Paramount Plus is not automatically free with DISH, but some DISH packages include it at no extra cost for a limited time

Whether Paramount Plus comes free with DISH depends on which DISH package you have and when you signed up. DISH has offered Paramount Plus free for three, six, or twelve months as a promotional add-on with certain packages — most often the higher-tier plans like DISH Preferred or DISH America. After the promotional period ends, you pay the standard Paramount Plus subscription fee unless you cancel it.

The catch is that these offers change frequently and vary by region. A package that includes free Paramount Plus today might not include it next month, and what one DISH customer receives may differ from what another gets based on their location, plan level, or when they subscribed. You need to check your specific account or contact DISH directly to know whether your package includes it.

Key Takeaways

  • DISH sometimes bundles Paramount Plus free for a set period (usually 3 to 12 months) with mid-to-high-tier packages, but this is a promotional offer that expires.
  • After the free period ends, Paramount Plus charges the standard monthly subscription fee unless you cancel the add-on.
  • The availability of free Paramount Plus varies by DISH package level, your location, and the current promotion running at the time you subscribe.
  • You can check whether your account includes free Paramount Plus by logging into your DISH account online or calling DISH customer service.
  • If your package does not include it free, you can still add Paramount Plus as a paid add-on through DISH or subscribe directly to Paramount Plus outside of DISH.

How to check if your DISH package includes free Paramount Plus

Log into your DISH account at dish.com and go to your account settings or billing section. Look for any active promotional offers or add-ons listed under your current package. If Paramount Plus appears there with a $0 charge or a note saying "free for X months," you have it included. If it does not appear at all, your package does not include it.

If you prefer not to check online, call DISH customer service at 1-800-333-3474. A representative can tell you exactly what is included in your package and whether a free Paramount Plus offer is active on your account. They can also tell you when the free period ends, if one is running.

What happens when the free Paramount Plus period ends

When your promotional period expires, DISH will begin charging you the standard Paramount Plus subscription fee each month unless you remove the add-on before the expiration date. The fee is typically $5.99 per month for the ad-supported tier or $11.99 per month for the ad-free tier, though these prices can change.

DISH usually sends a notice via email or mail a few days before the free period ends, reminding you that charges will begin. If you do not want to pay for Paramount Plus after the promotion ends, you can cancel the add-on through your DISH account online or by calling customer service. Canceling the add-on does not affect your DISH TV service.

DISH packages most likely to include free Paramount Plus

DISH Preferred and DISH America — the mid-to-high-tier packages — have historically been the ones bundled with free Paramount Plus during promotional periods. These packages include more channels and premium content than the entry-level DISH Smart Pack, so DISH uses Paramount Plus as an incentive to attract customers to the higher tiers.

Lower-tier packages like DISH Smart Pack rarely include free Paramount Plus, though DISH occasionally runs promotions that add it temporarily to all new subscribers regardless of package level. The only way to know what your specific package includes is to check your account or contact DISH directly, since promotions change regularly and vary by location.

Adding Paramount Plus if it is not included in your package

If your DISH package does not include free Paramount Plus, you have two options. You can add it as a paid add-on through DISH for the standard monthly fee, which appears on your DISH bill. Alternatively, you can subscribe to Paramount Plus directly through the Paramount Plus website or app without going through DISH, which gives you the same service at the same price.

Subscribing directly to Paramount Plus outside of DISH can sometimes be simpler if you want to manage your subscription separately from your TV bill, or if you want to take advantage of promotional offers that Paramount Plus runs directly (such as discounted annual plans). Either way, you pay the same amount — the only difference is whether the charge appears on your DISH bill or your credit card statement.

Comparing DISH bundles with other TV providers

Other major TV providers also bundle streaming services with their packages. YouTube TV includes YouTube Premium and YouTube Music with most plans. Hulu + Live TV includes Disney Plus and ESPN Plus with all subscriptions. Xfinity sometimes includes Peacock or Showtime depending on the package and promotion.

If Paramount Plus is important to you and your current DISH package does not include it free, it may be worth comparing what other providers offer. However, the total cost of the TV package, the channels included, and the streaming services bundled together should all factor into your decision, not just Paramount Plus alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get free Paramount Plus with DISH if I already have an account?

Existing customers sometimes receive promotional offers for free Paramount Plus, but these are less common than offers for new subscribers. Contact DISH customer service to ask whether any current promotions explore to your account. New promotions may become available periodically, so it is worth checking back if you are not offered one now.

Does the free Paramount Plus from DISH include ads?

DISH does not specify which tier of Paramount Plus (ad-supported or ad-free) is included in promotional bundles. When you first access Paramount Plus through DISH, you will see which tier is active on your account. If you want the ad-free version and your bundle includes only the ad-supported tier, you can usually upgrade for an additional monthly fee.

What if I cancel DISH? Do I lose Paramount Plus?

Yes. If Paramount Plus was bundled free with your DISH package, canceling DISH also cancels the Paramount Plus add-on. If you want to keep Paramount Plus after leaving DISH, you would need to subscribe to it directly through Paramount Plus or another provider before your DISH service ends.

Can I use the free DISH Paramount Plus on multiple devices?

Yes. Paramount Plus allows you to stream on multiple devices simultaneously depending on your subscription tier. The ad-supported plan allows one stream at a time, while the ad-free plan allows two simultaneous streams. This is the same whether you subscribe through DISH or directly through Paramount Plus.