Paramount+ Raises Subscription Prices in 2026: What You Need to Know

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Paramount+ is increasing its monthly subscription cost starting in early 2026. The streaming service, which originally launched in 2021 as a replacement for CBS All Access, represents Paramount Global’s major push into the streaming market. Over time, Paramount+ has grown its collection of content to include classic movies and TV shows, live sports, and popular original series like the Yellowstone universe spinoffs, 1923 and 1883.

Paramount+ is now a leading streaming service, reaching 79.1 million subscribers by the end of September 2025 and experiencing rapid growth in recent years. According to CEO David Ellison, Paramount Skydance intends to invest more in creating new shows and movies while also increasing the price of its streaming subscription.

Starting January 15, 2026, Paramount+ is raising prices in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Monthly subscriptions will increase by $1, bringing the ad-supported Essential plan to $8.99 and the ad-free Premium plan to $13.99. Annual plans will also be more expensive: the Essential plan will cost $89.99 per year (up from $59.99), and the Premium plan will be $139.99 per year (up from $119.99).

In his recent letter to shareholders, Bob Bakish explained that investments in Paramount+ are resulting in higher-quality content. He stated the recent price increase is necessary to allow the company to continue improving the service and developing new shows and movies. You can read his full statement below:

We’re continuing to improve Paramount+ with new investments, which means we’ll be raising prices in the U.S. starting early 2026. This will allow us to keep improving your experience and offer even more great shows and movies in the future.

Following Skydance Media’s planned $8 billion purchase of Paramount Global in August 2025, prices are increasing. The last price adjustments happened in August 2024, raising the Premium plan by $1 to $12.99 monthly and the Essential plan by $2 to $7.99 monthly.

Despite a price hike, the company insists its streaming service will still be among the most affordable options available in the U.S. Currently, plans cost $7.99 per month for the Standard with ads, $17.99 for Standard, and $24.99 for Premium. For comparison, HBO Max costs $18.49 monthly or $184.99 annually for its Standard plan, and $22.99 per month or $229.99 annually for Premium.

You can watch Prime Video if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, which costs $14.99 monthly or $139 annually. If you don’t have Prime, you can subscribe to Prime Video alone for $8.99 a month, but it includes ads. To remove the ads from Prime Video, it’s an extra $2.99 per month. Disney+ offers a Basic plan with ads for $11.99 monthly, and a Premium, ad-free plan for $18.99 a month or $189.99 a year.

Paramount+ offers a wide range of popular content, including original series like Landman and Tulsa King, well-known franchises such as South Park and Star Trek, blockbuster movies like Mission: Impossible and Scream, and live sports coverage, including NFL games and the UEFA Champions League.

Although some viewers may not be happy about the price increase, it shows Paramount+ is working to become a top-tier streaming service. With the recent merger with Skydance, the company plans to offer more original shows and movies, including a future Top Gun 3 film. These investments demonstrate Paramount+’s commitment to competing with leading services like Netflix and Disney+ by focusing on well-known franchises and compelling content.

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2025-11-11 02:48