At a Glance
- Paramount Plus raised its monthly price by $1 for both plans starting January 15, 2026
- The annual cost jumped $30 for Essential and $20 for Premium
- All subscribers, new and existing, will pay the higher rates
- Why it matters: Your streaming bill keeps climbing even as inflation cools
Paramount Plus has quietly increased its subscription prices across the board, marking the latest streaming service to ask viewers for more cash. The change took effect January 15, 2026, affecting both the ad-supported Essential plan and the ad-free Premium tier.
Price Changes Breakdown
Monthly and annual costs have shifted as follows:
| Plan | Monthly Old | Monthly New | Annual Old | Annual New |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $8 | $9 | $60 | $90 |
| Premium | $13 | $14 | $120 | $140 |
The steeper annual jump for Essential subscribers-a 50 percent increase-means the yearly plan now costs the same as 10 monthly payments instead of the previous 7.5. Premium users face a 17 percent annual hike.
Who Pays More
Every subscriber feels the change. New sign-ups encounter the prices immediately, while existing customers will see the increase on their next billing cycle after January 15.
In a November shareholder letter, Paramount Global framed the move as a reinvestment strategy. The company stated the adjustments-also rolling out in Australia and Canada-“will fuel continued reinvestment in the user experience and deliver an even stronger slate of programming for our customers in the year ahead and beyond.”
What Each Tier Still Offers
Despite the price bump, plan features remain unchanged:
Essential
- Ad-supported streaming
- NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League via separate live feeds
- Access to Taylor Sheridan shows like Landman and Tulsa King
- Full South Park and Star Trek libraries
- CBS series and Paramount Pictures films
Premium
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Ad-free viewing
- Ability to download titles for offline watching
- Full Showtime catalog
- Local, live CBS station
Both tiers continue to include live sports, original series, and on-demand movies. Premium’s offline downloads and Showtime integration remain exclusive to the higher-priced plan.
Market Context
The increase follows a year of streaming industry belt-tightening. Services have raised prices, introduced ad tiers, or removed content to reach profitability. Paramount Plus last adjusted its rates in 2023, making this the second hike in three years.
The timing aligns with the company’s broader cost-management push. Paramount Global has sought to cut losses in its streaming division while competing with larger rivals like Netflix and Disney Plus, both of which have also raised prices recently.
Subscriber Impact
For monthly Essential users, the change adds $12 to the annual cost. Premium monthly subscribers will pay $12 more per year as well. Annual Essential subscribers see the sharpest jump-an extra $30 yearly-while Premium annual customers pay $20 more.
The increases apply automatically, requiring no action from users. Customers can switch tiers or cancel anytime through their account settings.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus raised prices $1 monthly and up to $30 annually
- All subscribers, new and existing, pay the higher rates starting January 15, 2026
- Plan features stayed the same; only costs changed
- The move mirrors broader streaming industry price inflation
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