Paramount Plus is available on YouTube TV, but only with an add-on subscription
Paramount Plus does not come with a standard YouTube TV membership. You can add it as a paid channel for an extra monthly fee, and once you do, you can watch Paramount Plus content through the YouTube TV app on the same devices where you watch YouTube TV itself. The add-on appears in your YouTube TV guide and library alongside your other channels.
YouTube TV's base package includes live TV channels like CBS (which carries some Paramount content), but the full Paramount Plus streaming library — movies, exclusive series, live sports, and back catalogs — requires the separate add-on. The cost and what you get depend on which Paramount Plus plan you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus is an add-on to YouTube TV, not included in the base package, and costs extra each month.
- Once added, Paramount Plus content appears in your YouTube TV app on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices.
- You can choose between the ad-supported or ad-free Paramount Plus plan when you add it to YouTube TV.
- YouTube TV's base package includes the CBS live channel, but that is not the same as having the full Paramount Plus library.
How to add Paramount Plus to your YouTube TV account
Open YouTube TV on any device where you watch it. Go to your account settings or the menu (usually three horizontal lines in the top left or right corner). Look for "Add-ons" or "Memberships" — the exact label varies by device. Search for Paramount Plus in the add-ons list.
Select the Paramount Plus plan you want: the version with ads or the ad-free version. YouTube TV will show you the monthly price for each. Confirm your choice, and the add-on will be added to your account when ready. You should see Paramount Plus content in your YouTube TV guide and library within a few minutes, though sometimes it takes up to an hour to appear on all your devices.
If you already have a Paramount Plus subscription outside of YouTube TV, you cannot merge the two accounts. You would need to cancel one or the other to avoid paying twice. Check your billing carefully if you have both.
What devices let you watch Paramount Plus through YouTube TV
Paramount Plus on YouTube TV works on the same devices that YouTube TV itself supports: phones and tablets running iOS or Android, computers using a web browser, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV, and Samsung Smart TVs. If YouTube TV works on your device, Paramount Plus should work there too once you add it.
The app experience is the same as watching YouTube TV normally — you open YouTube TV, and Paramount Plus content is integrated into your guide and search results. You do not read a separate Paramount Plus app or log in twice. Everything runs through YouTube TV.
Cost and billing for Paramount Plus on YouTube TV
Paramount Plus pricing through YouTube TV is the same as subscribing to Paramount Plus directly, though YouTube TV handles the billing. As of now, the ad-supported plan costs less per month than the ad-free plan, but prices change and vary by region. YouTube TV will show you the exact current price before you confirm the add-on.
The charge appears on your YouTube TV bill each month. If you cancel the add-on, it stops at the end of your current billing cycle — you will not be charged again, but you will lose access to Paramount Plus content when ready. You can add it back anytime.
Differences between YouTube TV's CBS channel and Paramount Plus
YouTube TV's base package includes CBS, the live broadcast network. CBS airs some Paramount Plus original series on a delayed schedule and carries sports, news, and other live programming. However, CBS live is not the same as Paramount Plus. The Paramount Plus streaming service has thousands of movies, complete series libraries, live sports events (including some NFL games and golf tournaments), and originals that never air on CBS.
If you want to watch Paramount Plus originals like Yellowstone, 1883, The Offer, or sports like the PGA Tour, you need the Paramount Plus add-on. The CBS channel alone will not give you access to those.
What to do if Paramount Plus is not showing up in your YouTube TV account
If you added Paramount Plus but do not see it in your guide or library, try signing out of YouTube TV completely and signing back in. Restart the app or refresh your browser. If you are on a phone or tablet, force-close the YouTube TV app and reopen it. Sometimes the content takes up to an hour to sync across all your devices.
Check your billing page to confirm the add-on was actually charged and is active. If you see the charge but still cannot find Paramount Plus content, try removing the add-on and adding it again. If the problem persists, contact YouTube TV support through the app or website — they can see whether the add-on is active on your account and troubleshoot from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Paramount Plus on YouTube TV without paying extra?
No. Paramount Plus is a paid add-on to YouTube TV. YouTube TV's base package includes the CBS broadcast channel, but not the full Paramount Plus streaming library. You must add Paramount Plus as a separate subscription to watch its content.
Do I need a separate Paramount Plus account if I add it through YouTube TV?
No. When you add Paramount Plus through YouTube TV, your YouTube TV login gives you access to Paramount Plus. You do not create or manage a separate Paramount Plus account. Everything is billed and managed through YouTube TV.
Can I share my YouTube TV Paramount Plus add-on with family members?
Yes, anyone who has access to your YouTube TV account can watch Paramount Plus content on any device where you are logged in. YouTube TV allows multiple household members to watch simultaneously on different devices, and that includes Paramount Plus.
What happens to my Paramount Plus add-on if I cancel YouTube TV?
The Paramount Plus add-on cancels along with YouTube TV. If you want to keep Paramount Plus after canceling YouTube TV, you would need to subscribe to it directly through Paramount or another provider. You cannot keep just the add-on without YouTube TV.
Is the Paramount Plus add-on on YouTube TV the same price as subscribing directly?
The monthly cost is the same, but YouTube TV handles the billing instead of Paramount. Pricing varies by region and plan (ad-supported or ad-free). YouTube TV shows you the exact price before you confirm the add-on.