Does YouTube TV Include Paramount Plus, and What Are Your Other Options

Paramount Plus is not included with YouTube TV

YouTube TV does not bundle Paramount Plus with its base subscription. YouTube TV carries live television channels and on-demand content from networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and others, but Paramount Plus is a separate streaming service owned by Paramount that you would need to pay for on its own.

If you want both services, you will need two separate subscriptions. YouTube TV costs one monthly fee, and Paramount Plus costs another. Some people find this worthwhile because the two services offer different content — YouTube TV focuses on live TV and recent episodes, while Paramount Plus specializes in back catalogs, original series, and movies from the Paramount library.

Key Takeaways

YouTube TV does not include Paramount Plus; they are two separate services with different owners and different content libraries.
YouTube TV gives you live television from major networks, while Paramount Plus offers on-demand movies, series, and originals from the Paramount catalog.
Some cable and streaming bundles do include Paramount Plus, so if you already subscribe to another service, check whether Paramount Plus is already part of your plan.
Paramount Plus occasionally offers discounted rates if you bundle it with other services like Apple TV Channels or Amazon Prime Video.

What YouTube TV actually includes

YouTube TV is a live television streaming service. Your subscription gives you access to dozens of live channels — including CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and others — plus cloud DVR storage so you can record shows and watch them later. You also get on-demand episodes from those networks, usually the most recent season or two.

The service does not include premium cable channels like HBO, Showtime, or Starz unless you add them as paid add-ons. Paramount Plus works the same way — it is available as a paid add-on through YouTube TV, but it is not part of the base package. If you add Paramount Plus through YouTube TV, you pay YouTube TV's base fee plus the Paramount Plus add-on fee, which currently runs about $6 to $12 per month depending on whether you choose the ad-supported or ad-free version.

Where Paramount Plus actually comes bundled

Paramount Plus is included free with some other services, but not YouTube TV. If you subscribe to Paramount's own cable bundle called Paramount+ with Showtime, you get both services together. Some wireless carriers also bundle Paramount Plus — for example, certain Verizon plans include it at no extra cost.

Amazon Prime Video subscribers can add Paramount Plus as a channel through Prime Video's add-on system, and some Prime tiers include it automatically. Apple TV Channels also offers Paramount Plus as an add-on. The key difference is that these are all separate companies making separate deals — YouTube TV has not made that deal with Paramount.

Why YouTube TV and Paramount Plus are separate

YouTube TV is owned by Google. Paramount Plus is owned by Paramount Global, a different company. Each company controls what gets bundled with its own service. YouTube TV includes channels that Paramount owns or has licensing agreements with, but Paramount Plus as a standalone streaming service is not part of that arrangement.

This is similar to how Netflix is not bundled with YouTube TV either, even though both are streaming services. Each company negotiates its own deals and sets its own pricing. If you want both YouTube TV and Paramount Plus, you are paying two separate companies for two separate services.

How to add Paramount Plus if you already have YouTube TV

If you use YouTube TV and want to add Paramount Plus, you have two routes. The first is to add it directly through YouTube TV's add-ons menu. Log into your YouTube TV account, go to Settings, select Memberships, and look for Paramount Plus in the available add-ons. You can turn it on there, and it will appear on your YouTube TV bill.

The second route is to subscribe to Paramount Plus separately through Paramount's own website or app. This keeps the two subscriptions completely separate — you pay Paramount directly, and you manage your Paramount Plus account independently from YouTube TV. Some people prefer this because they can cancel one service without affecting the other, or because they want to use Paramount Plus on devices that do not work well with YouTube TV's add-on system.

Comparing the cost of both services

YouTube TV's base subscription currently costs around $73 per month and includes dozens of live channels plus cloud DVR. Paramount Plus costs $6 per month with ads or $12 per month without ads. If you add Paramount Plus through YouTube TV, you pay YouTube TV's price plus the Paramount Plus add-on fee, so your total would be roughly $79 to $85 per month depending on which Paramount Plus tier you choose.

If you subscribe to both services separately, the math is the same — you are paying both companies. The advantage of adding it through YouTube TV is that it appears on one bill. The advantage of subscribing separately is that you have more control over each subscription and can cancel one without touching the other.

What to watch on Paramount Plus that is not on YouTube TV

Paramount Plus carries the full back catalog of shows from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central, plus movies from the Paramount film library. YouTube TV gives you current and recent episodes of those networks' shows, but not the older seasons. If you want to watch earlier seasons of shows like The Office, Yellowstone, or Star Trek, you need Paramount Plus.

Paramount Plus also produces original series and films that do not air on traditional television at all. YouTube TV does not carry these originals because they exist only on the Paramount Plus streaming platform. So the two services genuinely offer different content — it is not just a matter of one being cheaper than the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Paramount Plus free with YouTube TV?

No. YouTube TV does not include Paramount Plus in its base subscription. You can add Paramount Plus as a paid add-on through YouTube TV, or you can subscribe to it separately through Paramount's website. Either way, you pay for it.

If I add Paramount Plus through YouTube TV, can I use it on all my devices?

Yes. When you add Paramount Plus through YouTube TV, you get a full Paramount Plus account that works on any device Paramount Plus supports — phones, tablets, smart TVs, computers, and streaming devices. It is the same service as if you subscribed directly to Paramount.

What if I cancel YouTube TV but want to keep Paramount Plus?

If you added Paramount Plus through YouTube TV, canceling YouTube TV will also cancel your Paramount Plus add-on. If you want to keep Paramount Plus, you would need to subscribe to it separately through Paramount's website before you cancel YouTube TV, or sign up for it fresh after you cancel.

Does YouTube TV include any other streaming services?

YouTube TV offers several premium channels and streaming services as paid add-ons, including HBO Max, Showtime, Starz, and others. None of these are included in the base subscription. You choose which add-ons you want and pay for each one separately.

Is it cheaper to get Paramount Plus through YouTube TV or subscribe separately?

The price is the same either way. You pay the same monthly fee for Paramount Plus whether you add it through YouTube TV or subscribe directly. The choice is about convenience — one bill versus two, or keeping subscriptions separate so you can cancel one without affecting the other.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.