Skip to Content

Paramount Plus Review

Updated on Jason Gurwin

Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and more. The lineup includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and MTV’s “Laguna Beach.” From well-loved franchises to compelling originals, Paramount+ offers a great library worth streaming. Live NFL games are included. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate.

Subscribers can choose between the Essentials Plan (which includes ads) for $4.99/month, or go commercial-free with the Premium Plan for $9.99/month. Subscribers can add Showtime to either plan for an additional fee.

With their Premium Plan, in addition to not having ads, you will also get access to your local CBS affiliate to stream your local news, prime-time lineup, and late-night. You will also be able to download offline and watch select shows in 4K.

With the lower cost “Essential” plan, you will still be able to watch live NFL games, Champions League, and national news – but you will no longer get your local CBS affiliate.

With their new app, enjoy advanced recommendations, curated homepages, and new content categories while still being able to stream major live sports like NFL, College Football, College Basketball. Sports fans will also appreciate the service’s inclusion of NFL on CBS, PGA Tour, along with every match of UEFA Champions League and Serie A.

The service was previously called CBS All Access.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Review

We tested Paramount Plus and other subscription streaming services for more than 100 hours. Paramount Plus is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.


Content

Originals

Paramount+ is home to various original programming, such as “Halo,” Sponge on the Run (2020) and the “Yellowstone” prequel, “1883” (2021).

Here you’ll also be able to catch Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2020), Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (2020), and more.

Paramount+ will also remain the destination for all CBS All Access exclusives, including The Stand, Star Trek: Picard, The Good Fight, Why Women Kill, Tooning Out the News, and Star Trek: Discovery.

TV Shows

Paramount+ is home to a library of over 10,000 episodes of television including most shows that have aired on CBS in recent years. This includes those like NCIS, Blue Bloods, and Hawaii Five-0, as well as reality series like Survivor and The Amazon Race.

You’ll also see hubs for the Paramount-owned channels like BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon, with most of the hit shows that aired originally on those networks.

For those looking for a little nostalgia, the service is the home of Twin Peaks, Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, I Love Lucy, and Cheers.

Movies

The Paramount+ library includes gems like the Indiana Jones series, “A Quiet Place,” and most of the “Mission: Impossible” series. You’ll also get hits like “Scream,” “Top Gun,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

You’ll find a film library stretching back more than 100 years, including some Buster Keaton classics.

Kids

Paramount+ is one of the best services for kids. The Nickelodeon library offers “PAW Patrol,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Blue’s Clues,” and other childhood favorites.

Paramount Plus
$4.99 – $9.99 paramountplus.com
7-Day Free Trial

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Features

Up to 3 Devices

Paramount Plus allows you to stream on up to 3 devices simultaneously.

Parental Controls

Parents can choose a rating category that best suits their child’s age and what they’re allowed to view. The account holder manages these profiles, meaning your kids won’t be able to change them on their own.

DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, and Sling TV also have parental control features.

Paramount Plus
$4.99 – $9.99 paramountplus.com
7-Day Free Trial

Compatible Devices

Paramount Plus is compatible with these devices:

Paramount Plus is not compatible with Nintendo devices.

  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Apple TV
  • Google Chromecast
  • Roku
  • Android TV
  • iPhone/iPad
  • Android Phone/Tablet
  • Mac
  • Windows
  • PlayStation
  • Xbox
  • LG Smart TV
  • Samsung Smart TV
  • Sony Smart TV
  • VIZIO Smart TV

  • Nintendo
Paramount Plus
$4.99 – $9.99 paramountplus.com
7-Day Free Trial

Channels

Local Channels



Tech Specs

4K
1080p
720p

1080p HD

Paramount+ streams most content in HD, with some older shows like “Cheers” in SD. They don’t currently offer any content in 4K.

Surround Sound

Surround Sound

Paramount+ offers surround sound on their Original series, and offer stereo sound on the rest. They don’t currently support Dolby Atmos.

Paramount Plus
$4.99 – $9.99 paramountplus.com
7-Day Free Trial

DIRECTV STREAM Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.