Paramount+ Review (2022): A Budget-Friendly Streaming Service Worth a Look

paramount+ review

Paramount+ bills itself as “a mountain of entertainment” with its collection of on-demand TV shows and movies and access to live sports, but does it live up to the hype? Before you sign up, read our full Paramount+ review below.

Once upon a time, there was a service known as CBS All Access. As you might guess, this service provided access to most things on CBS for those that prefer streaming or don’t have cable.

These days, that service is known as Paramount+.

Despite being a smaller, niche streaming service, Paramount+ boasts over 30,000 hours of TV shows and movies, original content, and depending on the plan you choose you’ll receive access to CBS local live feeds which can open up the door to live sports, including NFL, college football, March Madness, UEFA Champions League, and more.

You get quite a bit of bang for your buck!

If you’re curious about all that Paramount+ has to offer, this Paramount+ review should fill you in on all the details.

Our review will answer the following questions: 

  • What is Paramount+?
  • What Does Paramount+ have for Sports Fans?
  • What Devices Work on Paramount+?
  • What Features Come with Paramount+?
  • How Does Paramount+ Work?
  • How Much are Paramount+ Packages?
  • Paramount+ Pros & Cons
  • FAQ
  • Is Paramount+ Worth It?

 Check out our Paramount+ review below or sign up for your 7-day trial, today!

 

What is Paramount+?

Formerly known as CBS All Access, Paramount+ is a streaming service that offers access to a variety of live and/or on-demand features, including over 30,000 hours of TV shows and movies, original series, and even live sports, depending on the plan you choose.

They offer two basic plans that vary slightly, which can be purchased in monthly or annual packages.

You can stream content on most internet streaming devices including your smartphone or tablet. Paramount+ includes a variety of features such as watch lists, multiple user profiles for each account, and simultaneous streaming.

Packages start at just $5 per month with the Essentials plan, but if you want live sports, you’ll need to upgrade to the Premium plan offering.

Paramount+ offers a generous 7-day free trial before any paid subscription begins.

 

What Does Paramount+ Offer for Sports Fans?

paramount+ sports

Paramount+ isn’t necessarily a sports-centered streaming service, but they are a service that offers sports coverage.

If you have the Premium plan, you’ll have access to a CBS live stream for your local area. This means that all of the sports that you watch on CBS will be available to you on Paramount+.

It’s worth noting that the games that will air will be the ones that would normally air in your in-market area.

Also, even though the Premium package comes without ads, commercials are included in live broadcasts because it’s the same content you’d get watching through cable or antenna.

Here are some of the sporting events you can expect to find with a Paramount+ subscription:

  • NFL (Sunday afternoon games and playoffs)
  • March Madness
  • Combat Global MMA
  • The Masters
  • NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships (March Madness)
  • The PGA Tour & PGA Championship
  • SEC college football
  • UEFA Champions League

As you can see, you’ll find a mix of MMA, golf, college football, and college basketball.

If you’re interested in NFL games on CBS, you’ll get those, too. In fact, no matter what plan you choose you’ll have access to NFL on CBS. The only difference is that after the game ends, if you have the Essential plan, live coverage will cease once the game is over.

 

What Devices is Paramount+ Available On?

paramount+ devices

Paramount+ works to be as accessible as it can on as many devices as it can to ensure that as many people as possible can use the service. With that in mind, you probably already own a device or two that you can use to watch Paramount+ content. Some of the available devices include:

  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Android TV
  • Apple TV
  • Chromecast
  • Mobile Devices (Smartphones/Tablets)
  • Roku

Like most streaming services, you will be able to simultaneously stream on three devices at one time.

 

What Other Features Does Paramount+ Offer?

Like all services, Paramount+ comes with some bells and whistles to entice potential subscribers into checking out the service. For most people, the content and access to live sports might be enough, but if you need something more, here are some added features:

Full Series On-Demand Content

If you have a few days off and want to watch all 13 seasons of NCIS: Los Angeles, Paramount+ has you covered. Most currently airing shows offer their full library for you to enjoy. You’ll also have access to loads of classic titles including everything from Star Trek to Rugrats. On the movie front, you’ll find titles ranging from The Godfather Trilogy to the newer Top Gun: Maverick. There is more than 30,000 hours of on-demand content with more added daily!

Stream on 3 Devices at Once

Being able to stream on more than one device is helpful whether you’re streaming from different locations or sitting in the same home but want to watch different shows. With Paramount+, you’ll be able to stream on three devices at once, so no one will have to fight about using the service.

On-Demand Content is Available at 1080p HD

Live TV quality often sits around 720p, which is still decent for live TV in the streaming world, but the on-demand quality is a crisp, lovely to watch 1080p. Paramount+ offers hours and hours of content to enjoy in the on-demand library and you can bet that all of it looks clear and absolutely beautiful.

 

How Does Paramount+ Work?

Paramount+ is a great service for people that find streaming services confusing. On the main screen everything is laid out in a neat order, designed to help you find the content you want.

If you’re interested in browsing a specific network, Paramount+ offers all of their brands in 6 tabs. You just click CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, or Smithsonian Channel, and you can see what’s available and make your selection.

Beyond these hubs you can check out things like Latest Full Episodes, Trending Shows, Sports, Recently Added Shows, and On Now. You can also use the basic search options and choose between TV shows and movies from any of the available networks.

Once you’ve signed up for your membership, you’ll be able to sign in on your device, make your selection, and watch it with ease. Paramount+ allows you to stream on three devices at one time.

Signing Up for Paramount+

Paramount+ allows you to sign up through their service directly or through services like Amazon Prime Channels or through various streaming devices.

If you sign up through Paramount+, you’ll make a basic account and fill in your payment information for your chosen plan.

