What You Get With Paramount Plus Essential Plan at Walmart

The Paramount Plus Essential Plan at Walmart includes ads, but not Showtime

Walmart's bundle offers the Paramount Plus Essential plan, which is the ad-supported tier of Paramount Plus. This plan gives you access to most Paramount Plus content—movies, TV shows, originals like "Yellowstone" and "The Handmaid's Tale"—but it does not include Showtime channels or Showtime originals like "Dexter" or "Billions." If Showtime content matters to you, you would need to add a separate Showtime subscription or upgrade to a higher Paramount Plus tier.

The Essential plan works through Walmart Plus membership. When you pay for Walmart Plus, you receive the Paramount Plus Essential subscription as part of that bundle at no extra cost. The trade-off is that you watch ads during shows and movies, similar to watching cable television. Paramount Plus offers other tiers—Premium (ad-free) and Premium Plus (ad-free with 4K)—but those are not included in the Walmart Plus bundle.

Key Takeaways

Paramount Plus Essential through Walmart Plus includes most Paramount Plus content but excludes Showtime channels and Showtime original series.
The Essential plan shows advertisements during playback, while Premium and Premium Plus tiers (not in the Walmart bundle) offer ad-free viewing.
You cannot upgrade to Premium or Premium Plus through the Walmart Plus bundle; those require a separate Paramount Plus subscription.
Adding Showtime to your Paramount Plus account costs extra, whether you use the Walmart bundle or subscribe to Paramount Plus directly.

What Content the Essential Plan Includes

The Paramount Plus Essential plan covers the main Paramount Plus library. You get access to current and past seasons of shows like "Star Trek: Discovery," "Halo," and "The Offer." Movies from Paramount Pictures' catalog are available, along with sports events like NFL games and college football on CBS. You can also watch live TV feeds from CBS, depending on your location.

What you do not get: Showtime originals, Showtime live channels, or premium HBO content. Showtime is a separate premium service owned by Paramount, and it requires its own subscription even if you have Paramount Plus. The same applies to other add-ons like Paramount Plus with Showtime Premium or the Paramount Plus with Showtime Mega Pack—these are not part of the Walmart Plus bundle.

How Ads Work on the Essential Plan

When you watch something on Paramount Plus Essential, you will see commercials before, during, and sometimes after the content. The number and length of ads varies by show or movie. Some programs have shorter ad breaks; others have longer ones, similar to traditional broadcast television. You cannot skip these ads, and there is no way to remove them while staying on the Essential plan.

If ads are a dealbreaker, your only option is to cancel the Walmart Plus bundle and pay for Paramount Plus Premium or Premium Plus directly. Premium removes ads entirely. Premium Plus adds 4K video quality and the ability to read shows to watch offline. Both cost more than what you pay through Walmart Plus, so the trade-off is between saving money (Essential with ads) or paying more for a better viewing experience (Premium tiers).

Adding Showtime to Your Account

If you want Showtime content while keeping the Walmart Plus bundle, you can add Showtime as a separate subscription. You would pay for Showtime independently—either through Paramount Plus directly, through Amazon Prime Video Channels, or through other platforms that offer it. This means paying for both Walmart Plus (which includes Paramount Plus Essential) and Showtime on top of that.

The cost varies depending on where you add Showtime. Through Paramount's own website, Showtime costs between $11 and $13 per month depending on whether you want ads. Through Amazon Prime Video, it may be priced differently. Check the current pricing on each platform before deciding, because bundling costs can add up quickly if you are paying for multiple subscriptions.

Comparing Paramount Plus Tiers Available Outside Walmart

If you do not use Walmart Plus, you can subscribe to Paramount Plus directly in three ways. The Essential plan (with ads) is the cheapest option. Premium removes ads and costs more per month. Premium Plus adds 4K streaming and offline downloads for the highest price. None of these direct subscriptions include Showtime by default—you add it separately if you want it.

The Walmart Plus bundle locks you into Essential, so you cannot upgrade to Premium or Premium Plus through that route. If you need Premium or Premium Plus, you would have to cancel Walmart Plus and pay for Paramount Plus separately. For many people, Essential with ads is enough, and the Walmart Plus bundle saves money overall because you get other Walmart Plus benefits (free shipping, fuel discounts, grocery deals) along with the Paramount Plus subscription.

When You Might Need a Different Plan

The Essential plan works well if you watch Paramount Plus content casually and do not mind ads. It is the cheapest way to access most of the library. However, if you are a heavy viewer who watches multiple shows a week, ads can feel intrusive. If Showtime originals are important to you—shows like "Dexter: New Blood," "Penny Dreadful," or "The Chi"—you need to budget for Showtime separately.

Consider your actual viewing habits before committing. If you sign up for Walmart Plus mainly for the Paramount Plus benefit and then realize you want Showtime or ad-free viewing, you will end up paying more than if you had chosen a different subscription path from the start. Many people find that the Walmart Plus bundle is worth it for the other benefits (grocery discounts, free shipping), which makes the Paramount Plus Essential plan feel like a bonus rather than the main purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Showtime shows if I have Paramount Plus Essential through Walmart?

No. Showtime content is not included in the Essential plan. You would need to add a Showtime subscription separately, which costs extra on top of your Walmart Plus membership.

Does Paramount Plus Essential have a limited number of shows or movies?

The Essential plan has access to most of the Paramount Plus library, but some premium content may be restricted to Premium or Premium Plus tiers. The library changes regularly as titles are added and removed, so the exact number of titles varies.

Can I upgrade from Essential to Premium while using Walmart Plus?

No. The Walmart Plus bundle only includes Essential. If you want Premium or Premium Plus, you would need to cancel Walmart Plus and pay for Paramount Plus directly through Paramount's website or another provider.

How much does it cost to add Showtime to Paramount Plus Essential?

Showtime costs between $11 and $13 per month depending on the platform and whether you choose the ad-supported or ad-free version. Prices vary by provider, so check the current rates on Paramount's website or wherever you plan to add it.

Is the Walmart Plus bundle worth it just for Paramount Plus?

That depends on whether you use other Walmart Plus benefits like free shipping, fuel discounts, and grocery savings. If you use those regularly, the Paramount Plus Essential access is essentially free. If you only want Paramount Plus, a direct subscription might be cheaper.

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.