In the ever-expanding world of streaming services, Paramount+ has emerged as a significant player, offering a vast array of content to viewers. This platform, launched by ViacomCBS, has been making waves in the entertainment industry with its diverse selection of shows, movies, and original productions. As more consumers seek alternatives to traditional cable TV, the question arises: Is Paramount+ worth it?
This review delves into the key aspects of Paramount+ to help potential subscribers make an informed decision. We’ll explore the content library, examining the paramount plus shows and best movies on paramount plus. We’ll also break down the paramount plus subscription options, including the paramount plus free trial, and answer the question “how much is paramount plus?” Additionally, we’ll evaluate the streaming experience, paramount plus channels, and weigh the pros and cons to determine if Paramount+ is the right choice for your viewing needs.
Content Library Overview
Paramount+ offers a diverse and extensive content library that caters to a wide range of viewers. The streaming service boasts an impressive collection of TV shows, movies, original programming, and live sports, making it a compelling choice for entertainment enthusiasts.
TV Shows
Paramount+ houses a vast array of television programming, featuring both classic and contemporary series. The platform includes popular shows from the CBS library, as well as content from other Paramount Global networks. Viewers can enjoy a variety of genres, including drama, comedy, science fiction, and reality TV.
Some notable TV shows available on Paramount+ include:
- “The Good Fight”: A legal drama that ran for six seasons
- “Star Trek: Discovery”: A science fiction series with five seasons
- “Mayor of Kingstown”: A crime thriller with three seasons
- “Wolf Pack”: A supernatural teen drama
- “School Spirits”: Another supernatural teen drama recently renewed for a second season
Movies
Paramount+ offers a rich selection of movies, including both new releases and classic films from the Paramount Pictures library. The platform regularly updates its movie catalog, providing subscribers with a diverse range of options.
Some of the movies available on Paramount+ include:
- “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run”: An animated comedy
- “Infinite”: A science fiction action thriller
- “Jerry & Marge Go Large”: A comedy
- “Pet Sematary: Bloodlines”: A supernatural horror film
- “The Tiger’s Apprentice”: An animated action-adventure
Original Programming
Paramount+ has invested heavily in original content, producing exclusive series and movies for its platform. These originals span various genres and formats, from dramas and comedies to animated shows and documentaries.
Some notable Paramount+ original productions include:
- “Star Trek: Picard”: A science fiction series that recently concluded its third and final season
- “1883”: A neo-Western drama miniseries
- “Halo”: A military science fiction series based on the popular video game franchise
- “Tulsa King”: A drama series starring Sylvester Stallone
- “Special Ops: Lioness”: A spy drama recently renewed for a second season
Live Sports
For sports enthusiasts, Paramount+ offers live streaming of various sporting events. The platform provides access to:
- NFL on CBS
- UEFA Champions League
- CBS Sports Golazo Network
- The PGA Tour
- B1G Football
- March Madness®
These live sports offerings are available with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, providing subscribers with a comprehensive sports viewing experience.
With its extensive content library spanning TV shows, movies, original programming, and live sports, Paramount+ aims to offer something for every viewer. The platform continues to expand its offerings, regularly adding new content and investing in original productions to keep subscribers engaged and entertained.
Pricing and Plans
Paramount+ offers a range of subscription options to cater to different viewer preferences and budgets. The streaming service recently underwent some changes in its pricing structure, making it essential for potential subscribers to understand the available plans.
Essential Plan
The Paramount+ Essential plan is the more affordable option, priced at USD 7.99 per month or USD 59.99 per year. This plan provides access to over 40,000 episodes and movies with limited commercial interruptions. It’s important to note that this tier recently saw a price increase from USD 4.99 to USD 7.99 per month. Despite the price hike, it remains relatively inexpensive compared to other streaming services.
Key features of the Essential plan include:
- Access to a vast library of content
- Limited commercial interruptions
- NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League available via separate live feeds
- Three simultaneous streams
However, subscribers should be aware that this plan does not include access to local live CBS stations or offline downloads for mobile viewing.
