Streaming services have made it easier than ever to watch movies, TV shows, original series, and live sports from one platform. However, with so many streaming subscriptions available, choosing a service that actually matches your viewing habits can be difficult.
Paramount+ stands out by combining movies and television with original programming, family entertainment, live sports, and SHOWTIME content on its Premium plan. Its current lineup includes content from brands such as CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and VH1, along with Paramount+ Originals.
The service also has a growing sports offering, including NFL on CBS, UFC, UEFA Champions League, and Zuffa Boxing.
But is Paramount+ worth adding to your streaming lineup?
In this Paramount+ review, we’ll look at its content library, sports coverage, pricing, features, user experience, advantages, drawbacks, and who the service is best suited for.
What Is Paramount+?
Paramount+ is a subscription-based streaming platform offering on-demand movies and television shows alongside original programming and live content.
The service brings together entertainment from several major brands, including CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, and Paramount. Paramount+ currently advertises more than 40,000 episodes and movies across its service.
One of its notable differences from some competing streaming services is the combination of traditional entertainment and live sports.
Subscribers can watch movies and series on demand while also accessing selected live sporting events and, with Premium, a live CBS feed.
What Can You Watch on Paramount+?
Paramount+ has a broad entertainment catalog covering movies, television, original productions, family programming, and sports.
Movies and TV Shows
The platform offers thousands of episodes and movies across different genres.
Its library includes content associated with CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, VH1, and other Paramount brands.
Depending on what is currently available in your region, you can find:
- Movies
- Drama series
- Comedy shows
- Reality programming
- Crime and thriller content
- Classic television
- Family entertainment
- Children’s programming
- Paramount+ Originals
Paramount+ also promotes movies such as Scary Movie 6, Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, Passenger, and Primate.
Paramount+ Originals
Original programming is another important part of the platform.
Paramount+ produces exclusive series and other programming designed specifically for its streaming audience. This gives subscribers access to shows that aren’t necessarily available through traditional television.
For viewers who enjoy discovering platform-exclusive content, Originals can be one of the main reasons to maintain a subscription.
SHOWTIME Content
SHOWTIME is particularly relevant if you’re considering the Premium plan.
Premium includes access to SHOWTIME Originals and movies, giving subscribers a larger selection of entertainment beyond the standard Paramount+ catalog.
Paramount+ for Sports
Sports are one of Paramount+’s major selling points.
The platform currently offers live sports including NFL on CBS, UFC, UEFA Champions League, and Zuffa Boxing. Premium subscribers can also access their local CBS station for additional live programming and sports, subject to availability.
UFC on Paramount+
UFC has become an especially important part of Paramount+’s sports offering.
Paramount+ currently states that numbered UFC events and Fight Nights are available live and on demand in the U.S. through a Paramount+ subscription, without a separate UFC pay-per-view charge.
That makes the service particularly relevant to viewers who regularly watch UFC alongside movies and TV shows.
NFL on CBS
Paramount+ also provides access to NFL games through CBS, with availability depending on the subscriber’s location and plan.
The platform promotes local and featured national NFL games through CBS, while Premium provides access to the local live CBS station.
UEFA Champions League and Soccer
Soccer fans can also find significant coverage on Paramount+.
The service offers UEFA Champions League matches and other soccer programming, making it useful for viewers who want international football alongside their regular streaming entertainment.
Paramount+ Pricing
Paramount+ currently has two primary U.S. subscription plans: Essential and Premium.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $8.99/month | Ad-supported, 40,000+ episodes and movies, live sports, 3 simultaneous streams |
| Premium | $13.99/month | Fewer ads on on-demand content, SHOWTIME, downloads, live CBS, select 4K/HDR content |
Paramount+ also offers annual billing options. The current listed annual prices are $89.99/year for Essential and $139.99/year for Premium.
Paramount+ Essential
Essential is the lower-priced plan.
For $8.99 per month, subscribers get access to 40,000+ episodes and movies, live sports including UFC and UEFA Champions League, NFL on CBS, and selected SHOWTIME series.
The plan is ad-supported and allows streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
For users primarily interested in the content library and sports rather than additional Premium features, Essential provides the basic Paramount+ experience.
Paramount+ Premium
Premium costs $13.99 per month and adds several features.
These include:
- All SHOWTIME content available through Paramount+
- Downloads for eligible movies and shows
- Live CBS
- 4K UHD on select titles
- Dolby Vision and HDR10 on supported content
- Fewer ads on on-demand content
Paramount+ notes that live TV still includes advertising, even on Premium. 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 are also limited to select titles and require compatible devices and internet service.
Is Paramount+ Easy to Use?
Paramount+ follows the familiar interface structure used by most modern streaming platforms.
Users can browse movies, shows, sports, Originals, and other categories from compatible devices.
The platform also supports separate profiles, making it possible for household members to maintain their own viewing experience. Paramount+ currently supports streaming on up to three devices at the same time.
Premium subscribers can also download eligible movies and shows for offline viewing.
This can be useful when traveling or when you expect to have limited internet access.
Paramount+ Streaming Quality
Streaming quality depends on the plan, title, device, and internet connection.
Premium supports 4K UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 for select content. Paramount+ specifically notes that these formats are not available for every title and require compatible hardware and internet service.
