Paramount+ Review: New pricing, plans, subscriptions, free trials and more

What is Paramount Plus?

Paramount Plus, stylized as Paramount+, is a streaming service, complete with an extensive streaming library and any-time streaming access to a huge number of TV shows and movie titles. It's operated by Paramount Global and, like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, it packs together thousands of hours of on-demand content across film and television series and episodes, along with lots of great live coverage.

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If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and features, mountain of content availability, and subscription plans the video streaming service has on offer, then fear not. Because GOAL is here to equip you with everything you need to know about Paramount+, and hopefully give you a more definitive answer as to whether the streaming service is right for you.

Article Contents

1. What's new to Paramount+
2. Essential vs Premium
3. Free Trials & Discounts
4. Is Paramount+ free with Walmart+?
5. UFC on Paramount+
6. Paramount+ Content Library
7. What's coming up in 2026?
8. Paramount+ Pros & Cons
9. Can I cancel anytime?
10. What TV channels does Paramount+ carry?
11. What devices can I stream Paramount+ on?
12. Live sports on Paramount+

What's new to Paramount+ in February 2026?

This month, there are plenty of new shows, movies and documentaries heading to the streaming platform, including some highlights below.

Paramount+ Prices & Plans: Essential vs Premium

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Plans for Paramount+ vary, starting at $8.99 per month and going up to $139.99 annually, across four different pricing structures. 

Choosing between the 'Essential' and 'Premium' plans can therefore be confusing since they both offer the same core library of movies and shows. The real difference lies in the technical perks and live TV access - here is a side-by-side breakdown of what you actually get for your money.

*Note on Ads: Even on the Premium plan, live TV broadcasts (like the NFL or the Grammy Awards) will still contain national commercials, just like traditional TV.

READ MORE: Paramount+ deals: Best discount prices for veterans, students and seniors

Paramount+ Free Trials & Student Discounts

Currently, Paramount Plus is offering students that sign up to the streaming service an impressive 50% off.

The streaming service also offers discounts to veterans and seniors. You can find out more on these offers HERE.

READ MORE: How to get huge discounts off your Paramount+ subscription

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GOAL's guide to streaming services

• Sling TV review: Pricing, plans, subscriptions
• ESPN+ review: Pricing, plans, subscriptions
• Fubo review: Pricing, plans, subscriptions
• Peacock review: Pricing, plans, subscriptions

Paramount

Detailed Cost Breakdown: Is the Annual Plan worth it?

Paramount+ Essential

The Essential planwill set back subscribers $7.99 per month, or they can sign up for an annual subscription,which costs $59.99 per year. 

The annual subscription costs $36 less compared to its equivalent monthly plan, which is a huge saving. 

While it provides CBS coverage for live NFL and UEFA Champions League games, it's very limited.

It's a similar video streaming service to the more expensive Premium plan, but with tweaked pricing tier and restricted features access. With Essential, you have limited access to SHOWTIME content as well as CBS live sports (NFL and soccer), there's no downloadable option and you are exposed to more advertisements. 

READ MORE: How to watch UEFA Champions League soccer on Paramount+

Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

You get everything you'd receive in the Essential plan here, and more.

The Premium Plan is slightly more costly at $12.99 per month. However, it offers the benefit of being almost ad-free compared to the Essential Plan and packs in all SHOWTIME content and all CBS live sports coverage, downloadable content and ads are limited to live TV only. 

Like with Essential, Premium includes full access to live UEFA Champions League soccer and NFL coverage courtesy of CBS. 

An annual subscription to Paramount+ Premium costs $119.99 per year, which means there is a saving of $36 compared to monthly fees.

Premium also boasts 4K Ultra High Definition picture quality and allows you to download your favorite movies and shows to watch offline.

Is Paramount+ free with Walmart+?

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One of the best-kept secrets in streaming is the Walmart+ partnership. If you are looking for the absolute cheapest way to get Paramount+, this might be it.

The Deal: Every subscription to Walmart+ ($12.95 /mo or $98/year) includes a free membership to the Paramount+ Essential plan.

Is it worth it?

• Paramount+ Essential Cost: ~$9/mo
• Walmart+ Cost: ~$13/mo
• The Math: For just ~$5 more than the cost of Paramount+ alone, you get free grocery delivery, gas discounts, and free shipping from Walmart.

How to activate it: You do not access this through the standard Paramount+ sign-up page.

1. Log in to your Walmart+ account.
2. Go to the "Benefits" hub.
3. Click "Video Streaming" and select "Get Started" to link your account.

Note: The free subscription is for the Essential (Ad-Supported) plan only. You cannot use this benefit to get the "Paramount+ with Showtime" (Premium) plan for free, nor can you pay the difference to upgrade. If you want the Premium tier, you must subscribe separately. 

