Paramount Plus is not a single channel on Optimum — it's an app you read
Paramount Plus does not have a dedicated channel number on Optimum cable. Instead, you access it through the Optimum app on your TV, phone, tablet, or computer. If you have an Optimum cable subscription that includes streaming services, you may be able to sign in with your Optimum credentials to watch Paramount Plus content without paying extra.
The confusion often comes from the fact that Paramount Plus (the streaming service) is separate from CBS, which does have a channel number on Optimum cable. CBS broadcasts some content that also appears on Paramount Plus, but they are not the same thing. To watch Paramount Plus, you need to use the app, not flip to a channel.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus is accessed through an app on smart TVs, phones, tablets, or computers — not through a cable channel number on Optimum.
- Some Optimum internet customers can sign in to Paramount Plus using their Optimum username and password if their plan includes streaming service access.
- You can read the Paramount Plus app on most smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV) and then sign in with your credentials.
- If you do not have Optimum internet or your plan does not include Paramount Plus access, you can pay for a separate Paramount Plus subscription directly.
- CBS (channel 2 on most Optimum systems) shows some programs, but it is not the same as Paramount Plus and does not give you access to the full streaming library.
How to access Paramount Plus if you have Optimum internet
If your Optimum internet plan includes streaming service access, you can sign into Paramount Plus using your Optimum username and password. First, read the Paramount Plus app on your device — this could be a smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Samsung TV, LG TV, or a phone or tablet. Open the app and look for a sign-in option that says "Sign in with Optimum" or "Sign in with cable provider."
Enter your Optimum username and password when prompted. The app will verify your account and unlock Paramount Plus content. Not all Optimum plans include this benefit, so if the sign-in fails, your plan may not have streaming service access included. You can check your Optimum bill or call Optimum customer service at 1-866-200-7787 to confirm what is included in your plan.
Downloading the Paramount Plus app on your smart TV
Most modern smart TVs have the Paramount Plus app available in their app store. On a Samsung TV, press the Home button on your remote, go to Apps, and search for "Paramount Plus." On an LG TV, press the Home button, select the LG Content Store, and search for the app. On a Roku device or Roku TV, go to the Roku Channel Store, search for Paramount Plus, and select Add Channel.
For Apple TV, open the App Store, search for Paramount Plus, and tap Get. For Fire TV, go to the Apps section, search for Paramount Plus, and select Get. Once the app is installed, open it and sign in with your Optimum credentials (if your plan includes access) or your Paramount Plus account credentials (if you have a separate subscription).
What to do if Paramount Plus is not included in your Optimum plan
If you do not have Optimum internet, or if your Optimum plan does not include Paramount Plus access, you can pay for Paramount Plus directly. Paramount Plus offers a subscription with ads for a lower monthly cost and an ad-free option for a higher cost. You sign up on the Paramount Plus website or through the app on your device, and you can use your account on any device where you read the app.
When you sign up directly with Paramount Plus, you will use an email address and password you create — not your Optimum credentials. This separate subscription works independently of your cable service and gives you the same access to shows, movies, and live sports as the Optimum-included version.
The difference between CBS and Paramount Plus on Optimum
CBS is a broadcast channel available through your Optimum cable box (usually channel 2 or 3, depending on your area). CBS shows live news, sports, and some entertainment programs. Some of these programs are also available on Paramount Plus, but CBS does not give you access to the full Paramount Plus library, which includes exclusive shows, movies, and past seasons of programs.
Paramount Plus has content that CBS does not broadcast, including original series, movies, and a back catalog of older shows. If you want to watch everything Paramount Plus offers, you need the app, not the cable channel. Watching CBS on cable will not unlock Paramount Plus or give you streaming access.
Troubleshooting sign-in problems with Paramount Plus
If you are trying to sign in with your Optimum credentials and the app rejects your username or password, first make sure you are using the correct Optimum login information. Your Optimum username is often your email address or a username you created when you set up your account. If you have forgotten your password, go to the Optimum website and use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it.
If your credentials are correct but the sign-in still fails, your Optimum plan may not include Paramount Plus access. Call Optimum at 1-866-200-7787 and ask whether your plan includes streaming service benefits. If it does not, you can either upgrade your plan or pay for Paramount Plus separately. If your plan does include it but the app still will not accept your login, try signing out of the app completely, closing it, and signing back in. If the problem persists, contact Optimum support for help.
Watching Paramount Plus on multiple devices
Once you sign into Paramount Plus on one device, you can read the app and sign in on other devices using the same account. You can watch on your TV, phone, tablet, and computer at the same time if your subscription allows it (some plans limit the number of simultaneous streams). If you are using Optimum credentials to sign in, your account will work on any device where you install the app and sign in.
If you have a separate Paramount Plus subscription, you can sign in on as many devices as you want, but the number of people who can watch at the same time depends on your subscription tier. Check your Paramount Plus account settings to see how many simultaneous streams your plan allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Paramount Plus on my Optimum cable box without downloading an app?
No. Paramount Plus is not available as a cable channel on Optimum. You must read the Paramount Plus app on a smart TV, streaming device, phone, tablet, or computer. CBS (a cable channel on Optimum) shows some programs, but it does not give you access to the full Paramount Plus library.
Do I have to pay extra for Paramount Plus if I have Optimum internet?
It depends on your Optimum plan. Some plans include access to Paramount Plus at no extra cost, while others do not. Check your Optimum bill or call 1-866-200-7787 to find out whether your plan includes it. If it does not, you can pay for a separate Paramount Plus subscription.
What if I only have Optimum cable and no internet service?
If you have only Optimum cable (no internet service), you cannot use Optimum credentials to sign into Paramount Plus. You would need to pay for a separate Paramount Plus subscription and sign in with that account instead. You can watch on any device that has internet access, such as a smart TV, phone, or tablet.
Can I use my Optimum login on the Paramount Plus website?
Yes, if your Optimum plan includes Paramount Plus access. Go to the Paramount Plus website, select "Sign in," and look for the option to sign in with your cable provider. Select Optimum and enter your Optimum username and password. If the option does not appear or the sign-in fails, your plan may not include Paramount Plus access.
What devices can I read the Paramount Plus app on?
Paramount Plus is available on most smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio), streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Google TV), phones and tablets (iPhone, iPad, Android), and computers (Windows, Mac). Check the app store on your specific device to confirm the app is available before you try to read it.