Paramount Plus is not a single channel on Dish — it's an app you read

Paramount Plus does not appear as a numbered channel on Dish TV. Instead, you read the Paramount Plus app directly onto your Dish receiver or smart TV, then open it like you would any other streaming service. This means you access it through your receiver's app menu, not by flipping through channel numbers.

If you have a newer Dish receiver (Hopper 3 or Hopper X), the Paramount Plus app is already built in and ready to use. Older receivers may not support the app at all, which is the most common reason people cannot find it. Knowing which receiver you have will tell you whether Paramount Plus is even an option for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus is accessed through an app on your Dish receiver, not as a numbered TV channel.
  • Hopper 3 and Hopper X receivers have Paramount Plus built in; older models like Hopper 2 do not support it.
  • You can also watch Paramount Plus on any smart TV, phone, tablet, or computer by downloading the app separately.
  • A Paramount Plus subscription is separate from your Dish TV bill and costs extra each month.

How to access Paramount Plus on Hopper 3 or Hopper X

Press the Home button on your Dish remote to open the main menu. Look for an Apps or Streaming Apps section — the exact name depends on your receiver model and software version. Paramount Plus should appear in that list.

Select Paramount Plus and press Select. The app will open. If you have never signed in before, you will see a login screen. Enter your Paramount Plus account email and password. If you do not have a Paramount Plus account yet, you can create one through the app or on the Paramount Plus website before you try to sign in on your Dish box.

Once you are signed in, you can browse and play shows and movies directly from your Dish receiver. The app works the same way it does on any other device — use your remote to navigate, select what you want to watch, and press play.

What to do if you have an older Dish receiver

Hopper 2, Hopper 2000, and older models do not have the Paramount Plus app built in. Dish has not added the app to these receivers, and there is no way to sideload it or add it later. If your receiver is older, you cannot watch Paramount Plus through your Dish box.

Your options are to watch Paramount Plus on a different device instead. You can read the app on a smart TV, phone, tablet, or computer. You can also connect a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast to your TV and read Paramount Plus on that device. Any of these routes will work as long as you have a Paramount Plus subscription and an internet connection.

If you want to watch Paramount Plus on your Dish receiver specifically, you would need to upgrade to a Hopper 3 or Hopper X. Contact Dish directly to ask about upgrade options and any costs involved.

How to find your Dish receiver model

Press the Home button on your remote and look for a Settings, System Setup, or Tools menu. Select it and look for System Information or About. Your receiver model will be listed there — it will say something like "Hopper 3", "Hopper X", "Hopper 2", or "Joey".

You can also check your Dish bill or account online. Log into your Dish account at dish.com, go to your account settings, and look for equipment information. The model number will be there.

Paramount Plus subscription and costs

Paramount Plus is not included with Dish TV. You need a separate subscription, which you pay directly to Paramount, not to Dish. Paramount Plus offers different subscription tiers — a basic plan with ads and a higher-priced plan without ads. Prices change periodically, so check the Paramount Plus website for current rates.

Your Dish TV bill and your Paramount Plus bill are separate. Cancelling one does not affect the other. If you want to stop paying for Paramount Plus, you cancel it through the Paramount Plus app or website, not through Dish.

Troubleshooting if Paramount Plus won't open

Make sure your Dish receiver is connected to the internet. Paramount Plus requires an active internet connection to work. Check that your home Wi-Fi or ethernet cable is plugged in and working. You can test this by trying to open another app or by checking your internet speed on another device.

If the app opens but will not let you sign in, make sure you are using the correct email and password for your Paramount Plus account. If you have forgotten your password, go to the Paramount Plus website on a computer or phone, click "Forgot Password", and reset it. Then try signing in on your Dish receiver again.

If the app crashes or freezes, try restarting your receiver. Unplug the power cable from the back of the box, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Let the receiver boot up completely (this takes a few minutes), then try opening Paramount Plus again.

Watching Paramount Plus on other devices

If your Dish receiver does not support Paramount Plus or you prefer to watch on a different screen, you can read the app on almost any device. Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, and others have Paramount Plus built in or available in their app store. Streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, and Google Chromecast all support Paramount Plus.

You can also watch on your phone, tablet, or computer. read the Paramount Plus app from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Microsoft Store, or go to paramountplus.com in a web browser. Sign in with the same account you use on your Dish receiver, and your watchlist and viewing history will sync across devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Paramount Plus on my Dish receiver without a separate subscription?

No. Paramount Plus is a separate service from Dish TV and requires its own subscription. You pay Paramount directly, not through Dish. The app is built into newer Dish receivers, but the subscription is not included.

What if I have a Hopper 3 but Paramount Plus is not showing up in my apps?

The app may need to be updated or enabled. Restart your receiver by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If it still does not appear, check that your receiver is connected to the internet. You can also contact Dish support to confirm your receiver model and ask them to help you locate the app.

Can I use the same Paramount Plus account on my Dish receiver and my phone?

Yes. Sign in with the same email and password on both devices. Your account, watchlist, and viewing history will be the same across all devices you sign into.

Does Paramount Plus work without internet on my Dish receiver?

No. Paramount Plus is a streaming app and requires an active internet connection to load and play content. If your internet is down, you cannot watch Paramount Plus on any device.

If I upgrade to a Hopper 3, will Paramount Plus be ready to use right away?

The app will be on your new receiver, but you will need to sign in with your Paramount Plus account the first time you open it. Make sure you have your account email and password ready before you start.