Paramount Plus made major changes to its streaming plans and pricing in 2024

Paramount Plus restructured its service in May 2024, combining what was once two separate streaming apps—Paramount Plus and CBS—into a single platform. The company also changed its pricing tiers, removed the cheapest ad-free plan, and shifted how it handles password sharing. If you have not logged in for a few months, the service you return to will look and work differently than before.

The biggest visible change is the merger itself. CBS All Access, which existed as its own app, no longer exists as a separate service. All CBS content now lives inside Paramount Plus. If you were paying for CBS All Access, your subscription converted to a Paramount Plus plan at the same price point.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus merged with CBS All Access in May 2024, so CBS shows and sports now stream through the Paramount Plus app instead of a separate one.
  • The cheapest ad-free plan ($11.99 per month) was removed, leaving only an ad-supported plan ($5.99) and a higher-priced ad-free option ($12.99).
  • Paramount Plus now requires you to sign in from the same household as the account holder at least once every 30 days, or you lose access on that device.
  • The service added a "Paramount Plus with Showtime" tier that bundles both services together for $15.99 per month with ads or $23.99 without ads.

Changes to pricing and plan options

Before May 2024, Paramount Plus offered three tiers: an ad-supported plan at $5.99 per month, an ad-free plan at $11.99 per month, and a bundle with Showtime at $14.99 per month. In the restructuring, the $11.99 ad-free plan disappeared. Current subscribers on that plan were moved to the $12.99 ad-free tier, a $1 monthly increase.

The new structure has four options. The basic ad-supported plan remains $5.99 per month. The ad-free plan is now $12.99 per month. A new "Paramount Plus with Showtime" bundle costs $15.99 per month with ads or $23.99 per month without ads. Annual subscriptions are also available at a discount if you pay upfront.

If you were grandfathered into an older, cheaper rate, Paramount Plus has not forced you to upgrade yet, but the company has stated it will eventually move all users to the current pricing structure. When that happens, you will receive notice before your rate changes.

How the CBS merger affects what you watch

The merger means you no longer need two apps to watch CBS and Paramount content. All CBS shows, sports, and news now stream through Paramount Plus. If you were a CBS All Access subscriber, your account automatically became a Paramount Plus account with the same login credentials.

Live CBS broadcasts are included in both the ad-supported and ad-free tiers, so you can watch local news, sports, and primetime shows as they air. On-demand CBS content—shows you can watch anytime—is also included in both tiers. The main difference between tiers is whether you see ads during playback, not what content you can access.

Password sharing and household rules

Paramount Plus now enforces a household rule for password sharing. You must sign in from the same household as the account holder at least once every 30 days, or you will lose access on that device. This applies whether you are using the app on a phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device like a Roku or Apple TV.

The service defines "household" as devices on the same home internet network. If you travel or live part-time in another location, you can still use your account, but you need to sign in again within 30 days to keep access active. If you do not sign in within that window, you will be logged out and asked to verify your household membership before you can watch again.

Unlike some competitors, Paramount Plus does not charge extra for sharing outside your household. The 30-day sign-in requirement is the enforcement mechanism, not a paid add-on.

Changes to the user interface and app experience

The merged app has a redesigned home screen that combines Paramount and CBS content in a single feed. The navigation menu now includes sections for CBS News, CBS Sports, and live TV alongside the regular Paramount categories like movies and originals. If you are used to the old Paramount Plus layout, the new organization may take a few minutes to navigate.

Search and recommendations have also been updated to pull from the combined library. When you search for a show or movie, results now include both Paramount and CBS titles. The "Continue Watching" section tracks your progress across both services, so you do not have to switch apps to pick up where you left off.

What happened to Paramount Plus originals and exclusive content

Paramount Plus originals like Yellowstone, The Handmaid's Tale, Halo, and 1883 remain exclusive to the service and have not moved. The merger did not change what shows are available or where they stream. CBS originals and long-running series like The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless are now accessible through Paramount Plus instead of a separate CBS app.

Live sports coverage, including NFL games, NCAA football, and golf tournaments, is still available to subscribers in both tiers. The content library itself did not shrink—it expanded by adding CBS content to Paramount Plus rather than splitting it across two apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay more if I was already a Paramount Plus subscriber?

If you were on the $5.99 ad-supported plan, your price did not change. If you were on the $11.99 ad-free plan, you were moved to the $12.99 tier, a $1 increase per month. If you were on an older promotional rate, you may keep that price until Paramount Plus notifies you of a change.

Can I still watch CBS shows without paying extra?

Yes. CBS content is included in both the $5.99 ad-supported plan and the $12.99 ad-free plan. You do not need a separate CBS subscription or the Showtime bundle to watch CBS shows and live broadcasts.

What if I share my password with someone outside my home?

They can still use your account, but they must sign in at least once every 30 days from their location. If 30 days pass without a sign-in, they will be logged out and asked to verify household membership. There is no extra fee to share outside your household—the 30-day sign-in is the only requirement.

Did Paramount Plus remove any shows or movies in the merger?

The merger did not remove content. It combined two libraries into one app. You now have access to both Paramount and CBS content through a single subscription instead of needing two separate apps.

Can I still watch Paramount Plus on my TV?

Yes. The app works on all the same devices as before: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, PlayStation, Xbox, and others. You must sign in from your home network at least once every 30 days to keep access active on each device.