Paramount Plus is not a separate channel on YouTube TV — it is a standalone streaming service you watch through its own app
YouTube TV does not carry Paramount Plus as a channel. Paramount Plus is owned by Paramount Global, and the company does not license it to YouTube TV the way it licenses CBS, MTV, or Comedy Central. If you want to watch Paramount Plus content, you need a Paramount Plus subscription and you watch it through the Paramount Plus app or website, not through YouTube TV.
This matters because it means you cannot flip to Paramount Plus while scrolling YouTube TV channels. You have to open the Paramount Plus app separately on your phone, tablet, computer, or compatible streaming device. The two services are completely separate, even though they are owned by the same parent company.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus is a separate subscription service and does not appear as a channel inside YouTube TV.
- You watch Paramount Plus through its own app on your phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, or streaming device like Roku or Fire Stick.
- YouTube TV includes CBS, which airs some Paramount Plus originals on a delayed schedule, but this is not the same as having Paramount Plus itself.
- If you want both YouTube TV and Paramount Plus, you pay for both subscriptions separately.
What YouTube TV does include from Paramount
YouTube TV carries the live CBS channel, which is owned by Paramount Global. CBS airs some shows that also appear on Paramount Plus, but usually on a delay. For example, a new episode of a CBS show might air on the network first, then move to Paramount Plus a few days or weeks later. This is not the same as having Paramount Plus itself.
YouTube TV also includes other Paramount-owned channels like MTV, Comedy Central, BET, and Nickelodeon, depending on your location and plan. But none of these are Paramount Plus. Paramount Plus is a separate streaming service with its own library of movies, shows, and originals that do not air on these channels.
How to watch Paramount Plus if you have YouTube TV
If you already pay for YouTube TV and want to add Paramount Plus, you need to sign up for Paramount Plus separately. You can do this through the Paramount Plus website or app. Paramount Plus offers a free tier with ads and a paid tier without ads. The paid tier costs money each month.
Once you have a Paramount Plus account, you can watch on any device that supports the app: iPhone, Android, iPad, Mac, Windows, Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, Samsung TV, LG TV, and others. You log in with your Paramount Plus account and start watching. Your YouTube TV subscription does not give you access to Paramount Plus, and your Paramount Plus subscription does not give you access to YouTube TV.
Why Paramount Plus is not on YouTube TV
Paramount Global owns both YouTube TV and Paramount Plus, but they are separate business units with different revenue models. YouTube TV is a live TV service that bundles channels. Paramount Plus is a streaming service that makes money from subscriptions and ads. Paramount does not want to bundle Paramount Plus into YouTube TV because that would reduce the number of people paying for Paramount Plus directly.
This is common in the streaming industry. Disney owns both Disney Plus and Hulu, but they are separate subscriptions. Warner Bros. Discovery owns both Max and HBO, but they are separate. Companies keep their streaming services separate to maximize subscription revenue.
Devices where you can watch Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus works on most devices. On phones and tablets, read the Paramount Plus app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. On computers, go to paramountplus.com and watch in your web browser. On smart TVs and streaming devices, search for the Paramount Plus app in your device's app store.
Compatible devices include Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Vizio Smart TV, and others. If you are not sure whether your device supports Paramount Plus, visit the Paramount Plus website and look for the list of compatible devices. The list is updated regularly as new devices are added.
Bundling Paramount Plus with other services
You cannot bundle Paramount Plus with YouTube TV, but Paramount does offer bundle options with other services. Paramount Plus is sometimes bundled with Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime Video Channels, or The Roku Channel. These bundles let you pay for Paramount Plus through another app instead of signing up directly with Paramount.
If you use one of these bundles, you still watch Paramount Plus through the Paramount Plus app — the bundle just handles the billing. The content and features are the same. Some people find bundles convenient because they consolidate subscriptions in one place, but the price is usually the same as paying Paramount Plus directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Paramount Plus through YouTube TV if I pay extra?
No. YouTube TV does not offer Paramount Plus as an add-on, even for an extra fee. You must subscribe to Paramount Plus separately through Paramount's own website or app.
Does YouTube TV include any Paramount Plus shows?
YouTube TV includes CBS, which airs some shows that also appear on Paramount Plus. But these are usually delayed by days or weeks, and you do not get the full Paramount Plus library. If you want to watch Paramount Plus originals or the full back catalog, you need Paramount Plus itself.
What if I only want to watch CBS shows — do I need Paramount Plus?
No. YouTube TV includes the CBS channel, so you can watch CBS shows live or on demand through YouTube TV. You only need Paramount Plus if you want shows and movies that are exclusive to Paramount Plus or if you want to watch CBS shows without waiting for them to air on the network.
Can I use my YouTube TV login to sign into Paramount Plus?
No. YouTube TV and Paramount Plus use separate login systems. You need a separate Paramount Plus account with its own email and password.
Is there a way to get Paramount Plus for free with YouTube TV?
No. YouTube TV does not include Paramount Plus, and there is no free tier of Paramount Plus included with any YouTube TV plan. Paramount Plus offers a free ad-supported tier on its own, but you must sign up for it separately.