Paramount Plus is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of TV shows, movies, and live sports. It has two subscription plans: Essential and Premium. The Essential plan costs $5.99 per month and includes access to all of Paramount Plus’s content, but with limited commercials. The Premium plan costs $11.99 per month and includes access to all of Paramount Plus’s content, ad-free, plus Showtime content and live local CBS stations.
So, which plan is right for you? For starters, it depends on your needs and budget. But in the meantime, let’s go over a side-by-side comparison between both options (paramount plus essential vs premium) to help you make the right decision.
Paramount Plus and Its Tier: What Is It?
Users can watch movies and TV shows online through ViacomCBS’ subscription streaming service, Paramount Plus.
CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV, The Smithsonian Channel, and Showtime (only the top tier) provide programming options.
You also have 24-hour access to news programming, such as “60 Minutes” and “Face the Nation.”
In addition, both new and classic Paramount films are included. Aside from originals from Paramount Plus, the library has a unique selection of films. You can even watch your local CBS network live if you subscribe to the premium plan.
Pros
- Low monthly cost
- With both plans, Paramount+ provides 30,000+ hours of content. This streaming app includes a few live TV channels (news and NFL games).
Cons
- Some areas lack Paramount+ channels.
- Some TV shows have episodes that are not available in the library.
- Paramount + offers two subscription plans to accommodate various tastes and budgets: Essential and Premium.
#1. Paramount Essential
You can get a free subscription to Paramount Essential with Paramount+. This service provides access to popular TV shows and movies from CBS, MTV, BET, and Comedy Central.
A limited number of movies are available to Paramount Essential subscribers, as well as a selection of TV shows, news, and live sports.
This tier is for viewers who don’t want premium features but still want access to a wide range of content. It does, however, have the following characteristics:
- The annual fee is $49.99, which works out to $4.99 monthly.
- While streaming, you will encounter a few commercial interruptions.
- You can watch Paramount+ Originals as well as additional exclusive content.
- Over 30,000 episodes and movies are available on demand.
- CBS News provides national news 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Paramount Premium, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive and feature-rich streaming service. Subscribers to this tier receive a variety of additional benefits in addition to access to all of the content available in Paramount Essential.
You may also have access to more movies, original series, early episodes, and a higher-quality stream. You can enjoy a more enriched viewing experience and access to a larger content library with Paramount Premium.
A premium account includes the following benefits:
- There is a $9.99 monthly fee or a $99.99 annual fee.
- There are no advertisements except for live TV and a few other shows.
- CBS broadcasts the NFL, WEFA Champions League soccer, NCAA basketball, PGA golf, and other events.
- You can download shows to watch offline at any time and from any location.
- You can always stay up-to-date with CBS Live and CBS local news.
- Along with all of your local channels, there is a live CBS channel.
Those who can benefit from the premium features of Paramount Plus, such as more sports content, fewer ads, local news, the ability to download shows, and the use of 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10, should consider upgrading.
Essential may be a better option for those who will not use the aforementioned features and/or prefer the lower price of $4.99.
Keep in mind that Premium includes higher-resolution video and HDR support, which Essential does not.
The good news is that both Essential and Premium come with a 7-day trial period, allowing new users to test the service before paying. During the trial period, I’d recommend exploring 4K video to see if it’s worth the extra cost, in addition to your local news channel and possibly some downloads. If you find yourself enjoying those features, Premium may be worth the extra money.
If you want to take advantage of higher-resolution video and/or HDR support, fewer ads, more sports coverage, local news channels, and the ability to download, upgrading to Paramount Plus Premium is a good idea. If this justifies the extra $5 per month over Essential, Premium may be worthwhile.
Essential is the more obvious choice for those who are content with watching shows in lower resolution and with ad breaks, and it costs only $4.99 per month.
#1. Comparison
Originals from Paramount Plus are available on both plans. Both plans include access to tens of thousands of movies and TV shows.
CBS and CBSN live news coverage is available both nationally and locally with Paramount Plus Premium. In contrast to the previous Paramount Plus Essential, which only included CBSN news, the new Paramount Plus Essential only includes local news.
There is more sports coverage on the Paramount Premium plan, and users can download content offline as well.
#2. Pricing
The Paramount Plus Essential subscription plan is even less expensive than the previously discontinued base plan. You can get Plus Essential for $4.99 per month.
Furthermore, you can subscribe to the premium plan on a monthly or yearly basis. A monthly fee of $9.99 or a yearly fee of $99.99 is charged.
In addition, both plans include a free week trial period so you can try it out before committing. Make sure to try both and select the one that best meets your needs.
#3. Streaming Quality
HDR10 and 4K streaming are not supported by the Paramount Plus Essential or Premier plans. Dolby Vision content is also not supported.
The Premium subscription, on the other hand, includes all of these features as well as 4K streaming. You only need to be concerned about having a highly stable internet connection.
#4. Content
The number of channels and content available differs significantly between the Paramount Plus Essential and Premium plans. The Essential Plan includes access to over 30,000 movies, TV shows, and other forms of entertainment, including Paramount Plus originals and other exclusive programs.
The Paramount+ Premium Plan, on the other hand, includes everything that the Paramount Plus Essential Plan does. You can also access a wide variety of entertainment content, such as music, movies, and television shows.
Furthermore, it provides access to top soccer, NFL on CBS, and a variety of other popular sports. The most important feature is that you have access to all of your local CBS live channels as well as the ability to download your favorite shows or movies to watch later.
What Are the Subscriptions’ Targeted Audiences and Viewing Habits?
If you are unsure about which Paramount+ tier is best for you, it is critical to first understand your own viewing preferences and habits.
#1. Paramount Essential Audience
On Paramount Essential, a variety of content genres are available to meet the needs of a diverse audience. This tier is appropriate for a family or individual who wants to watch popular television shows, basic movies, and live sports without requiring advanced features.
The Premium tier will benefit viewers looking for an immersive and premium streaming experience. There are many movie fans, fans of original series, and those who value quality and convenience in their streaming experience. Premium subscribers can also access content offline and in higher resolutions.
What If You Already Owned The $10 Paramount Plus Plan That Has Been Discontinued?
The “Limited Commercials” plan, which cost $10 per month and is no longer available, was purchased by Paramount Plus subscribers.
As a result, if you subscribed to this plan when it was offered, you will be able to access all of its benefits as long as your account is still active until you decide whether to terminate it and re-subscribe or change your plan.
What exactly is Paramount Plus?
The streaming service Paramount+ provides a wide selection of movies and TV shows from networks such as CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central. It also includes unique original content.
What types of content are available on Paramount Plus?
Subscribers have access to an extensive library of classic and current TV shows and films. Original content, such as new series and movies based on ViacomCBS properties, is also available on Paramount+.
Final Thoughts
The Essential and Premium editions of Paramount Plus provide access to tens of thousands of movies and TV shows, as well as Paramount Plus originals.
The lower tier, Paramount Plus Essential, costs $4.99 per month, while Paramount Plus Premium costs $9.99 per month.
The only difference is that the latter is ad-free and offers access to the live CBS channel.
So, we hope the preceding article on Paramount Plus Essential vs Premium has assisted you in finding answers to your questions.
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