In the United States, Paramount+ raised the price for new Essential subscribers from $5.99 to $7.99 per month starting August 20, 2024. Existing Essential subscribers were grandfathered at $5.99 under the announced change. The monthly Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan rose from $11.99 to $12.99 for new customers, while existing customers received the higher rate at renewals on or after September 20, 2024.
What changed in August 2024?
Paramount Global announced two monthly plan changes, but they did not affect every customer on the same date. The Essential price change applied to new subscribers in August; the SHOWTIME-tier increase also reached existing subscribers, beginning with qualifying September renewals.
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| Plan | 2024 monthly price change | Who was affected and when |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ Essential | $5.99 to $7.99 | New subscribers from August 20, 2024. Existing customers were grandfathered at $5.99 under the announcement. |
| Paramount+ with SHOWTIME | $11.99 to $12.99 | New and existing customers. Existing customers saw the increase at their first renewal on or after September 20, 2024. |
| Legacy Limited Commercial | Increased by $1 to $7.99 | TIME reported the increase for this legacy plan; individual billing details may differ. |
Paramount Global described the Essential change as taking effect “later this month” in its August 8, 2024 earnings-call transcript; TIME reported August 20 as the effective date for new subscribers. Paramount Global’s earnings-call transcript and TIME’s June 6, 2024 report provide the announcement details.
When did an existing subscriber’s price go up?
If you had Essential
The announced 2024 change did not raise the monthly price for existing Essential customers: Paramount Global said they would remain grandfathered at $5.99 per month. The $7.99 rate applied to new subscribers beginning August 20, 2024.
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If you had Paramount+ with SHOWTIME
The plan’s monthly price increased by $1, from $11.99 to $12.99. For existing customers, TIME reported that the new rate took effect on the first renewal on or after September 20, 2024, rather than for everyone on August 20.
If you had the legacy Limited Commercial plan
TIME reported a $1 increase to $7.99 per month. Limited Commercial was a legacy plan, not another name for Essential. The available reporting does not establish identical billing terms for every account, so promotions and third-party billing arrangements may have affected the date or amount charged.
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- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
What did the two plans include?
The plans differed in more than price. Paramount+’s help page describes Essential as including limited commercials, without SHOWTIME content or mobile downloads. The former Paramount+ with SHOWTIME tier included SHOWTIME content, downloads, and access to local live CBS. These are feature distinctions for the plans described on that page; its displayed prices are not current price guidance. Paramount+’s plan comparison explains the feature differences.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are those Paramount+ prices current?
No. The figures above describe the 2024 announcement, not current rates. On October 8, 2026, Paramount+’s official US homepage advertised plans starting at $8.99 per month and Premium at $13.99 per month. Pricing can change, so check the Paramount+ US homepage for the rate currently offered to you.
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- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
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.
