Paramount+ streaming service: features, plans, and US reach

Paramount+ is Paramount Global's flagship streaming service for on-demand shows, movies, live sports, and news in the US and select international markets, launched in March 2021 as a rebrand of CBS All AccessCNET, 02/25/2021New York Times, 03/04/2021.

Updated: 05/19/2026 | Reading time: approx. 8 minutes

By the AD HOC NEWS editorial team - specialized in product-led market coverage.

What Paramount+ Is and How It Works

Paramount+ is a subscription streaming platform that combines on-demand libraries from brands such as CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures, plus live programming and originalsParamount+, accessed 03/10/2025The Verge, 03/04/2021.

Subscribers stream content through apps on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming boxes, game consoles, and web browsers after creating an account and choosing a monthly or annual planParamount+ Support, accessed 03/10/2025Consumer Reports, 02/15/2024.

The service uses user profiles and watch history to offer personalized recommendations, while parental controls limit what kids can access in child profilesParamount+ Help, 06/12/2024Common Sense Media, 03/20/2024.

Why Paramount+ Matters for Consumers and Industry

For US households, Paramount+ adds another option in the crowded streaming landscape, mixing current CBS network shows with original series and movies from major entertainment brandsWall Street Journal, 03/10/2021Financial Times, 11/04/2023.

Paramount+ also matters for the wider media industry because it is part of the shift from traditional cable and broadcast TV toward internet-based viewing, with many new series debuting directly on the platformReuters, 02/15/2022Bloomberg, 02/15/2022.

Sports and news play a strategic role: live NFL games, college sports, and local CBS news streams help keep the service relevant for viewers who might otherwise stay with pay TV bundlesCBS Sports, 09/01/2023New York Times, 01/19/2022.

Paramount+ in the US and Global Market

In the US, Paramount+ is positioned as a general entertainment streaming app competing with services such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Peacock, with pricing set in a similar range and bundles available through partners in some casesCNBC, 06/27/2023The Verge, 06/27/2023.

Internationally, Paramount+ has expanded in Latin America, parts of Europe, and Asia-Pacific through direct launches and distribution deals with local partners, often tailoring its catalog with regional titlesReuters, 12/08/2022Hollywood Reporter, 12/08/2022.

In earnings calls, Paramount Global has highlighted streaming, including Paramount+, as a central part of its long-term strategy, even while traditional TV networks remain important for advertising revenueCNBC, 05/04/2023Wall Street Journal, 02/16/2023.

• On-demand series and films from CBS, Paramount Pictures, and more
• Live NFL and college sports in supported US markets
• Local CBS news streams and national news programming
• Original shows and movies produced for streaming
• Kids content from Nickelodeon and related brands

Content Library and Originals on Paramount+

Paramount+ offers current and past seasons of many CBS shows, plus classic series from libraries such as Nickelodeon and MTV, giving fans a way to catch up outside traditional broadcast schedulesParamount+ Shows, accessed 03/10/2025Wired, 03/09/2021.

Star Trek spin-offs and other franchises have been a focus for originals, designed to attract fans and differentiate the platform in a crowded marketHollywood Reporter, 09/08/2021The Verge, 02/24/2021.

For families, the service includes kids titles and animated series from Nickelodeon and related brands, with parental controls helping adults manage what younger viewers seeCommon Sense Media, 03/20/2024Wirecutter, 08/17/2023.

Plans, Pricing, and Ads

Paramount+ currently offers an ad-supported plan and a higher tier that includes Showtime content in the US, with monthly and annual billing optionsParamount+ Plans, accessed 03/10/2025CNET, 07/01/2023.

In mid-2023, Paramount+ raised some US plan prices as part of a broader shift in streaming, while also merging with Showtime on the premium tier to add more films and seriesCNBC, 06/27/2023The Verge, 06/27/2023.

Advertising-supported tiers show periodic commercial breaks during on-demand and some live content, while the premium plan reduces ads and adds some extra live channels compared with the entry tierConsumer Reports, 09/14/2023Paramount+ Ways to Watch, accessed 03/10/2025.

Devices, Features, and User Experience

Paramount+ apps are available on major streaming platforms including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, many smart TVs, iOS, and Android, plus web browsersParamount+ Support, 06/12/2024Tom's Guide, 03/04/2021.

