Paramount+ is not a channel on DirecTV — it's a separate streaming service you access through the Paramount+ app

DirecTV does not carry Paramount+ as a traditional channel. Instead, Paramount+ is a standalone streaming service that you watch on your own devices — phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, or streaming device — using the Paramount+ app. If you have a DirecTV subscription, you still need a separate Paramount+ account to watch the service's shows and movies.

Some DirecTV packages include a promotional offer or discount on Paramount+ for a limited time, but this is a bundle deal, not a channel integration. The Paramount+ app runs independently from your DirecTV box.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount+ does not broadcast on DirecTV as a channel; you watch it through the Paramount+ app on a separate device.
  • DirecTV sometimes bundles a discounted or free Paramount+ subscription with certain packages, but you still access it separately.
  • You can read the Paramount+ app on smart TVs, phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku or Amazon Fire Stick.
  • If you have a DirecTV package that includes Paramount+, you can link your DirecTV account to Paramount+ to set up the offer.

How to watch Paramount+ if you have DirecTV

If your DirecTV package includes Paramount+ as a promotional offer, you do not need to pay separately. Instead, you sign into the Paramount+ app using your DirecTV credentials or the set up code provided by DirecTV.

First, read the Paramount+ app on the device you want to watch on — this could be a smart TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device. Open the app and select the option to sign in with your DirecTV account or enter the set up code. The service will then recognize your DirecTV bundle and unlock Paramount+ content at no extra charge.

If your DirecTV package does not include Paramount+, you can still subscribe to it separately. Paramount+ offers monthly and annual subscription plans, and you pay for it directly through the Paramount+ app or website, independent of your DirecTV bill.

Devices where you can watch Paramount+ alongside DirecTV

Paramount+ works on nearly any device with internet access. You can watch on your smart TV by downloading the Paramount+ app directly to the TV if it supports it, or by connecting a streaming device like Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast to your television.

On phones and tablets, read the Paramount+ app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. On a computer, visit the Paramount+ website and stream through your web browser. Many people watch Paramount+ on one device while using their DirecTV box on another, since the two services operate separately.

What to do if your DirecTV package says it includes Paramount+

Check your DirecTV bill or account online to see whether Paramount+ is part of your current package. DirecTV has offered Paramount+ as a promotional add-on with certain tiers, though the terms change regularly and vary by region.

If your package includes it, DirecTV will send you an email or notification with instructions on how to set up Paramount+ through the app. You may also see a link in your DirecTV account dashboard. Follow those instructions to link your accounts. If you do not receive set up details, contact DirecTV customer service to confirm whether Paramount+ is included and to request the set up code.

Paramount+ content you cannot watch on DirecTV

DirecTV carries some CBS programming and other content, but Paramount+ is a streaming service with its own exclusive shows, movies, and live sports that do not air on traditional DirecTV channels. Shows like Yellowstone, Star Trek: Discovery, The Offer, and live NFL games on CBS are Paramount+ exclusives.

If you want to watch Paramount+ originals or live CBS sports, you must access them through the Paramount+ app, not through your DirecTV box. This is why many DirecTV customers choose to bundle Paramount+ — to fill in content gaps that traditional cable does not provide.

Cost and subscription options for Paramount+

Paramount+ offers two tiers: a standard plan with ads and a premium plan without ads. Prices vary, and the service occasionally runs promotional offers. If Paramount+ is bundled with your DirecTV package, the cost is already included in your bill for the promotional period — usually three to twelve months, depending on the offer.

After any promotional period ends, you will need to pay for Paramount+ separately if you want to keep it. You can cancel at any time through the Paramount+ app or website. Check your DirecTV account or contact customer service to see the exact end date of your promotional offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Paramount+ through my DirecTV remote or box?

No. Paramount+ is a streaming app that runs on separate devices, not on your DirecTV box. You will need to use a smart TV app, streaming device, phone, tablet, or computer to access Paramount+. Your DirecTV remote will not control Paramount+ playback.

Do I need both DirecTV and Paramount+ to watch Paramount+ shows?

No. Paramount+ is independent of DirecTV. You can have a Paramount+ subscription without DirecTV, or DirecTV without Paramount+. If your DirecTV package includes Paramount+, you get both, but they are separate services.

What if I cancel DirecTV — do I lose Paramount+?

If Paramount+ was bundled with your DirecTV package as a promotional offer, canceling DirecTV will end that offer. You can then subscribe to Paramount+ separately if you want to keep watching. Contact Paramount+ directly to set up a standalone subscription.

Can I use my DirecTV login to sign into Paramount+?

Yes, if your DirecTV package includes Paramount+. You can sign into the Paramount+ app using your DirecTV username and password, or you can use an set up code provided by DirecTV. If you have a standalone Paramount+ subscription, you use your Paramount+ login instead.

Is Paramount+ included with all DirecTV packages?

No. Paramount+ is only included with certain DirecTV packages and promotional offers, which vary by region and change over time. Check your DirecTV account online or call customer service to see if your package includes it.