UFC on Paramount+: PPVs, Fight Nights and Costs

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In a massive win for sports fans, you do not need the more expensive Paramount+ with Showtime plan to watch UFC events.

As of the new 7-year deal that started in January 2026, Paramount+ has democratized access to the Octagon. Here is how the new rights deal works for subscribers:

• Essential Plan: You get access to every single UFC event. This includes the 13 marquee "Numbered" Pay-Per-View cards and all Fight Nights.
  • The Catch: You will see commercials. Unlike the old PPV model where you paid for uninterrupted coverage, the Essential plan functions like a TV broadcast. Expect to see ads playing between rounds and in the breaks between fights
• Premium Plan: You get the same live events, but with significantly fewer interruptions. While live sports always include some broadcast commercials, the Premium tier strips out the pre-roll ads and offer ad-free on-demand replays immediately after the fight ends.

Content Library: Best Movies & TV Shows on Paramount+

Paramount

Paramount+ has over 40,000 TV series and movies available on its service. Below, you can find some top titles featured with your subscription:

Paramount+ Movies

There are a number of well-known Paramount produced movies to pick from, as well as other popular Hollywood features, including the following.

Paramount+ Star Trek Shows and Movies

Paramount Plus offers an incredible selection (but not fully exclusive rights) of Star Trek content, with a handful of original shows to boast of. Among their extensive catalog are the following:

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What's coming up on Paramount+ in 2026?

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Live Sports Guide: NFL, Champions League & Other Soccer Rights

• Throughout 2026: NWSL regular season competition
• Throughout 2026: Argentina Liga Profesional de Fútbol competition
• Throughout 2026: Scottish Professional Football League competition
• Throughout 2026: English Football League competition
• Throughout 2026: Concacaf Men’s Nations League competition
• Throughout 2026: Concacaf Women's Champions Cup competition
• Throughout 2026: Serie A competition
• Throughout 2026: AFC Champions League Elite competition
• Throughout 2026: UEFA Champions League competition
• Throughout 2026: UEFA Europa League competition
• Throughout 2026: UEFA Conference League competition
• Throughout 2026 and beyond: Exclusive UFC numbered events coverage

READ MORE: Watch and stream live NFL games on Paramount+

Paramount+ Original shows

Paramount

As well as having plenty of exclusive Star Trek movies and shows, Paramount+ also has original shows to boast about. Here are some of its most popular.

READ MORE: How to watch the Christian Pulisic documentary on Paramount+

Verdict: Is Paramount+ worth the money in 2026?

Paramount+

That's the million-dollar question that lingers half a decade after the launch of the service across America, before making its way to the rest of the world. Paramount+ has come in for its share of praise and criticism, particularly stacked against its rivals at Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.

On the one hand, its live arsenal of sports coverage, drawn from CBS channels and exclusive rights contracts to sports like UFC, makes it an essential port for international club soccer fans. With the UEFA Champions League among the shining jewels in its crown, it has a strong selection of soccer competitions its rivals simply don't – and all for one of the most budget-friendly, affordable prices out there.

However, there are some drawbacks, like no DVR capabilities for live broadcasts, and the app interface for mobile devices is arguably inferior to that of its competitors. A limited selection of archive titles – especially compared to the likes of Netflix or popular family providers such as Disney+ – can also arguably count against it. Yet for the money you pay and the actual pick of on-demand and live sporting content you have, it's a pretty solid option.

Paramount+ Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

• Unrivaled soccer coverage: A massive selection of leagues and competitions that rivals don't offer including UEFA Champions League, Serie A, and NWSL.
• Exclusive UFC Deal (2026): The new home for UFC Pay-Per-View events and Fight Nights starting this year.
• Budget-Friendly Pricing: One of the most affordable entry points in the streaming market compared to competitors.
• Growing Originals Library: A strong catalog of exclusive content, including Yellowstone spinoffs and Star Trek originals.

❌ Cons

• No Live DVR: You cannot pause, rewind, or record live sports broadcasts.
• App Interface Issue: The mobile and TV app functionality is arguably slower and less intuitive than Netflix or Disney+.
• Smaller Archive: The back-catalog of older movies and shows is limited compared to deep libraries like Prime Video.

Can I cancel Paramount Plus at any time?

Yes, you can end your Paramount+ subscription at any time. Cancellation is straight forward and depending on what device you signed up on might mean a slightly different process.

But essentially you log on to the device you signed up with. If you used the website, you head to over to paramountplus.com/account. If it was through Google Play Store, you head to your subscriptions there. And through your subscriptions on Roku if you signed up through Roku, and so forth.

READ MORE: How to cancel my Paramount+ account: A step-by-step guide

Paramount+ vs Netflix, Amazon Prime, Peaock & Apple TV: Which is better?

