Paramount+ is about cost more, but you can still save on a subscription — heres how
Paramount+ is following the trend of streaming giants by announcing a price increase for its subscription plans, effective January 15, 2026. This marks the second hike in just two years, with the monthly rates for the ad-supported Essential plan rising from $7.99 to $8.99, and the ad-free Premium plan going from $12.99 to $13.99. Annual subscriptions will also see significant increases, with the Essential plan jumping from $59.99 to $89.99 and the Premium plan from $119.99 to $139.99. The decision comes in the wake of the newly merged Paramount Skydance’s strategic focus on enhancing content offerings, backed by a hefty investment of over $1.5 billion. This funding will support the acquisition of UFC broadcasting rights, the development of new original shows, and a commitment to produce 15 films annually, promising subscribers a richer viewing experience.
In addition to the price increase, Paramount+ is discontinuing its free trial offers across all subscription tiers, which has raised concerns among potential new users. However, there are still opportunities to save before the new prices take effect. For those looking to sign up, it’s advisable to consider annual plans now, as they offer substantial savings compared to monthly subscriptions. For instance, signing up for the Essential annual plan now can save you $30, while the Premium plan offers a $20 discount if purchased before the price hike. Paramount+ is also known for its competitive streaming deals, particularly around Black Friday, which could provide additional savings opportunities. With the clock ticking down to the price increase, prospective subscribers are encouraged to act swiftly to secure the best rates before January 2026.
It was only a matter of time until Paramount+ joined the price hike party. Following the lead of its peers —
Netflix
,
Peacock
,
HBO Max
,
Apple TV+
,
YouTube TV
,
Disney+
, and
Hulu
— Paramount+ is set to
raise its monthly and annual subscription costs
starting in January 2026. To make matters worse, the
newly merged
Paramount Skydance announced that it will also be ditching
free trials
.
This is the second
price increase
in as many years for
Paramount+
. In August 2024, the prices jumped from just $5.99 to $7.99 for the ad-supported tier and $11.99 to $12.99 for the ad-free tier. This time around, it’s bumping up the cost by another dollar for monthly plans; Paramount+ Essential will cost $8.99 per month, and Paramount+ Premium will cost $13.99 per month. Annual plans are also increasing because of course they are. Paramount+ Essential will go from just $59.99 per year to $89.99 per year, while Paramount+ Premium will jump from $119.99 to $139.99 per year.
Credit: Mashable
When do the new prices go into effect?
It’s not all bad news. The new Paramount+ pricing doesn’t go into effect until
Jan. 15, 2026
. That means you have plenty of time to lock in a deal (more on that below). The company
announced
its “ongoing investments in Paramount+ are enhancing the value we deliver to consumers. To support this continued investment, we plan to implement price increases in the U.S. early in the first quarter of 2026,” in its
reporting of Q3 2025
results. Those programming investments of over $1.5 billion include the rights to show UFC matches throughout the year, new Paramount+ originals and third-party catalog licensing, and a ramp-up of its film slate to 15 movies per year. So, at least your money will be going toward some new content.
How to save on a Paramount+ subscription
Along with the price hikes, Paramount also announced that it’s “retiring” its free trials across all tiers and “reviewing discount practices.” We’re hoping that the review doesn’t take place until the new year, as Paramount+ tends to offer a solid
Black Friday streaming deal
. Not to mention, the streamer puts out some of the
best streaming discounts
throughout the year — as much as 50% off annual plans.
The best option for most people on any given day will be
signing up for an annual plan
before the price increase. You’ll save $30 on the Essential plan by signing up ahead of the hike and $20 on the Premium plan — and that’s on top of the savings you’ll already get from paying annually versus monthly.
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Credit: Paramount+
Paramount+ annual plans
$59.99 or $119.99 per year (save $35.89)
Get Deal
If you’re looking to sign up for Paramount+ before the price hike takes effect, we’ve rounded up the best ways to save on a subscription (as of Nov. 12). If you’d rather roll the dice and wait until
Black Friday
, most of these deals will be ongoing until Jan. 15, 2026.
The best Paramount+ deals at a glance:
Best for most people
Paramount+ Essential annual plan
$59.99 per year
(save $35.89)
Get Deal
Best without ads
Paramount+ Premium annual plan
$119.99 per year
(save $35.89)
Get Deal
Best for students
Paramount+ Premium annual plan
$59.99 for one year with SheerID verification
(save $60)
Get Deal
Get Paramount+ for free
Walmart+ annual plan
$49 per year through Dec. 2
(save $49)
Get Deal
Best for military personnel
Paramount+ Premium annual plan
$59.99 per year with SheerID verification
(save $60)
Get Deal
