, and senior discount you can get with your ID. (Plus, there are lots of other student freebies and discounts out there.)

 

Is Paramount Plus worth it compared to other streaming services?

A woman looking at the Paramount Plus website on a laptop.

Here’s the monthly cost of the various streaming services’ cheapest plans compared to Paramount Plus:

  • Peacock: $0/month
  • Paramount Plus: $4.99/month
  • Apple TV+: $4.99/month
  • Hulu: $6.99/month
  • Disney+: $7.99/month
  • Prime Video: $8.99/month (if purchased separately; $139/year with Prime membership)
  • Netflix: $9.99/month

While Paramount Plus might not be cheaper than Peacock (which is free at their base level), it’s one of the cheaper options out there when it comes to streaming digital content or watching live TV without paying for cable. Think about it — the Essential plan costs less per month than some 48-hour Amazon Video rentals.

 

 

Is Paramount Plus Worth It? CBS, Star Trek, MTV, & More