In 2026, the streaming landscape has effectively split into two camps: the "Cable Replacements" and the "Premium Entertainment" hubs.

Paramount+ fits firmly in the first camp. Its closest rival is Peacock; both services offer a "kitchen sink" approach, combining live sports (NFL, Premier League, Champions League), 24/7 news, and a deep library of classic TV shows for a sub $10 price point. This makes them significantly more affordable than Netflix or Max, which continue to raise prices while focusing primarily on on-demand entertainment rather than live events.

Meanwhile, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video occupy their own niches. Apple remains the "boutique" option offering fewer shows but with higher production budgets, while Amazon is often a "sunk cost" for users who already pay for Prime shipping. 

Here is how Paramount+ compares to the major players in terms of price, sports rights, and value:

What TV channels does Paramount+ carry?

Paramount

Alongside your local CBS affiliate, Paramount+ carries several live channels, including:

How to Sign Up & Device Support (Roku, Fire Stick, PS5)

If you're a first-time customer of Paramount+, you will begin with a free trial and then roll over if you elect to stay with the service.

Make sure you have chosen your preferred tier and payment timescale when confirming your details however.

Once you've done this, you can access live sports and everything else on the service.

Simply:

• Go to www.paramountplus.com
• Click Sign Up for Paramount+.
• Click Continue. You'll be prompted to create an account.
• Enter your full name, email address, and password, then click Continue to finish signing up. Note: Your email address and password will be your Paramount+ login.
• You'll be prompted to enter your payment information, then click Start.

If you wish to try the free trial only, you must cancel your subscription before the seven-day period expires. Otherwise, you will be billed at the regular monthly amount.

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What devices can I stream Paramount+ on?

Paramount

Paramount+ is available to stream on a number of different devices, depending on whether you are at home and wanting to watch the game on your big TV, or out and about and need on-the-move coverage.

READ MORE: How to use Paramount+ on Roku

You can use the streaming service on a wide variety of device, al listed below.

Paramount+ Supported Devices & Platforms

Paramount+ features broad compatibility across almost every major streaming ecosystem. Whether you are watching on a smart TV, gaming console, or mobile device, you can access the app easily.

Here is the complete list of devices compatible with Paramount+ as of 2026:

Smart TVs & Streaming Players

• Roku: Roku Streaming Stick, Express, Ultra, and Roku TVs (TCL, Hisense)
• Amazon Fire TV: Fire TV Stick (all generations), Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV Smart TVs (Insignia, Toshiba)
• Apple TV: Apple TV HD (4th Gen) and Apple TV 4K (1st, 2nd, 3rd Gen)
• Google Chromecast: Chromecast with Google TV, Chromecast Ultra, and older generations
• Samsung Smart TVs: Models from 2017 or newer (Tizen OS)
• LG Smart TVs: Models from 2018 or newer (webOS 4.0 ad higher)
• Vizio Smart TVs: SmartCast 3.0 TVs and P-Series/M-Series Quantum
• Android TV: Sony Bravia, Hisense Android TVs, and NVIDIA Shield

Gaming Consoles

• PlayStation: PS4 & PS5
• Xbox: Xbox Series S|X and Xbox One.

Mobile & Web

• iOS: iPhone and iPad (running iOS 14.0+)
• Android: Phones and tablets (running Android 5.0+)
• Amazon Fire Tablet: Fire HD 8, Fire HD 10, and Max 11
• Web Browsers: Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox on PC and Mac.

Cable Set-Top Boxes

• Xfinity: X1 and Flex
• Cox: Contour box

Note: To stream in 4K HDR or Dolby Vision, you must use a device that supports these formats (e.g. Apple TV 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K) and have a high-speed internet connection of at least 25 Mbps.

What live sports are available on Paramount+?

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Along with entertainment for all the family, Paramount+ offers a relatively extensive catalog of live sports. 

READ MORE: How to watch College Football on Paramount+

If you want to watch live sports on Paramount+, you should get the Premium plan, which includes coverage from the world of MMA and boxing. They have a huge choice for soccer, too.

Coverage of other sports is also available, as noted below.

Live sports available on Paramount+ includes golf, NFL and college football Sundays, MMA and boxing, as well as live games from the world of soccer in competitions like the UEFA Champions League and the National Women's Soccer League.

READ MORE: How to watch live sports on Paramount+

The Bottom Line

Paramount+

Paramount+'s biggest sell is its affordable price point. If you happen to be a sports fan - and a UFC or soccer fan, in particular - getting a subscription is a no-brainer. 

The entertainment they offer may not be able to compete with the depth of Netflix or Disney+, but new shows and movies are being added to their library all the time, as well as new and exclusive sports deals, like the 2026 one for UFC.

Start a subscription with Paramount+Sign up today