Premium Plan
For those seeking a more comprehensive experience, Paramount+ offers a Premium plan. This tier is priced at USD 12.99 per month or USD 119.99 per year. The Premium plan provides a commercial-free viewing experience for most on-demand content, with a few exceptions such as live TV and select shows.
Benefits of the Premium plan include:
- Ad-free streaming of over 40,000 episodes and movies
- Access to local live CBS stations
- Offline downloads for mobile viewing (excluding certain shows from Comedy Central, BET, MTV, Smithsonian, and Nickelodeon)
- 4K resolution content
- Support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision on compatible devices
Paramount+ with Showtime
The Paramount+ with Showtime plan combines the best of both worlds, offering Paramount+ content alongside Showtime programming. This plan is priced at USD 12.99 per month or USD 119.99 per year, representing a 35% savings compared to subscribing to Paramount+ and Showtime separately.
Key features of this plan include:
- Ad-free streaming of Paramount+ content (except for live TV and a few shows)
- Access to award-winning Showtime programming
- Over 31,000 hours of content
- Live channels including CBS, CBSN, CBS Sports HQ, ET Live, and two live Showtime feeds
- Three simultaneous streams
It’s worth noting that Paramount+ offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers, allowing them to test the service before committing to a subscription. Additionally, promotional codes are occasionally available, offering extended trial periods of up to 30 days.
As of August 20, 2024, Paramount+ has implemented price changes for new subscribers, with existing subscribers seeing the changes take effect on September 20. These adjustments reflect the platform’s ongoing efforts to provide competitive pricing while expanding its content offerings.
Streaming Experience
User Interface
Paramount+ offers a user-friendly interface that aligns with industry standards. The platform’s layout is reminiscent of other popular streaming services, featuring a large carousel of featured content at the top, followed by a menu of major Paramount brands such as CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Smithsonian Channel. Users can easily access their personalized “My List” row, which displays shows and movies they’ve added for future viewing.
The interface includes genre groupings and interest collections, such as Drama Shows and Trending Movies, to help users discover new content. Navigation is straightforward, with sections for Search, Home, Shows, Movies, Live TV, News, Brands, and My List. These categories are accessible either through a left-side menu or a burger button icon at the top, depending on the device.
One standout feature is the A-Z listings for both Movies and Shows sections, which provides a helpful way to browse the entire catalog alphabetically. This feature sets Paramount+ apart from some competitors and enhances the overall user experience.
The playback interface includes standard features such as basic playback and volume controls, 10-second fast-forward and rewind buttons, and subtitle toggles. A short description of the content appears in the upper-left corner during playback, offering quick context for viewers.
Video Quality
Paramount+ offers a range of video quality options to suit different viewing preferences and device capabilities. For subscribers to the premium tier, select titles are available in 4K resolution, supporting HDR and Dolby Vision standards. This high-quality content is clearly marked with badges on the show pages, making it easy for users to identify premium viewing options.
The majority of Paramount+’s on-demand library streams at 1080p, which is the standard resolution for paid video streaming services. For live TV, the service supports 1080/60fps streams for owned-and-operated and large stations, while others stream at 720/30fps.
While the web interface doesn’t allow manual selection of streaming resolution, the mobile app provides options for video quality: Auto, Low, Medium, or High. Although the exact resolutions corresponding to these settings are not specified, this feature gives users more control over their streaming experience, especially when managing data usage.
Device Compatibility
Paramount+ boasts wide device compatibility, ensuring that users can access the service on their preferred platforms. The streaming service is available on:
- Web browsers
- Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad
- Android TV, phones, and tablets
- Chromecast
- Fire TV
- Portal TV
- PlayStation 4
- Samsung TV
- Vizio TV
- LG TV
- Roku
- Xbox One, Series S, and Series X
- Xfinity Flex and X1
- Cox Contour box
For those interested in premium viewing experiences, 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision content can be accessed on select Roku models, Fire TV (4K Stick and Cube), Android TV, and Apple TV 4K HDR (5th Gen). Additionally, Paramount+ supports Dolby Atmos, a popular surround sound format, on devices such as iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android TV (version 9+ with Dolby Atmos technology), Fire TV, Google TV, and Roku TV.
