Paramount+ will raise its subscription prices in early 2026, shifting the cost of its two primary plans and expanding what the higher-priced tier includes. Under the new structure, the ad-supported Essential plan will be priced at $9 per month or $90 per year, while the ad-free Premium tier will cost $14 per month or $140 per year. Paramount is also positioning Premium as a feature-rich option by adding downloads, increased access to Showtime programming and the ability to stream a subscriber’s local CBS station.
The updated pricing represents a clear premium for an ad-free experience and extra functionality. Annual billing still delivers a discount compared with monthly payments: paying $90 a year for Essential is roughly $18 less than paying monthly for a full year, and the $140 annual Premium plan saves about $28 versus twelve monthly payments. Paramount’s Premium tier, beyond removing ads, is being marketed as the package for viewers who want offline viewing and more of Showtime’s library plus live local broadcast access through CBS.
The move follows a broader pattern in the streaming industry of tier reshuffles and price adjustments as services balance the cost of programming, sports rights and platform investment against subscriber growth. Over the last several years, major streamers have introduced ad-supported tiers, reworked content bundles and nudged pricing upward; Paramount’s change is the latest example of companies trying to steer customers toward higher-margin options while offering clearer differences between plans.
The timing comes amid increased scrutiny of streaming price changes in some markets. European courts and consumer groups have recently examined how platforms notify subscribers about price increases; a Rome court in early April ordered Netflix to reimburse some Italian customers over price-hike clauses found unlawful. That decision has amplified attention on how services handle contract terms and customer consent when altering subscription fees.
Paramount Global — the media company that owns Paramount+ and CBS — has in recent years leaned on its library of legacy shows, sports rights and the Showtime catalog to differentiate its streaming product from competitors. By explicitly tying expanded Showtime access and live CBS to the Premium tier, the company signals a strategy of bundling higher-value content behind the ad-free paywall rather than distributing it evenly across cheaper plans.
The new rates will take effect in early 2026; subscribers should watch communications from Paramount+ for the exact date and details on how the change will be applied to existing accounts. The adjustment gives consumers a clearer choice between a lower-cost, ad-supported experience and a more expensive, ad-free option with download capability and additional premium content.