Paramount+ announced a major price hike hitting January 15, 2026. The Essential ad-supported plan jumps to $8.99 per month. The Premium ad-free tier rises to $13.99 monthly. Each plan increases by exactly $1 across monthly and annual pricing tiers.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Essential plan increases by $1 to $8.99/month on Jan. 15, 2026
- Premium ad-free plan rises to $13.99/month for uninterrupted viewing
- Annual plans also increase: Essential to $89.99/year, Premium to $139.99/year
- Free trial offers end for new subscribers joining in 2026
- This marks the third price hike in 3 years for the streaming giant
What Happened: Paramount+ Price Increase Announced
Paramount+ revealed upcoming price increases during its earnings call earlier this month. The streaming service confirmed pricing hikes taking effect on January 15, 2026. Both subscription tiers see identical increases across monthly plans. The Essential plan (with ads) moves from $7.99 to $8.99 monthly. The Premium plan (ad-free) climbs from $12.99 to $13.99 monthly.
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The company also eliminated free trial offers for new subscribers starting in 2026. Annual subscribers face similar increases. Essential annual pricing moves to $89.99/year from $59.99. Premium annual climbs to $139.99/year from $119.99. Canada and Australia will see comparable increases announced separately. The hikes align with Paramount’s strategy of investing heavily in content under new ownership by Skydance Media.
“The price increases reflect our commitment to investing in premium content and improving the overall service experience for our subscribers.” — Paramount+ Leadership
Why This Matters: What Subscribers Should Know
The price increase affects millions of Paramount+ subscribers across America. You’ll pay more for the same content unless you take action beforehand. Current subscribers get grandfathered rates temporarily, but the new pricing applies at your next renewal period. If you’re thinking about canceling or switching, January 15 is your deadline to lock in current rates.
The hike comes as streaming services industry-wide raise prices regularly. Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Max all increased costs throughout 2025. Consumers face 12% average increases across major streaming platforms this year. Budget-conscious viewers must now choose between fewer subscriptions or higher monthly spending.
The Essential plan remains the most affordable option for price-sensitive viewers. You get access to 40,000+ episodes and movies with ads. Live CBS sports and NFL games remain included. The elimination of free trials means new subscribers start paying immediately with no trial period.
Details: Complete Pricing Breakdown for January 2026
Here’s exactly what changes on January 15, 2026 across all subscription tiers:
| Plan Type | Current Monthly | New Monthly | Current Annual | New Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential (Ads) | $7.99 | $8.99 | $59.99 | $89.99 |
| Premium (Ad-Free) | $12.99 | $13.99 | $119.99 | $139.99 |
The Essential plan delivers limited advertising with full library access. You can stream on 3 devices simultaneously with good quality video. The Premium plan removes all ads and adds Showtime content. Premium subscribers access live CBS television and stream on 4 devices at once in high definition.
Both plans now come with zero free trial days starting in 2026. Previously, new subscribers received 7-day trial access. Ending trials encourages immediate payment commitments from new users. This change increases first-month conversions without incentivizing long-term commitments.
What to Watch For: Timeline and Subscriber Impact
- Existing subscribers see price changes at their next renewal after Jan. 15
- Billing renewal dates vary by account creation date and payment method
- Annual plan subscribers get locked rates until renewal periods end
- International pricing likely announced separately for UK, Canada, Australia
- Potential bundle deals may emerge for Paramount+ and Showtime combined
Is This the Last Paramount+ Price Hike?
The question on every subscriber’s mind: Will prices keep climbing? Paramount+ raised prices in June 2024 and again in 2023. Three major increases in 36 months shows a clear pattern. The company invests heavily in content under Skydance Media’s ownership.
Industry reports suggest more hikes are inevitable across streaming platforms. Netflix, Disney+, and Max implemented increases earlier in 2025. Streaming executives cite rising content costs and investment needs. Some analysts predict another round of price increases by mid-2026.
Should you cancel before January 15? That depends on your viewing habits and budget. If Paramount+ content justifies $8.99 monthly, keeping your subscription makes sense. If you watch rarely, downgrading or pausing saves money immediately.
Watch this video explanation of the complete price hike details:
Sources
- Variety – Paramount+ price hike announcement from earnings report
- The Verge – Detailed pricing breakdown and timeline
- Deadline – CEO and leadership statements on price increases
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