The platform supports offline downloads on mobile devices for select titles, allowing subscribers on supported plans to watch without an internet connectionParamount+ Help, 06/12/2024CNET, 08/05/2023.

Multiple user profiles and a watchlist feature make it easier for households to keep track of shows, while interface updates have aimed to streamline navigation and highlight live eventsThe Verge, 08/31/2022Engadget, 08/31/2022.

Sports and News on Paramount+

In many US markets, Paramount+ streams local CBS stations, giving users access to news, daytime programming, and some live events through the appParamount+ Live TV, accessed 03/10/2025New York Times, 03/03/2021.

The service also carries live NFL games broadcast on CBS, plus many college football and basketball matchups, soccer leagues, and other events, subject to regional rightsCBS Sports, 09/01/2023Sporting News, 09/07/2023.

For national and international news, Paramount+ includes shows from CBS News and other brands, while some regions offer 24-hour streaming news channels within the appCBS News, 01/24/2022Washington Post, 01/24/2022.

Parental Controls and Family Use

Paramount+ offers profile-level maturity settings so parents can restrict content by rating and lock changes with a PIN, helping families manage viewing for childrenParamount+ Help, 06/12/2024Common Sense Media, 03/20/2024.

Expert guides for caregivers note that the variety of family and kids content on Paramount+ can be a benefit when combined with the available controls, though they still recommend supervising younger viewersCommon Sense Media, 03/20/2024Consumer Reports, 03/28/2023.

Profiles for kids can surface age-appropriate shows, reduce access to mature titles, and simplify the interface so younger users can navigate more easilyParamount+ Help, 06/12/2024Wirecutter, 08/17/2023.

Privacy, Data, and Advertising Practices

Like many streaming platforms, Paramount+ collects usage data and device information, which it describes in its privacy policy and uses for service operation and ad targetingParamount+ Privacy Policy, updated 2024FTC, 05/03/2023.

Users can manage some data and ad preferences via account settings and industry opt-out tools, though US regulators have continued to scrutinize how streaming services explain choices and handle children’s dataFTC, 09/15/2022New York Times, 04/14/2023.

Consumers concerned about privacy can review Paramount+ disclosures and adjust mobile and smart TV settings, such as limiting ad tracking or resetting advertising IDs where supportedConsumer Reports, 01/05/2024Paramount+ Privacy Rights, accessed 03/10/2025.

How Paramount+ Compares With Other US Streamers

Streaming guides typically position Paramount+ as a midpriced general entertainment service, with strengths in CBS content, sports, and the Paramount film library compared with rivalsCNET, 01/12/2024Wirecutter, 10/19/2023.

Reviewers often recommend Paramount+ to sports fans who want CBS games, Star Trek viewers, and households already watching current CBS shows, while noting that movie depth and premium series differ from larger rivalsTom's Guide, 03/04/2021Wired, 03/09/2021.

Bundles with other services, such as some Walmart+ or partner offers, have occasionally made Paramount+ more accessible for US shoppers who prefer to manage subscriptions through familiar retailersCNBC, 08/15/2022The Verge, 08/15/2022.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paramount+

Where is Paramount+ available in the US?
Paramount+ is available nationwide in the United States through web, mobile apps, and most major streaming devices, subject to local rights for specific live channelsParamount+ Ways to Watch, accessed 03/10/2025.

Does Paramount+ include live sports?
Paramount+ carries live NFL games on CBS, many college matchups, and soccer and other sports where CBS holds rights, though availability can vary by region and planCBS Sports, 09/01/2023.

Can I share my Paramount+ subscription?
Paramount+ allows multiple profiles and concurrent streams on supported devices, with specific limits described in its terms of service and help materialsParamount+ Help, 06/12/2024.

Paramount+ is operated by Paramount Global, a US-based media and entertainment company that also runs TV networks, film studios, and other streaming brandsParamount Global, accessed 03/10/2025SEC, 02/16/2024.

Paramount Global's Class B shares trade on Nasdaq under the ticker PARA, and the issuer has registered securities including ISIN US92556H2067 in connection with its capital markets activitiesNasdaq, accessed 03/10/2025MarketScreener, accessed 03/10/2025.

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute investment advice. Stocks are volatile financial instruments.