Paramount Plus just increased the price of its cheapest plan

And made its ad-free tier more expensive.

by Emma Roth

Jun 27, 2023, 4:01 PM UTC

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.

Paramount Plus is raising the price of its ad-supported plan today. Instead of $4.99 per month, the service’s essential plan will now cost $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.

The price increase comes as Paramount Plus simplifies its subscription options with its new Paramount Plus with Showtime tier. Before this change, Paramount Plus had two separate ad-free premium plans: one without Showtime for $9.99 per month and another with Showtime for $11.99 per month. The new Paramount Plus with Showtime tier replaces the $9.99 per month plan, leaving the service with just two subscription options.

Unlike Paramount Plus with Showtime, the service’s ad-supported essential plan comes only with access to content from Paramount Plus, including shows like Yellowstone spinoffs 1883 and 1923, as well as live NFL games through CBS. Meanwhile, the new Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription tier offers access to everything the essential plan has, plus content from Showtime, such as Yellowjackets, Dexter, and Your Honor.

If you’re currently subscribed to Paramount Plus’ old premium plan, the company says you’ll automatically get upgraded to Paramount Plus with Showtime. Unfortunately, that also means you’ll have to start paying the new $11.99 pricing during your next billing cycle. For new customers, Paramount is offering a 30-day free trial to its Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription through July 12th.

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.