For viewers with a compatible 4K television or home theater setup, Premium can therefore provide a higher-quality viewing experience for supported content.
Paramount+ for Families
Paramount+ also has a strong family-entertainment component.
Nickelodeon programming and other family-focused content give parents and children plenty of options to explore. Paramount+ also allows users to create kid-friendly profiles.
This makes the service more flexible for households where different people want access to different types of entertainment.
Parents can use kid-focused profiles while other household members maintain their own profiles for movies, shows, and sports.
Paramount+ Device Support
Paramount+ is designed to work across a variety of modern streaming devices.
Depending on the market and device, users can access the service through compatible smart TVs, streaming devices, mobile devices, computers, and other supported hardware.
Because device availability can change, it’s worth checking Paramount+’s current supported-device information before subscribing if you plan to watch primarily through a specific television or streaming device.
Pros and Cons of Paramount+
Pros
- 40,000+ episodes and movies
- Paramount+ Originals
- SHOWTIME content with Premium
- Live UFC events
- NFL on CBS
- UEFA Champions League
- Zuffa Boxing
- Up to three simultaneous streams
- Offline downloads with Premium
- Select 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 content
- Kid-friendly profiles
- Live CBS with Premium
Cons
- Essential includes advertisements
- Live TV can still contain ads on Premium
- Some content availability varies by location
- 4K and HDR are limited to select titles
- Premium costs more than Essential
- Not every SHOWTIME series is included with Essential
Who Is Paramount+ Best For?
Sports Fans
Paramount+ can be a useful option for sports viewers who want access to UFC, NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, and other live events alongside regular streaming entertainment.
Movie and TV Lovers
The combination of Paramount content, CBS programming, Originals, and SHOWTIME on Premium gives subscribers a diverse entertainment catalog.
Families
Families can benefit from Nickelodeon and other family-focused content, along with kid-friendly profiles.
UFC Fans
UFC is one of the more distinctive reasons to consider Paramount+ in 2026 because the service offers numbered events and Fight Nights live and on demand through the subscription.
Viewers Who Want Offline Downloads
Premium subscribers can download eligible movies and shows, making the plan more convenient for travel and offline viewing.
Is Paramount+ Worth It?
Whether Paramount+ is worth paying for depends largely on the content you want to watch.
The service has several distinct advantages for viewers who want a combination of entertainment and sports rather than a platform focused only on movies or TV series.
The Essential plan at $8.99/month provides access to the main content library and several major sports offerings.
The Premium plan at $13.99/month adds SHOWTIME, live CBS, downloads, and select higher-quality video formats.
For someone primarily interested in Paramount+ Originals or the broader Paramount ecosystem, the subscription may be useful. Sports fans also have an additional reason to consider it because UFC, NFL on CBS, and UEFA Champions League are part of its current sports lineup.
However, viewers who already subscribe to several streaming services may want to compare the available content before adding another monthly subscription.
Paramount+ vs Other Streaming Services
Paramount+ competes with services such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Peacock, and other streaming platforms.
Its main distinction is the combination of:
- Paramount movies and shows
- CBS programming
- SHOWTIME on Premium
- Nickelodeon and family content
- UFC
- NFL on CBS
- UEFA Champions League
- Other live sports
This combination means the service appeals to a somewhat different viewing mix than a platform focused primarily on original dramas, movies, or family entertainment.
Final Verdict
Paramount+ is a versatile streaming service that combines movies, TV shows, Originals, family programming, and live sports.
Its biggest strengths are its broad content mix and growing sports lineup. Current offerings include UFC, NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, and Zuffa Boxing, while Premium adds SHOWTIME, live CBS, downloads, and select 4K/HDR content.
The Essential plan provides a lower-cost way to access the service, while Premium is designed for viewers who want the expanded content and additional features.
Ultimately, Paramount+ makes the most sense for viewers whose favorite shows, movies, sports, or franchises are available on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paramount+ worth it?
Paramount+ can be worth considering if you want a combination of movies, TV shows, Originals, family entertainment, and live sports. The value depends on the content you actually plan to watch.
How much does Paramount+ cost?
Current U.S. pricing starts at $8.99/month for Essential and $13.99/month for Premium. Annual plans are currently listed at $89.99 and $139.99 respectively.
Does Paramount+ have live sports?
Yes. Paramount+ currently offers sports including UFC, NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, and Zuffa Boxing.
Does Paramount+ have UFC?
Yes. Paramount+ currently streams numbered UFC events and Fight Nights live and on demand in the U.S. through a Paramount+ subscription.
Does Paramount+ include SHOWTIME?
Premium includes access to SHOWTIME Originals and movies. Essential includes selected SHOWTIME series rather than the full SHOWTIME catalog.
Can you download Paramount+ shows?
Yes. Premium subscribers can download eligible movies and shows for offline viewing, subject to applicable restrictions.
How many devices can stream Paramount+ at once?
Paramount+ currently allows streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
Does Paramount+ have 4K?
Yes. Premium supports 4K UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 on select titles with compatible devices and internet service.
Does Paramount+ have ads?
Essential is ad-supported. Premium removes ads from most on-demand content, but live TV still includes ads, and Paramount+ notes that trailers or sponsorships may also appear.
