Streaming
Paramount+ Price Hikes & Price History (2026)
Updated May 30, 2026 · Researched & fact-checked by Shaheer
Paramount+ raised its Essential plan from $5.99 to $7.99 in August 2024, then to $8.99 in January 2026. The ad-free Premium tier reached $13.99 over the same window.
At a glance
- Current price
- $8.99 (Essential (with Ads))
- Last increase
- January 15, 2026 (+12.5%)
- Total change tracked
- +50.1%
- Tracked increases
- 2
Key takeaways
- Paramount+ Essential rose from $5.99 to $7.99 (August 2024) and to $8.99 (January 2026).
- The ad-free Premium tier reached $13.99 over the same window.
- The cheapest plan is now ~50% higher than its old $5.99 price in under two years.
- Annual billing and frequent promotions are the main ways to blunt the rising monthly cost.
Paramount+ price increase history
| Date | Plan | Region | Old → New | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 15, 2026 | Essential (with Ads) | US | $7.99 → $8.99 | +12.5% | Source |
| August 20, 2024 | Essential (with Ads) | US | $5.99 → $7.99 | +33.4% | Source |
What Paramount+ costs right now
- Essential (with Ads): $8.99 (US)
- Premium (ad-free): $13.99 (US)
Has Paramount+ raised its price?
Yes. The ad-supported Essential plan went from $5.99 to $7.99 in August 2024 and to $8.99 in January 2026, while the ad-free Premium tier (which includes Showtime) reached $13.99.
The increases followed Paramount folding Showtime into its top tier and a period of corporate upheaval around its merger. With the cheapest entry point now $8.99, the gap from its old $5.99 price is roughly 50% in under two years.
Paramount+ runs frequent promotions and bundle deals, so it is easy to lose track of your real rate once an intro offer ends. Recording the price you pay separates a genuine hike from an expiring promo.
On keeping the cost down, the Essential (ad-supported) plan remains the cheapest way in, and Paramount+ offers an annual option that works out below twelve monthly payments if you stay subscribed year-round. The service is also unusually promo-heavy, with regular discounts and occasional partner bundles, so it pays to check for a current offer before renewing. Given the back-to-back increases, treating another hike as likely and pre-deciding your ceiling is the prudent move.
Frequently asked questions
Did Paramount+ raise its price in 2026?
Yes. In January 2026 the Essential (ad-supported) plan rose from $7.99 to $8.99/month in the US, with Premium reaching $13.99.
How much does Paramount+ cost now?
As of 2026, US prices are $8.99/month (Essential with Ads) and $13.99/month (Premium ad-free, includes Showtime).
Why did Paramount+ get more expensive?
Increases followed the integration of Showtime into the Premium tier and corporate restructuring, lifting the cheapest plan from $5.99 to $8.99 in under two years.
How can I pay less for Paramount+?
Use the cheaper ad-supported Essential plan, pay annually rather than monthly if you watch year-round, and watch for the frequent promotions and partner discounts Paramount+ runs.
Will Paramount+ raise prices again?
It is a realistic expectation. Paramount+ has raised the Essential plan twice in under two years amid a push for streaming profitability, so further increases would fit the pattern.