Paramount Plus has raised prices multiple times since launch, and the pattern shows more increases are likely

Paramount Plus has increased its subscription cost at least four times since the service launched in 2020. The most recent price hike happened in 2024, when the ad-supported tier moved from $5.99 to $7.99 per month, and the ad-free tier jumped from $11.99 to $13.99 per month. These are not one-time adjustments — the service has raised prices roughly every 18 to 24 months, and streaming services typically continue this pattern as long as subscriber numbers hold steady.

The reason for the increases is straightforward: Paramount Plus spends heavily on original content, sports rights, and licensing fees. The service lost money for years while building its library, and price increases are how streaming platforms move toward profitability. Whether you stay subscribed depends on whether the content you watch justifies the cost for you personally.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus raised prices in 2024, with the ad-supported plan moving to $7.99 per month and the ad-free plan to $13.99 per month.
  • The service has a pattern of raising prices every 18 to 24 months, so further increases are reasonably predictable.
  • You can lock in your current rate for a limited time by paying annually instead of monthly, though the annual price also increases when the monthly rate does.
  • Canceling and resubscribing later during a promotional offer is a common way to reset your rate, though the service has begun closing this loophole.
  • Bundling Paramount Plus with other services (like through a cable provider or with Disney Plus and Hulu) sometimes costs less than the standalone subscription.

How Paramount Plus price increases have stacked up since 2020

When Paramount Plus launched in March 2020, the ad-free tier cost $9.99 per month. By October 2022, it had risen to $11.99. The ad-supported tier, introduced in June 2022 at $4.99, moved to $5.99 in 2023 and then to $7.99 in 2024. These are not small bumps — the ad-free plan has increased 40 percent in four years, and the ad-supported plan has risen 60 percent in two years.

The timing matters because it shows a deliberate schedule. Paramount Plus does not raise prices randomly or in response to a single cost spike. Instead, the company appears to test how much subscribers will tolerate, wait roughly two years, and then raise again. This is the standard playbook across streaming: Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max have all followed similar patterns.

Why streaming services raise prices regularly

Paramount Plus is owned by Paramount Global, which also owns CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and other cable networks. The streaming service competes directly with Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max for the same viewers and the same content budgets. To stay competitive, Paramount Plus must spend billions on original shows, movies, sports (including NFL games and college football), and licensing deals for older content.

When a service first launches, it typically operates at a loss — spending more on content than it collects in subscription revenue. Price increases are how streaming platforms move toward breaking even and eventually turning a profit. As long as subscriber numbers remain stable or grow after a price hike, the company has no reason to stop raising prices. The increases slow only when subscriber growth stalls or when customers begin canceling in large numbers.

Current pricing tiers and what they include

Paramount Plus offers two main subscription tiers. The ad-supported plan costs $7.99 per month and includes all shows and movies, but with advertisements during playback. The ad-free plan costs $13.99 per month and removes ads from most content (though some live sports and events may still include ads). Both tiers include access to the same library of shows, movies, and live sports.

Annual subscriptions are also available: the ad-supported plan is $79.99 per year (equivalent to $6.67 per month if paid upfront), and the ad-free plan is $139.99 per year (equivalent to $11.67 per month). Paying annually saves money compared to paying month-to-month, but the annual price increases when the monthly rate does, so the savings shrink over time.

Ways to reduce what you pay for Paramount Plus

The most direct way to save is to pay annually instead of monthly. An annual subscription to the ad-supported tier costs $79.99 instead of $95.88 if you paid monthly ($7.99 × 12), saving you about $16 per year. For the ad-free tier, annual payment is $139.99 instead of $167.88 monthly, saving roughly $28 per year. These are modest savings, but they add up if you plan to stay subscribed for years.

Bundling is another option. Paramount Plus is included in some cable and satellite packages, and it is also bundled with Disney Plus and Hulu through Disney's streaming bundle. The Disney bundle costs $14.99 per month for all three services with ads, or $24.99 per month for all three ad-free. If you want both Paramount Plus and Disney Plus, the bundle is cheaper than subscribing to each separately. Some cell phone plans (like T-Mobile and Verizon) also include free or discounted Paramount Plus subscriptions, so check whether your carrier offers this benefit.

A third approach is to cancel and resubscribe during promotional periods. Paramount Plus occasionally offers discounts to new or returning subscribers — sometimes $2.99 per month for the first few months, or similar deals. However, the service has tightened this loophole in recent years by requiring longer gaps between cancellation and resubscription, or by flagging accounts that cancel and return frequently. This method is less reliable than it once was.

What to expect from future price increases

Based on the pattern of the past four years, another price increase is likely sometime in 2025 or 2026. Streaming services do not announce price hikes far in advance — they typically notify subscribers via email a month or two before the change takes effect. If you want to avoid a price increase, you would need to cancel before the new rate applies, though you would lose access to the service when ready.

The size of future increases is harder to predict. Paramount Plus has raised prices by $1 to $2 per tier in recent years, so a similar bump would be typical. However, if the company faces pressure to compete with cheaper services or to attract more subscribers, it might hold prices steady for a longer period. Conversely, if content costs rise sharply or if subscriber growth slows, increases could be larger.

Comparing Paramount Plus to other streaming services at similar price points

At $7.99 per month with ads, Paramount Plus is in the same range as Disney Plus with ads ($7.99), Hulu with ads ($7.99), and Netflix with ads ($6.99). At $13.99 per month without ads, Paramount Plus is slightly cheaper than Netflix ad-free ($15.49 for the standard plan) but more expensive than Disney Plus ad-free ($10.99). HBO Max with ads is $9.99 per month, and HBO Max ad-free is $19.99 per month.

The choice between services depends on what you watch. Paramount Plus is strongest for CBS shows, movies from the Paramount film studio, live sports (NFL, college football, college basketball), and reality TV from MTV and other networks. If you primarily watch those categories, Paramount Plus may be worth the cost. If you watch mostly Netflix originals or Disney content, a different service might offer better value for your viewing habits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Paramount Plus prices go up again soon?

Based on the pattern of the past four years, another increase is likely in 2025 or 2026. Paramount Plus has raised prices roughly every 18 to 24 months. The company typically notifies subscribers one to two months before the increase takes effect.

Can I lock in my current price permanently?

No. When Paramount Plus raises prices, the increase applies to all subscribers eventually, whether they pay monthly or annually. Paying annually saves money compared to monthly billing, but the annual price also increases when the monthly rate does.

Is the ad-supported plan worth the $2 savings per month?

That depends on your tolerance for ads. The ad-supported tier includes the same shows and movies as the ad-free plan, but with commercials during playback. If you watch Paramount Plus for several hours per week, ads add up quickly. If you watch occasionally, the $2 monthly savings may be worth the interruption.

Does Paramount Plus offer any discounts for long-term subscribers?

Not officially. Paramount Plus does not reward loyalty with discounts or grandfathered rates. However, the service occasionally offers promotional rates to new or returning subscribers, and bundling with other services (like through Disney or a cell phone plan) can reduce your total cost.

What happens to my subscription if I don't pay the new price?

Your subscription will be canceled if you do not pay the new rate by the important date stated in the notification email. You can cancel before the increase takes effect to avoid the charge, though you will lose access to the service when ready.