Paramount Plus has roughly 70 million subscribers worldwide as of late 2024

Paramount Plus does not release exact subscriber counts in real time, so the most recent public figure comes from Paramount Global's earnings reports. The company reported approximately 70 million subscribers across all tiers (ad-supported and ad-free) in the third quarter of 2024. This number includes both the United States and international markets where the service operates.

The subscriber count has grown significantly since Paramount Plus launched in 2020. The service started with a few million users and has added tens of millions over four years, though growth has slowed compared to earlier years. Paramount Global stopped breaking out subscriber numbers by individual service in 2023, so the 70 million figure represents Paramount Plus combined with Paramount Plus with Showtime, which bundled together in late 2023.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus reported around 70 million subscribers in late 2024, combining both ad-supported and ad-free tiers.
  • The company bundles Paramount Plus with Paramount Plus with Showtime into one subscriber count, so the figure includes both services.
  • Paramount Global reports subscriber numbers quarterly in earnings calls, not monthly, so the most current figure is always a few months old.
  • The subscriber base grew fastest in 2021 and 2022, with slower growth in 2023 and 2024 as the market became more saturated.

Where Paramount Plus gets its subscriber numbers from

Paramount Global reports subscriber counts during quarterly earnings calls with investors. These calls happen after the end of each quarter (March, June, September, and December), so the most recent public number is always at least one to three months old. The company presents the figure to shareholders and financial analysts, and the number becomes public record through SEC filings and press releases.

Paramount does not break down how many subscribers use the ad-supported tier versus the ad-free tier, or how many are in the United States versus international regions. The 70 million figure is a combined total across all versions of the service. This means the actual number of people paying for ad-free Paramount Plus could be significantly lower than the headline number.

How Paramount Plus subscriber growth has changed over time

Paramount Plus grew fastest in its first two years. The service launched in March 2020 with CBS All Access content and added movies and shows from the Paramount film library. By the end of 2021, the company reported 32 million subscribers. Growth accelerated through 2022, reaching 55 million by the end of that year.

Growth slowed noticeably in 2023 and 2024. The service added roughly 15 million subscribers between the end of 2022 and late 2024, compared to 23 million in the single year of 2022. This slowdown reflects a broader pattern across streaming services: the easiest customers to reach have already signed up, and adding new subscribers requires either price increases (which can drive people away) or spending more on content (which reduces profit margins).

Why subscriber counts matter less than they used to

Streaming companies once competed primarily on subscriber numbers, treating them as a measure of success. Paramount Global and other studios have shifted focus to profitability and revenue per subscriber instead. A service with 50 million paying subscribers who watch frequently and tolerate ads generates more profit than a service with 100 million subscribers who rarely watch and churn quickly.

Paramount Plus introduced an ad-supported tier in 2022 and made it the default option for new subscribers in 2023. This move brought in more subscribers at lower prices, which increased the headline number but did not necessarily increase revenue. The company now emphasizes how many subscribers pay for ad-free access and how much revenue each subscriber generates, rather than total subscriber count alone.

How Paramount Plus compares to other streaming services

Netflix remains the largest streaming service by subscriber count, with over 250 million subscribers as of late 2024. Disney Plus has around 150 million subscribers. Amazon Prime Video has roughly 200 million subscribers, though that number includes people who subscribe primarily for shipping benefits rather than video content. Paramount Plus ranks below all three of these services.

Paramount Plus competes more directly with services like HBO Max (around 60 million subscribers) and Apple TV Plus (around 25 million). The service has a narrower content library than Netflix or Disney Plus, focusing on Paramount film releases, CBS television shows, and Showtime content. This narrower focus means it attracts fewer subscribers overall but may retain subscribers more effectively if they are fans of those specific franchises and networks.

What affects Paramount Plus subscriber numbers

New movie releases and television premieres drive short-term subscriber growth. When Paramount releases a major film exclusively on Paramount Plus or premieres a popular show, the service typically sees a spike in new sign-ups. The company strategically times some releases to boost quarterly numbers before earnings calls.

Price changes also affect subscriber counts. Paramount Plus raised prices multiple times between 2022 and 2024, which typically causes some subscribers to cancel. The company balances the revenue gained from higher prices against the subscribers lost to cancellations. Bundling with Showtime in late 2023 added subscribers but also increased the price for existing customers, leading to some churn.

Competition from other services and password-sharing crackdowns also influence numbers. As more streaming services launch and raise prices, some households cancel subscriptions they do not use regularly. Paramount Global's efforts to prevent password sharing (similar to Netflix's approach) may reduce the number of people with access to the service without paying, which could lower subscriber counts if those people do not convert to paid accounts.

How to find the most current subscriber count

Paramount Global publishes earnings reports on its investor relations website after each quarterly earnings call. These reports include the subscriber count for Paramount Plus and other company metrics. You can find them by searching "Paramount Global earnings" and looking for the investor relations section of the company website.

Financial news outlets like CNBC, Bloomberg, and Variety also report on subscriber numbers when ready after earnings calls. These articles often include analysis of whether the number met expectations and what it means for the company's future. The reports are published within hours of the earnings call, so they are usually the fastest way to learn about new subscriber figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 70 million subscriber number just for the United States?

No. The 70 million figure includes Paramount Plus subscribers in all countries where the service operates, including the United States, Canada, Latin America, and other regions. Paramount Global does not break down the number by country or region in its public reports.

Does the subscriber count include people on free trials?

Paramount Global does not specify whether free trial users are counted in the subscriber total. Most streaming services count trial users as subscribers in their headline numbers, but the company does not clarify this in earnings reports. The actual number of paying subscribers is likely lower than the reported figure.

How often does Paramount release updated subscriber numbers?

Paramount Global reports subscriber counts once per quarter during earnings calls, which happen in late April, late July, late October, and late January. This means new figures become public roughly every three months. The company does not release monthly or weekly subscriber updates.

Why did Paramount Plus combine with Showtime in the subscriber count?

Paramount Global merged Paramount Plus and Paramount Plus with Showtime into a single service in late 2023. After the merger, the company stopped reporting them as separate products. The combined subscriber count reflects both the base Paramount Plus service and the version that includes Showtime content.

Can I see how many subscribers Paramount Plus had in previous years?

Yes. Paramount Global's investor relations website archives past earnings reports and press releases going back to 2020. You can find historical subscriber counts by looking at quarterly reports from previous years. This lets you see how the service has grown over time and compare growth rates across different periods.