Paramount+ is increasing its prices in January. Heres how much it will cost.
In a significant shift for its subscriber base, Paramount+ has announced a price increase for both its ad-supported and ad-free plans, set to take effect on January 15, 2026. This decision was revealed during the Q3 2025 earnings report by the newly merged Paramount Skydance, coinciding with the company’s announcement of substantial layoffs impacting 1,600 employees in South America, in addition to 1,000 layoffs that occurred earlier in October. The decision to raise prices aligns with a broader trend in the streaming industry, where major players like Disney+ and HBO Max have also implemented price hikes to adjust to changing market conditions and operational costs.
As for the specifics of the price increase, the ad-supported tier, known as Paramount+ Essential, will see its monthly subscription rise from $7.99 to $8.99, while the annual subscription will increase from $59.99 to $89.99. This change means that subscribers opting for the annual plan will save $17.89 per year, a notable decrease from the previous savings of $35.89. Meanwhile, the ad-free option, Paramount+ Premium, will also see a $1 increase, bringing the monthly fee from $12.99 to $13.99, while the annual plan will jump from $119.99 to $139.99. Under the new pricing structure, annual subscribers will save $27.89, down from the previous savings of $35.89. Additionally, the company will be discontinuing free trials for new users, further emphasizing its shift towards a more premium pricing strategy.
These changes come at a time when streaming services are navigating a competitive landscape, with increasing pressure to maintain profitability amid rising content production costs. As Paramount+ joins other platforms in raising prices, subscribers will need to weigh the value of the service against their entertainment budgets. This move could potentially lead to subscriber churn, as viewers reassess their streaming subscriptions in light of these new costs. As the streaming wars continue to evolve, Paramount+ is clearly positioning itself for the future, though the impact on its subscriber base remains to be seen.
Paramount+
subscribers will be ringing in 2026 with a price increase.
During its
Q3 2025 earnings report
on Monday, the newly merged Paramount Skydance announced that it would be raising prices on both Paramount+’s ad-supported and ad-free plans, effective Jan. 15, 2026. The company will also be terminating free trials for any new users.
SEE ALSO:
How much does Paramount+ cost per month?
The news comes as Paramount CEO David Ellison revealed plans to
cut 1,600 employees in South America
, in addition to the
1,000 employees already impacted by layoffs in October
. It is just the latest in a series of price hikes from major streaming services, including
Disney+
and
HBO Max
.
How much will Paramount+ cost after the price hikes?
Paramount+ currently offers two plans: one with ads and one without. The ad-supported tier, called Paramount+ Essential, currently costs $7.99 per month, or $59.99 per year. On Jan. 15, the monthly cost will go up $1 to become $8.99 per month, while the annual subscription will cost $89.99 per year.
With the annual subscription, Paramount+ subscribers will save $17.89 per year. That’s less than half of the savings under the old plan, which came out to $35.89.
Paramount+’s ad-free tier, Paramount+ Premium, will also increase by $1, going from $12.99 per month to $13.99 per month. Come Jan. 15, the annual plan will cost $139.99, as opposed to $119.99. Subscribers who choose the new annual plan will ultimately save $27.89 per year, as opposed to the $35.89 savings under the old plan.
