Apple TV+ and Paramount+ are separate services with different content

No. Apple TV+ does not include Paramount+. They are two different streaming services owned by different companies, and you need a separate subscription to each one if you want both.

Apple TV+ is owned by Apple and focuses on original shows and films made by Apple. Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Global and carries CBS broadcasts, movies from the Paramount film studio, and original series. If you subscribe to Apple TV+, you get access only to Apple's content library — not Paramount's.

The confusion often happens because the names sound similar and because Apple TV (the device or app) can play content from many services. But the app is just a container. What you watch depends on which services you pay for.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple TV+ and Paramount+ are separate subscriptions from different companies, and paying for one does not give you the other.
  • Apple TV+ costs around $9.99 per month and includes only Apple's original shows, films, and licensed content.
  • Paramount+ costs between $5.99 and $11.99 per month depending on whether you choose the ad-supported or ad-free plan.
  • You can watch both services through the Apple TV app on most devices, but you must pay for both subscriptions separately.
  • Some bundle options exist — like Paramount+ through Amazon Prime Video or Apple One — but these are add-ons you purchase in addition to your base subscription.

What comes with an Apple TV+ subscription

When you pay for Apple TV+, you get access to Apple's original programming. This includes shows like Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, and Foundation, plus films and documentaries produced by Apple. You also get some licensed content — older films and shows Apple has purchased rights to stream.

Apple TV+ does not include live television, news broadcasts, or content from other studios' back catalogs. It is a smaller library than Netflix or Disney+, focused on quality over quantity. The service costs around $9.99 per month, though the price varies by region and Apple sometimes offers free trials or bundled pricing.

What comes with a Paramount+ subscription

Paramount+ gives you access to current and past episodes of CBS shows, movies from the Paramount film studio, and original series made for the platform. You can watch shows like Star Trek: Discovery, The Offer, and Yellowstone, plus live CBS broadcasts if you choose the higher-tier plan.

Paramount+ offers two pricing tiers. The ad-supported plan costs around $5.99 per month and includes ads during playback. The ad-free plan costs around $11.99 per month. The higher tier also includes live CBS feeds and the ability to read episodes to watch offline. Prices vary by region and change periodically.

How to get both services if you want them

You subscribe to each service separately. Open the Apple TV app on your device, search for the content you want, and the app will tell you which service carries it. If you do not have that service, you can subscribe directly through the app or through the service's website.

Some people bundle services to save money. Apple One (Apple's bundle) includes Apple TV+, Apple Music, iCloud storage, and other Apple services, but it does not include Paramount+. Amazon Prime Video offers Paramount+ as an add-on subscription, which some people find convenient if they already use Prime. Neither bundle gives you Paramount+ automatically — you still choose and pay for it separately.

Why the names cause confusion

Apple TV is the name of three different things: the hardware device you plug into your television, the app you use to watch streaming content, and Apple TV+ the subscription service. This overlap in naming makes it straightforward to assume they are all one thing.

The Apple TV app is designed to work with many services — Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, HBO Max, and others. You can launch the app and search across all your subscriptions at once. But the app is just a player. It does not determine what you have access to. Your subscriptions do.

Checking what you have access to right now

Open the Apple TV app on your device and sign in with your Apple ID. The app will show you which services you are currently subscribed to. Look for a "Subscriptions" or "Account" section — the exact location varies by device, but it is usually in the settings or menu area.

You can also check by searching for a specific show or movie. If the app shows a price next to it, you do not have access through a current subscription. If it shows a "Watch" button with no price, you have access through one of your subscriptions.

Other ways to watch Paramount+ content

You do not have to use the Apple TV app. Paramount+ has its own app available on most devices — phones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming boxes, and computers. You can read the Paramount+ app directly and sign in with your Paramount+ account.

Some cable packages still include Paramount+ access as part of a bundle, though this is becoming less common. Check your cable provider's website or call them to see if Paramount+ is included in your plan. If it is, you can link your cable login to the Paramount+ app to watch without a separate subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have Apple One, do I get Paramount+?

No. Apple One includes Apple TV+, Apple Music, iCloud storage, and Apple Arcade, but not Paramount+. You would need to subscribe to Paramount+ separately if you want it.

Can I watch Paramount+ through the Apple TV app without subscribing to Apple TV+?

Yes. The Apple TV app works with many services. You can subscribe to Paramount+ alone and watch it through the Apple TV app without paying for Apple TV+. The app is just a player that works with multiple services.

Does Paramount+ cost extra if I watch it through the Apple TV app?

No. The price is the same whether you subscribe through the Paramount+ app, the Apple TV app, or Paramount's website. The app you use does not change the cost.

What if I want to cancel Apple TV+ but keep Paramount+?

You can cancel each subscription independently. Go to your account settings on whichever device or website you used to subscribe, find the subscription, and select cancel. Canceling Apple TV+ does not affect Paramount+ or any other service.

Is there a bundle that includes both Apple TV+ and Paramount+?

Not directly from Apple or Paramount. You can add Paramount+ to Amazon Prime Video if you use Prime, and you can bundle Apple TV+ with other Apple services through Apple One, but there is no single package that combines both at a discount.