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In the United States, Paramount+ offers two monthly plans: Essential for $8.99 and Premium for $13.99. Both include on-demand shows and movies plus selected sports. Choose Essential if ads are acceptable and you do not need its Premium-only features; choose Premium if you want a live local CBS station where available, downloads, the full SHOWTIME offering on Paramount+, or mostly ad-free on-demand viewing.
What a Paramount+ subscription includes
Both plans provide access to Paramount+’s on-demand library, which spans originals and programming from brands including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and VH1. Paramount+ advertises a catalog of 40,000+ episodes and movies; that is the service’s own figure, not an independently audited count, and titles can change. Paramount+ plan page
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Paramount+ eGift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Paramount+ $25 eGift Card - Standard | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Paramount+ eGift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Netflix Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Visa Physical Gift Card $100 (plus $5.95 Purchase Fee) | $105.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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The service also carries selected sports, including NFL on CBS, UFC and UEFA Champions League. Rights, schedules and local availability determine which events you can stream; a sport’s presence in the lineup does not guarantee every game or event. Paramount+ programming information
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| Feature | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| US monthly price listed by Paramount+, checked October 4, 2026 | $8.99/month | $13.99/month |
| On-demand library | Included | Included |
| Ads | Ad-supported | Mostly ad-free on demand; live TV has ads, and trailers or sponsorship may still appear |
| CBS episodes after broadcast | Generally available on demand the day after broadcast | Generally available on demand the day after broadcast |
| Local CBS station live | Generally not included; eligible local NFL on CBS is a stated exception when available | Included where available |
| SHOWTIME | Select titles and series | All SHOWTIME shows and movies available on Paramount+ |
| Downloads | Not listed as a plan benefit | Included, subject to restrictions and title/device availability |
| Simultaneous streams | Up to three, per Paramount+’s current service page | Up to three, per Paramount+’s current service page |
Sources: Paramount+ plan page, Paramount+ CBS viewing guide, and Paramount+ service page. Prices and availability can change, so check the signup total before subscribing.
#1 Best Overall
- Watch over 40,000 full episodes on demand from hit series like Survivor, NCIS, Big Brother and more
- Get hooked on subscriber-only originals
- Make every night a movie night with blockbuster hits and fan-favorite films
- To Redeem: Go to paramountplus.com/redeem
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
At the listed monthly rates, Premium costs $5 more per month, or $60 more across twelve months. That arithmetic does not establish the cost of an annual subscription: billing options and signup offers can have different totals.
Which plan should you choose?
Choose Essential for lower-cost on-demand viewing
Essential suits viewers who mainly watch shows and movies on demand, can tolerate ads, and do not need Premium downloads or a live local CBS feed. Current CBS episodes are generally available on demand the day after broadcast, though timing can vary by program. Paramount+ CBS viewing guide
Rank #2
- Watch over 40,000 full episodes on demand from hit series like Survivor, NCIS, Big Brother and more
- Get hooked on subscriber-only originals
- Make every night a movie night with blockbuster hits and fan-favorite films
- To Redeem: Go to paramountplus.com/redeem
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Choose Premium for its specific extras
Premium is the upgrade to consider if you want to watch your local CBS station live where available, download eligible titles for offline viewing, access the full SHOWTIME selection available on Paramount+, or avoid most ads during on-demand viewing. “Mostly ad-free” does not mean ad-free everywhere: live television has ads, and trailers or sponsorship may remain. Paramount+ plan page
Check sports availability before deciding
Start with the event you want to watch and confirm that it is available in your market. Essential can carry eligible local NFL on CBS games when available; that exception is not the same as access to the full local CBS station. Premium adds the local station where available, but sports rights and schedules still apply. Paramount+ CBS viewing guide
Rank #3
- Watch over 40,000 full episodes on demand from hit series like Survivor, NCIS, Big Brother and more
- Get hooked on subscriber-only originals
- Make every night a movie night with blockbuster hits and fan-favorite films
- To Redeem: Go to paramountplus.com/redeem
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
CBS on Paramount+: live station versus on-demand episodes
Essential generally provides new episodes of current CBS shows on demand the day after broadcast, rather than a live local CBS feed. Premium includes the local CBS station where available, so subscribers can watch its programming as it airs. The exact local-feed availability and episode timing can vary; the plan page and CBS guide are the places to verify before signup. Paramount+ CBS viewing guide
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Availability and signup caveats
- This comparison covers the United States. Paramount+ says content and access vary by country.
- Local CBS access depends on availability, and live sports vary by market, rights and schedule.
- Premium downloads are subject to restrictions, including title and device availability.
- Prices and offers may differ by billing choice or signup channel; confirm the current checkout terms.
For current details, review the plan page and CBS viewing guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Rank #4
- Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
- Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
- No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
- Codes are applied to your account as a gift balance. Gift codes can be added to any plan, regardless of the amount.
- Redemption: Online
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
