Paramount Plus is not included free with Amazon Prime

Paramount Plus and Amazon Prime Video are separate services run by different companies. Amazon does not bundle Paramount Plus with a Prime membership, and Paramount Plus does not come free with any Amazon subscription. If you want to watch Paramount Plus content, you pay Paramount Plus directly — there is no workaround through Amazon Prime that includes it at no extra cost.

Amazon Prime Video does include some content licensed from Paramount, but that is not the same as having Paramount Plus. The shows and movies available through Prime Video are a small fraction of what Paramount Plus offers, and they change based on licensing agreements. If you want the full Paramount Plus library — including live CBS broadcasts, exclusive series, and movies — you need a separate Paramount Plus subscription.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus requires its own paid subscription; it does not come free with Amazon Prime Video or any other Amazon service.
  • Amazon Prime Video includes some Paramount-licensed content, but this is not the same as having a Paramount Plus subscription.
  • Paramount Plus offers a with-ads plan and an ad-free plan, both of which cost money separate from any Amazon membership.
  • You can add a Paramount Plus subscription through Amazon Prime Video's add-on feature, but you still pay Paramount Plus directly — Amazon does not waive the fee.

What Amazon Prime Video actually includes from Paramount

Amazon Prime Video has licensing agreements with Paramount that allow it to show certain movies and older TV series. These titles rotate — some leave the service and others arrive based on what Paramount and Amazon have negotiated. The selection is not curated by Paramount Plus; it is whatever Amazon's contract allows.

This is different from Paramount Plus, which is Paramount's own streaming service. Paramount Plus includes live CBS feeds, new episodes of CBS shows the day after they air, exclusive Paramount Plus originals, movies from the Paramount film library, and back catalogs of shows that may not be on Prime Video. If you rely only on what Prime Video offers, you will miss most of what Paramount Plus has.

How to add Paramount Plus through Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video allows you to add certain streaming services as add-ons through your Prime account. Paramount Plus is one of them. If you go to your Prime Video settings and look for add-on subscriptions, you can select Paramount Plus and pay for it through Amazon.

This does not make Paramount Plus free. You still pay the full Paramount Plus subscription fee — Amazon straightforward processes the payment and bundles the billing into your Amazon account. The cost is identical to paying Paramount Plus directly. The only convenience is that you manage one bill instead of two, and you can cancel the add-on from your Prime account without logging into Paramount separately.

Paramount Plus pricing and plan options

Paramount Plus offers two subscription tiers. The with-ads plan costs less per month than the ad-free plan. Both plans give you access to the same content library; the difference is whether commercials play during shows and movies. Paramount Plus does not offer a free trial, though the pricing and trial availability can change.

If you add Paramount Plus through Amazon Prime Video, you pay the same monthly cost as you would by subscribing directly to Paramount Plus. There is no discount for bundling it with Prime. Some promotions or discounts may be available at certain times of year, but these explore whether you subscribe through Amazon or through Paramount's own website.

When you might see Paramount content on Prime Video

Prime Video sometimes promotes Paramount movies or shows that are available through your existing Prime membership. These are titles that fall under the licensing agreement between Amazon and Paramount. When you see a Paramount movie or show on Prime Video, it means you can watch it without paying extra — but only that specific title, not the entire Paramount Plus catalog.

If you search for a Paramount show or movie on Prime Video and it says "included with Prime," you can watch it. If it says "rent" or "buy," or if it directs you to Paramount Plus, then you either need to pay per title or have a Paramount Plus subscription. The labeling on Prime Video makes this clear, but it is straightforward to confuse "some Paramount content is on Prime Video" with "Paramount Plus is included with Prime Video."

Other ways to watch Paramount Plus

You can subscribe to Paramount Plus directly through Paramount's website or app without going through Amazon. You can also find Paramount Plus bundled with other services — for example, some cell phone plans or internet providers include it, and certain credit cards offer it as a cardholder benefit. Check your existing subscriptions and memberships to see if Paramount Plus is already included somewhere.

If you have a cable or satellite TV subscription that includes CBS, you may be able to log into the Paramount Plus app with your cable credentials and watch some content without paying for Paramount Plus separately. This varies by provider and by content — some Paramount Plus originals and movies are not available through cable login. Your cable provider's website or customer service can tell you what is included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Paramount Plus for free with Amazon Prime?

No. Paramount Plus requires a separate paid subscription. Amazon Prime Video includes some Paramount-licensed content, but that is not the same as having Paramount Plus. If you want the full Paramount Plus library, you need to pay for it.

What is the difference between Paramount content on Prime Video and Paramount Plus?

Prime Video has a limited selection of Paramount movies and shows based on licensing agreements. Paramount Plus is Paramount's full streaming service with live CBS, new episodes, originals, and a much larger library. Prime Video does not give you access to everything on Paramount Plus.

If I add Paramount Plus as an Amazon add-on, do I pay less?

No. Adding Paramount Plus through Amazon Prime Video costs the same as subscribing directly to Paramount Plus. Amazon straightforward processes the payment and lets you manage it through your Prime account. There is no discount for bundling.

Does Paramount Plus ever come free with any subscription?

Paramount Plus is sometimes included with certain cell phone plans, internet providers, or credit card benefits. Check your existing subscriptions to see if it is already included. Otherwise, you pay for it separately.

Can I use my cable login to watch Paramount Plus?

Some cable and satellite providers allow you to log into the Paramount Plus app with your cable credentials. This varies by provider and does not give you access to all Paramount Plus content — some originals and movies are only available to paid Paramount Plus subscribers.