It’s worth noting that at the time of this review, Paramount+ is not yet available on PlayStation 5, which may be a consideration for some users.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Paramount+ offers a unique blend of live TV and on-demand content that appeals to fans of CBS shows and Paramount films. This combination sets it apart from other streaming services, providing a diverse viewing experience. The platform’s extensive library includes over 40,000 episodes and movies, giving subscribers access to a wide range of entertainment options.
One of the key benefits of Paramount+ is its tiered subscription model. The Essential plan, priced at USD 7.99 per month or USD 59.99 per year, provides access to the vast content library with limited commercial interruptions. For those seeking a more premium experience, the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, at USD 12.99 per month or USD 119.99 per year, offers commercial-free streaming (except for live TV and a few shows) and additional perks such as downloads and access to live, local CBS stations.
The inclusion of SHOWTIME programming in the premium tier is a significant advantage. Subscribers can enjoy award-winning shows like Billions, The Chi, Dexter, and hits like Yellowjackets, expanding the range of high-quality content available on the platform.
Drawbacks
Despite its strengths, Paramount+ has some notable drawbacks. One of the main issues is the lack of certain quality-of-life features that users have come to expect from streaming services. Most notably, the platform lacks a watchlist feature, which can make it challenging for users to keep track of shows and movies they want to watch in the future.
Another limitation is the delayed availability of theatrical releases. Unlike some competitors that offer same-day streaming for new movies, Paramount+ typically adds theatrical releases to its library 45 days after their initial release. This delay may disappoint viewers who prefer immediate access to new films.
The platform’s original content lineup is also considered a weak point. Paramount+ lacks the exciting and buzzworthy original programming that has become a hallmark of some competing streaming services. This deficiency may make it less appealing to viewers who prioritize exclusive, cutting-edge content.
It’s important to note that while Paramount+ offers a substantial library of CBS and Viacom shows, as well as Paramount movies, it doesn’t include every title from these catalogs. Some viewers may be disappointed to find that certain expected titles are missing from the platform’s offerings.
Lastly, the recent price increase for the Essential plan, from USD 4.99 to USD 7.99 per month, may be a deterrent for budget-conscious consumers. Although the service remains relatively affordable compared to some competitors, this price hike could impact its perceived value for some potential subscribers.
Conclusion
Paramount+ has a significant impact on the streaming landscape with its diverse content library and flexible subscription options. Its blend of live TV, on-demand shows, and movies caters to a wide range of viewers, while the inclusion of SHOWTIME programming in the premium tier adds extra value. However, the platform faces challenges in terms of original content and certain user-friendly features, which might affect its appeal to some potential subscribers.
In the end, the decision to subscribe to Paramount+ depends on individual preferences and viewing habits. For fans of CBS shows, Paramount films, and live sports, the service offers a compelling package at a reasonable price point. Yet, those seeking cutting-edge original content or immediate access to theatrical releases might find the platform lacking. As the streaming market continues to evolve, Paramount+ will need to keep adapting to stay competitive and meet changing viewer expectations.
FAQs
What makes Paramount Plus a worthwhile subscription?
Paramount Plus offers competitive pricing, with its core plan priced at USD 5.99 and a premium option at USD 11.99, which also includes additional benefits. Discounts are available for annual purchases, making it a cost-effective option for those who enjoy its range of content.
Is there any truth to the rumors about Paramount Plus shutting down?
No, Paramount Plus is not shutting down. It operates independently from Paramount TV Studios, and the changes affecting the latter do not impact the streaming service.
What type of content does Paramount Plus offer that might appeal to viewers?
Paramount Plus is known for its strong lineup of homegrown franchises, including popular series like Yellowstone and its spin-offs, every Star Trek series and film, and extensions of the Dexter and Billions universes.
Can you list some of the channels that Paramount Plus provides?
Paramount Plus includes a variety of channels such as Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, MTV, Paramount Pictures, and CBS. The Premium plan also offers live access to local CBS networks and on-demand content from Showtime.
