Paramount Plus has raised its prices multiple times since launch, and the company continues to adjust costs based on the plan you choose

Paramount Plus increased its standard subscription price in October 2023, moving the ad-free plan from $11.99 to $13.99 per month. The ad-supported plan stayed at $5.99 per month at that time, though pricing varies by region and changes periodically. The company has not announced a specific date for the next increase, but streaming services typically raise prices every 12 to 18 months based on content costs and subscriber growth.

Price changes affect existing subscribers differently depending on your plan and when you signed up. Some long-term subscribers may keep their original rate for a limited period before being moved to the new price. Paramount Plus notifies subscribers by email before any price change takes effect, usually giving 30 days' notice.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus raised its ad-free plan to $13.99 per month in October 2023, while the ad-supported plan remained at $5.99 per month.
  • Streaming services typically increase prices every 12 to 18 months, though Paramount Plus has not announced a specific date for the next increase.
  • The company sends email notifications at least 30 days before a price change takes effect on your account.
  • Switching to the ad-supported plan or bundling with other services like Showtime can reduce your monthly cost.

How Paramount Plus Pricing Currently Works

Paramount Plus offers two main subscription tiers. The ad-supported plan costs $5.99 per month and includes commercials during shows and movies. The ad-free plan costs $13.99 per month and removes ads from most content (some live events may still include ads). Both plans give you access to the same library of shows, movies, and live sports.

Paramount Plus also offers annual billing options that provide a small discount if you pay for 12 months upfront rather than monthly. The exact annual price depends on which plan you choose and your region. Some bundle options combine Paramount Plus with Showtime or other services at a discounted rate compared to paying for each separately.

Why Streaming Services Raise Prices

Paramount Plus increases prices to cover the cost of producing and licensing new content. The company spends billions annually on original shows, movies, and sports rights. As more people subscribe, the cost per subscriber decreases, but the total spending on content continues to rise. Price increases help offset these growing expenses.

Competition also influences pricing decisions. When other streaming services raise their prices, companies like Paramount Plus often follow within months. The company balances keeping prices competitive with generating enough revenue to fund content production and maintain the service.

What Happens When Your Price Increases

Paramount Plus sends an email notification to your registered account address before any price increase takes effect. The notification includes the new price, the effective date, and instructions for managing your subscription. You typically have at least 30 days from the notification date before the new price applies to your account.

During that 30-day window, you can cancel your subscription without penalty, downgrade to a cheaper plan, or switch to annual billing if it offers better value. If you do nothing, your subscription automatically renews at the new price on your next billing date. The company does not charge you the new price until your current billing cycle ends.

Ways to Reduce Your Monthly Cost

Switching to the ad-supported plan is the most direct way to lower your bill. You lose ad-free viewing but keep access to all the same content. If you only watch occasionally, this plan may be worth the trade-off.

Bundling services can also save money. Paramount Plus offers packages that combine the streaming service with Showtime or other add-ons at a lower total price than subscribing to each separately. Some internet or phone providers also include Paramount Plus as part of their package, so check with your current provider before paying separately.

Annual billing typically costs less than 12 months of monthly payments. If you know you will keep the subscription for a full year, paying upfront saves roughly one month's cost. Some promotions offer discounted annual rates for new or returning subscribers, though these deals change frequently.

Tracking Price Changes Over Time

Paramount Plus launched in March 2021 with an ad-free plan at $9.99 per month and an ad-supported plan at $4.99 per month. In June 2022, the ad-free plan increased to $11.99 per month while the ad-supported plan stayed at $4.99. The October 2023 increase moved the ad-free plan to $13.99 per month and raised the ad-supported plan to $5.99 per month.

These increases reflect the pattern of most streaming services, which raise prices roughly every 12 to 18 months. The amount of each increase varies—some years see larger jumps than others depending on content spending and market conditions. Regional pricing also differs, so subscribers in different countries may pay different amounts in their local currency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Paramount Plus prices go up again soon?

The company has not announced a specific date for the next increase. Streaming services typically raise prices every 12 to 18 months, so another increase is possible in 2025 or later, but no official announcement has been made. Paramount Plus will notify you by email at least 30 days before any change takes effect.

Can I lock in my current price if I pay annually?

Annual billing does not protect you from future price increases. When your annual subscription renews, it renews at whatever price is current at that time. However, paying annually does save money compared to monthly billing in the year you purchase it.

Do price increases explore to everyone at the same time?

No. Paramount Plus phases in price increases over several months, so some subscribers may see the new price before others. The timing depends on your billing cycle and region. You will receive an email notification specific to your account before the change applies to you.

What happens if I cancel during the 30-day notice period?

You can cancel without penalty during the 30 days after receiving a price increase notice. Your subscription remains active until the end of your current billing cycle. After cancellation, you lose access to the service, though you can resubscribe at any time.

Is the ad-supported plan worth switching to?

That depends on how much you watch and how much ads bother you. The ad-supported plan costs $5.99 per month versus $13.99 for ad-free, saving you $8 monthly. If you watch a few hours per week, the savings may outweigh the inconvenience of commercials.