Once you hit submit, your 7-day trial will begin!

After the trial you’ll be charged for your package. Keep in mind that with Paramount+ you can cancel at any time.

So, if you sign up for the trial and you’re not sure this is the service for you, just cancel before the trial ends and you won’t be charged. You’ll be able to enjoy TV and movies from Paramount+ as soon as you’re done creating your account!

Using Paramount+

Once you sign into your Paramount+ account, you’ll be greeted with a variety of options to help you make a viewing selection. You’ll see things like My List, which takes you to your watch list, or things like Trending Shows or Recently Added. You can also choose a network hub to see everything that Paramount+ offers from those networks. Once you make a selection it should begin immediately!

You can stream Paramount+ on the device of your choice including your computer, phone, tablet, Roku, or your Amazon Fire Stick. When you first sign into your account you’ll arrive on the profile screen if you’ve taken advantage of this feature. You can make six profiles for your account. The benefit of profiles is that they keep track of what you’re watching, and you can save your favorites to find them faster! After you’ve clicked your profile, all you have to do is make a selection and start watching!

 

How Much Does Paramount+ Cost?

Paramount+ pricing includes two packages that both offer monthly and annual payment options.

The Essential plan features the complete on-demand library and limited access to live sports for $5 per month or $50 for the entire year. This plan comes with ads.

The other option is the Premium plan, which is ad free (live streaming content still has ads) and features the on-demand library, your local CBS live stream, and a range of sports content for $10 per month or $100 for the year.

 

Paramount+ Pros & Cons

Every streaming service has a few pros and cons to subscribing. If you’re wondering the highs and lows of Paramount+, this section might be what you’re looking for. Here are the pros and cons to signing up for the Paramount+ streaming service:

Pro: A Huge On-Demand Library

If content is king, Paramount+ has a lot to celebrate. Sci-Fi fans will love being able to watch every single Star Trek show and the comfort of knowing that new shows in the franchise will land here, exclusively. Whether you’re into TOS or Picard or even Strange New Worlds, this is where you can find it! They also have a selection of movies that arrive around a month after they’ve started airing in theaters. The on-demand library also features original content that you can’t find anywhere else. Original content includes shows like 1883, The Offer, The Equalizer, Evil, and many other popular titles.

Pro: Tons of Kids Content

If you have kids or just like cartoons, Paramount+ has access to the full Nickelodeon library. This means everything from newer titles to old favorites like Rugrats, Doug, and SpongeBob SquarePants. For the parents, you’ll even be able to check out classic titles like You Can’t Do That on Television! All titles are available on-demand. If you’re kids are watching, you can even make them their own profile so that all of their favorites are on their own watch list and not cluttering yours!

Pro: Simple to Find New Things to Watch

The setup that Paramount+ offers on their main page is simple enough for anyone to use. You can pick a supported network, a featured program, or click the live tab if your plan supports live viewing. Once you click a hub (CBS, for example), you’ll see newly added episodes, full seasons of both new and classic shows, and you can find what’s trending. You can also use the standard search if you know what you want to watch and aren’t interested in browsing.

Con: Not All Packages Include Live Access

Paramount+ isn’t the first streaming service to offer plans that come with ads and premium plans that remove those ads. However, they are one of the few services I’ve encountered that restrict live content based on the plan you choose, meaning if you really want to watch sports online, you’ll probably need the top plan. On the plus side, no matter the plan, you will have access to NFL on CBS. If you’re signed up to the Essential plan, this is the only live sports you’ll likely see. The Premium plan on the other hand, offers college football and March Madness, PGA, MMA, and more. If you can afford it and don’t mind paying more, this isn’t going to be an issue for you, but it seems like a small letdown for people trying to save money by streaming.

Con: Not All Shows have Every Season

If you’re a binge-watcher, Paramount+ could be a popular option for you. When it comes to classic shows (shows no longer on the air), you’ll find the full series ready to enjoy. With 30,000 hours of content, you shouldn’t have any problem finding something to watch. However, currently airing seasons sometimes have the full series to the point you’re watching, but some shows only have limited seasons.

 

FAQ

What is Paramount+?

Paramount+ is a streaming service that offers a mix of live and on-demand content. With a subscription, you’ll have access to live sports, TV shows, movies, documentaries, and more from several networks and studios. You can stream this content on multiple streaming devices. Prices are fair for a smaller service, and you have the option to cancel whenever you want. With Paramount+ you can watch shows from CBS, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and VH1.

How much is Paramount+?

You can choose between two packages. The Essential plan is available for $5/month or $50/year and you receive access to the on-demand Paramount+ library and select live NFL events. The Premium plan is available for $10/month or $100 per year and you get everything in the Essential plan, plus your local CBS live stream!

Does Paramount+ have a free trial?

Yes, they do! In fact, right now Paramount+ is offering a free 7-day trial to new subscribers. You can cancel your account at any time, so make sure to cancel before the trial ends if you’re not satisfied with the service.

What devices are compatible with Paramount+?

You can use most of the common, popular streaming devices to watch Paramount+. Some available options include phones, tablets, computer browsers, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, and other devices.

 

Is Paramount+ Worth It?

Paramount+ is a great option for binge-watchers and for fans of classic TV. There is plenty of new and older titles to enjoy. The biggest letdown is that Paramount+ only offers a CBS live stream in the Premium package. Still, at just $10 per month, it’s cheaper than Netflix and it offers some of the best original content around, and access to NFL and other sports. If you’re looking to add to your streaming library, this may be a good option for you whether you like sports or not!

Make sure to sign up for your 7-day trial, today!

Have any questions about our Paramount+ review? Share them with us by commenting below.

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