Paramount Plus Review
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 “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.
Subscribers can choose between the Essential Plan (which includes ads) for $5.99/month, or go commercial-free and add more movies with Paramount+ with SHOWTIME for $11.99/month.
Subscribers to the more expensive plan 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), “Star Trek: Picard,” “The Good Fight,” and the “Yellowstone” prequels, “1883” and “1923.”
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 Amazing 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.
If you add the Showtime tier, you’ll also see “Yellowjackets,” “Billions,” “American Gigolo,” “Dexter,” “George & Tammy,” “Your Honor,” “Homeland,” “Ray Donovan,” and “Shameless.”
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.
Adding the Showtime option unlocks far more movies, including standouts from A24, and a great documentary section with titles like “The Comedy Store,” “Murder in the Bayou,” “The Reagans,” “Spector,” and “We Need to Talk About Cosby.”
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.
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.
Compatible Devices
Paramount Plus is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast (Google Cast)
- Roku
- Android TV
- iPhone/iPad
- Android Phone/Tablet
- Mac
- Windows
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- LG Smart TV (AirPlay)
- Samsung Smart TV
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV (AirPlay/Google Cast)
Paramount Plus is not compatible with Nintendo or onn devices.
Channels
Local Channels
Tech Specs
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
Paramount+ offers surround sound on their Original series, and offer stereo sound on the rest. They don’t currently support Dolby Atmos.