What Is Spectrum TV Essentials?
Spectrum TV Essentials is a live TV streaming service that includes over 70 entertainment, lifestyle and children’s networks. But there’s a catch.
Here's Everything You Need to Know About Paramount+
It seems like there is a new streaming service that pops up every month. Paramount+, the newest streaming service, is a rebranding and expansion of the former CBS All Access service. All former CBS All Access subscribers will keep their login and plan on Paramount+. For all new customers, what makes Paramount+ worth it to add to your ever-expanding streaming platform budget?
Table of Contents
- What is Paramount+?
- What is the Price of Paramount+?
- Best Content on Paramount+
- Best Perks and Features of Paramount+
- Is Paramount+ Worth It?
- FAQ
Summary
Paramount+ offers live sports and news along with an impressive library of content from popular networks like CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and more. Subscribers can decide between the limited commercials or commercial-free monthly plans, for $5.99 or $9.99, respectively, or opt for an annual plan. Paramount+ offers a vast library of content for a relatively low price.
What is Paramount+?
Paramount+ is a rebranding and expansion of the former CBS All Access streaming service. Subscribers will receive access to live sports and news via CBS and a robust package of entertainment from media giants such as Paramount Pictures and Viacom. This means that Paramount+ subscribers will have complete access to shows and episodes from networks including CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV and Smithsonian Channel. Paramount Pictures also has hundreds of its movies available to stream.
Paramount+ subscribers will be able to watch live sports and news from CBS but the rest of the content on the platform is stream-only.
Need high-speed internet to take full advantage of Paramount+ content? AT&T Fiber and Spectrum Internet are both great high-speed internet options.
What is the Price of Paramount+?
Paramount+ has two current subscription plans available. They are Essential and Premium. The table below breaks down the price of each plan and what each plan’s subscribers will receive.
Current CBS All Access subscribers can upgrade to an annual plan without first switching to a Paramount+ plan at any time.
Each plan can be paid either monthly or annually with the annual plan offering 16% in savings over the monthly option.
| Plan Name | Content available | Price (monthly plan) | Price (annual plan) | Commercials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 30,000+ shows and movies w/ live sports and news | $4.99 | $49.99 | Limited |
| Premium | 30,000+ shows and movies w/ live sports and news | $9.99 | $99.99 | None |
Paramount+ plans put it in line with another streaming service, Hulu. Hulu’s ads-included version costs $5.99/mo. and its ad-free version costs $11.99/mo. HBO Max also offers a plan similar to Paramount+ while Disney+ is about a dollar more per month while not offering any live programming.
Best Content on Paramount+
Paramount+ boasts an impressive lineup of popular networks, movies, shows, live sports and news broadcasts.
The Neighborhood
Image credit: Paramount+.com
Image credit: Paramount+.com
Paramount+ Networks
Paramount+ is owned and operated by ViacomCBS which gives its subscribers access to the media giants’ extensive catalogs. This includes shows from popular networks like:
- CBS
- Nickelodeon
- Comedy Central
- MTV
- BET
- Smithsonian Channel
Star Trek: Picard
Image credit: paramountplus.com
Image credit: paramountplus.com
Paramount+ Originals
Paramount+ also has plenty of original content. A few standouts include:
- "Star Trek: Picard"
- "Kamp Koral"
- "The Good Fight"
- "The Stand" and more
NFL 2021 Players
Image credit: forbes.com
Image credit: forbes.com
Paramount+ Live Sports
Paramount+ subscribers get access to the world of CBS Sports, including complete coverage and live sports like:
- NFL
- March Madness on CBS
- UEFA Champions League
- The Masters Tournament
- SEC
- UEFA Europa League
CBS This Morning
Image credit: variety.com
Image credit: variety.com
Paramount+ News
Subscribers will be able to watch live news and news programming from CBS, including:
- CBS NEWS
- CBS This Morning
- "60 Minutes" and more
Blue's Clues
Image credit: paramountplus.com
Image credit: paramountplus.com
Paramount+ for Kids
Parents and kids alike will love Paramount+ as subscribers will have access to Nickelodeon and all its greatest shows and new originals, including hits like:
- "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run"
- "iCarly"
- "Blue's Clues"
- "Paw Patrol"
- "Peppa Pig"
- "Henry Danger" and many more
What Are the Best Perks and Features of Paramount+?
Student Discount
Students who verify their student information can also receive 25% off their subscription with a student discount.
Save 15%
Buying the Paramount+ annual plans instead of the monthly plans saves subscribers in the long run. They will save 15% total over the course of a year by paying annually. Unless you plan on canceling halfway through the subscription, purchasing for the full year ahead of time makes more monetary sense.
Live Sports and News
The inclusion of live sports and news is something that separates Paramount+ from the rest of its similarly-priced streaming service pack. For as low as $5.99/mo., subscribers can watch live NFL games on CBS, watch live CBS news programs and stay in the loop while also having access to a content library with 30,000 shows, movies and originals.
Is Paramount+ Worth It?
If you are fine with watching some commercials and gaining access to 30,000 movies and shows from top networks for as low as $4.99/mo., definitely give Paramount+ a try.
It is no secret that media companies are creating more and more content exclusive via streaming services and this trend will likely continue. To ask for $4.99/mo. to watch programming that still has ads in it is not a structure Paramount+ invented but is instead a tactic they are following. Whether you are willing to pay the extra $5 a month to watch commercial-free depends on your personal views on advertisements.
There is no doubting that Paramount+ has great content to justify its purchase in the ever-growing streaming platform market. Being able to watch live NFL games alone might be worth it for many people. The real question is, how many streaming services are companies banking on average customers buying before reaching their budgetary limit?
Frequently asked questions
What is Paramount+?
Paramount+ is a new streaming service that is an expansion of CBS All Access. It includes live sports, live news and a deep content library with shows and movies from networks like CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV and more.
Does Paramount+ have a student discount?
Yes, Paramount+ has a student discount of 25% when students confirm their student information.
Can you watch NFL games on Paramount+?
Yes, live NFL games on CBS can be watched on Paramount+.
Is Paramount+ different from CBS All Access?
No, Paramount+ is CBS All Access but expanded and rebranded. All the same (and more) CBS content will be available on Paramount+.
