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Paramount+ raised U.S. prices for new subscribers on January 15, 2026. Paramount also announced that it was moving away from free trials, but that does not mean every free-trial offer disappeared nationwide. The company’s current terms still allow trials in some circumstances, depending on eligibility, promotion, territory, and signup method.
What changed?
There are two separate changes:
- Paramount+ introduced higher U.S. prices for new subscribers.
- Paramount said it was retiring free trials as part of its strategy to improve the profitability of subscriber growth.
The price change has a specific implementation date. The free-trial change is less absolute: Paramount’s current U.S. terms still say that a subscription may begin with a free trial.
Current Paramount+ prices in the U.S.
Paramount’s current U.S. plan information lists these prices, before applicable taxes:
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual price | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $8.99 | $89.99 | Lower-cost, ad-supported plan |
| Premium | $13.99 | $139.99 | Includes Showtime content and fewer standard on-demand ads |
The annual prices work out to approximately $7.50 per month for Essential and $11.67 per month for Premium. That is a monthly equivalent, not the amount charged each month: annual subscribers pay upfront and give up some flexibility.
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Premium should not be read as completely interruption-free. Paramount notes that live TV includes advertising and that trailers, sponsorships, or similar material may still appear. See the Paramount+ homepage for the service’s current plan positioning and content information.
When did the price increase take effect?
The new prices took effect for new U.S. subscribers on January 15, 2026, according to Paramount’s support information.
That date does not necessarily tell an existing subscriber when their bill will change. Paramount says affected existing subscribers should receive an email notice 30 days before the higher price takes effect. Its terms generally provide that a price change applies at renewal rather than in the middle of an existing billing period.
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- Monthly subscribers: the new price may begin on a later monthly renewal date after the required notice.
- Annual subscribers: the current rate may remain in effect until the next annual renewal.
- Promotional subscribers: a discounted period may continue temporarily, but the regular renewal price still matters.
The exact date and amount shown in your account or price-change email are more relevant to you than the general advertised price.
Did Paramount+ completely end free trials?
Not demonstrably for every customer and every offer. Paramount’s corporate filing says the company planned to “retire” free trials. However, its current consumer terms still allow a subscription to start with a free trial when Paramount makes one available.
Those terms say Paramount can control the trial’s length and eligibility. Trials are generally intended for new subscribers, may be limited to one per subscriber, require a valid payment method, and automatically convert to paid subscriptions unless canceled before the trial ends. Paramount also restricts attempts to obtain the same promotion through multiple identities or addresses.
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In practice, availability may vary by:
- your prior Paramount+ subscription history;
- the offer shown at signup;
- your country or territory;
- whether you subscribe directly or through a partner; and
- whether the promotion is a trial, discount, bundle, or credit-based offer.
A free trial is not the same as a discounted introduction
Paramount has used limited-time introductory discounts, including an example of 99 cents per month for the first two months. Such offers are temporary and may be unavailable later. They also are not free: the customer is charged immediately at the promotional rate.
| Offer type | How billing works |
|---|---|
| Free trial | No subscription fee during the trial, but a payment method is required and regular billing follows unless canceled. |
| Discounted introduction | You are charged immediately at the reduced price, then usually renew at the regular rate. |
| Bundle | Paramount+ access is tied to another paid service and follows that provider’s conditions. |
| Gift card or credit offer | Available credit covers some or all of the subscription before normal billing may begin. |
Before accepting any “free” or discounted offer, check the first charge date, the regular renewal price, taxes, and the cancellation deadline.
Who is affected?
New direct subscribers
People signing up directly in the U.S. from January 15, 2026, were subject to the new Essential and Premium prices. Promotions can produce a different first charge, but they do not necessarily change the standard renewal price.
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Existing direct subscribers
Existing customers may keep their current price until the applicable renewal. Paramount says affected customers should receive notice 30 days before the increase. Check the email and account page rather than assuming the change occurs on the same day for everyone.
Annual subscribers
An annual subscription can delay the practical effect of a price increase until the next annual renewal. It may cost less on a monthly-equivalent basis, but it requires a larger upfront payment and is less suitable if you expect to cancel soon.
Third-party subscribers
If Apple, Google, Amazon, Roku, a mobile carrier, cable provider, or another distributor bills you, that company may control the renewal date, cancellation process, promotional rules, and price-change notice. Paramount’s terms say third-party subscriptions may be governed by separate conditions.
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Subscribers outside the U.S.
The prices above are U.S.-specific. Do not assume that the same prices, dates, or trial rules apply in Canada, Australia, or other countries.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to avoid an unwanted renewal
- Identify the billing source. Look at your Paramount+ account, app-store subscriptions, or provider bill to determine who charges you.
- Check your plan and renewal date. Record whether you have Essential or Premium, monthly or annual billing, and any promotional end date.
- Read the price-change email. Paramount says affected existing subscribers receive notice 30 days before the higher price takes effect.
- Cancel through the billing provider. Direct subscribers can manage cancellation through their Paramount+ account; partner subscribers must generally cancel with that partner.
- Cancel before the trial or promotion ends. Promotional access normally converts to paid billing automatically unless canceled in time.
- Keep confirmation. Save the cancellation confirmation or take a screenshot of the account status.
Deleting the Paramount+ app does not cancel a subscription. A plan switch can also affect an existing promotion, so review the final confirmation before changing tiers.
Is Paramount+ still worth paying for?
That depends on how consistently you use its catalog. Paramount+ is easier to justify if you regularly watch Paramount originals, Showtime titles, CBS programming, NFL on CBS, UFC, UEFA Champions League, or another exclusive listed on the service homepage.
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- Choose Essential if keeping the monthly cost down matters more than avoiding standard advertising.
- Choose Premium if Showtime content, fewer standard on-demand ads, or included premium features justify the higher price.
- Choose annual billing only if you expect to use the service for most of the year.
- Rotate subscriptions if you only want one series or event: subscribe when the content is available, then cancel before the next renewal.
For viewers seeking only a short-term subscription, the loss or limited availability of a guaranteed free trial makes renewal tracking especially important. A temporary discount can lower the first bill without eliminating the risk of a later automatic charge.
Bottom line
Paramount+’s U.S. price increase is real and already took effect for new subscribers on January 15, 2026. Current listed prices are $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year for Essential, and $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year for Premium, plus applicable taxes. Paramount is moving away from free trials, but its current terms still leave room for limited, eligibility-based trials and partner offers. Check the billing provider, renewal date, and promotion terms before subscribing—and cancel through the provider before automatic billing begins if you do not want to continue.
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