Paramount+ Price Increase: Is It the Third in a Row?
Yes—Paramount+ raised its U.S. subscription prices for the third consecutive year in 2025, following increases in 2023 and 2024. The change took effect for new subscribers on January 15, 2025, and for existing subscribers at their next billing date on or after that day; the amount depended on the plan.
What changed in 2025
Paramount Global announced new U.S. prices for its streaming service, Paramount+, in January 2025. The ad-supported Essential plan rose by $2 per month, from $5.99 to $7.99. The ad-free-with-limited-live-content Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan rose by $1, from $11.99 to $12.99 per month. Annual subscription prices also increased: Essential went from $59.99 to $59.99? No—the annual Essential price remained $59.99, while the annual Premium plan increased from $119.99 to $129.99. Check the plan and billing terms shown in your account, because promotions and partner subscriptions may differ.
These are U.S. list prices, not a promise about what every subscriber pays. Taxes, promotional offers, billing through a third party, and plan availability can affect the amount or the date a change appears. The service’s plan names and inclusions can also vary by country.
Why people call it the third increase in a row
The phrase refers to annual price changes in three successive years, not three separate increases within one year. Paramount+ raised prices in 2023, again in 2024, and again in 2025. The years are easy to confuse because earlier changes affected different plans by different amounts.
- 2023: The ad-supported plan increased from $4.99 to $5.99 monthly, while the premium plan that included SHOWTIME moved from $9.99 to $11.99.
- 2024: Essential remained $5.99 monthly, while Paramount+ with SHOWTIME increased from $11.99 to $12.99.
- 2025: Essential rose to $7.99 monthly, and the SHOWTIME plan stayed at $12.99 monthly.
So “third in a row” is broadly accurate for the service’s annual pricing history, but it does not mean both plans went up every year. Essential’s monthly price held steady in 2024, for example. The annual plan changes should be checked separately rather than inferred from monthly prices.
Which subscription costs more—and what it includes
Essential is the lower-priced, ad-supported option. It includes a selection of live content and on-demand programming, but it does not include the full set of benefits associated with Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. The higher tier removes most on-demand advertising, adds SHOWTIME programming and includes access to certain live channels and events. “Ad-free” does not necessarily mean every stream is free of ads: live television, promotional material, and some programming may still contain them.
For a subscriber deciding whether the higher tier is worth it, the useful comparison is the annual difference as well as the monthly one. At the 2025 monthly list prices, the difference is $5 per month, or $60 over 12 months before taxes. That comparison only helps if the person expects to use the additional shows or features; otherwise, Essential may be sufficient. Check the current plan page for the exact inclusions in your region before switching.
When the new price applies
New subscribers were charged the changed list prices starting January 15, 2025. Existing customers were generally moved to the new price at their next renewal on or after that date, rather than all being charged on January 15. A subscriber billed monthly might therefore see the change on a later statement than someone who signed up that day.
Billing route matters. If you subscribe through Apple, Google, a television provider, or another partner, the partner may handle renewal notices and payment details. To confirm the actual amount, inspect the subscription management page for the account that bills you, not just the Paramount+ website. Look for the plan, renewal date, and listed upcoming charge.
How to check or change your plan
Before cancelling or downgrading, identify where the subscription is managed. Sign in to Paramount+ and review account or subscription details; if billing is handled elsewhere, follow the account-management link or open the relevant app-store or provider subscription settings. The exact labels can vary by device and billing partner.
- Check the plan name and next renewal date.
- Compare the listed charge with the receipt or account statement, allowing for taxes and any discount.
- If the price is higher than expected, confirm whether a promotional rate ended or a plan changed.
- To change or cancel, use the billing provider’s subscription controls and save any confirmation.
Do not assume that deleting the app cancels billing. Likewise, cancelling may stop future renewals without refunding the current billing period; consult the terms shown by the provider before taking action.
What the increase means for subscribers
The yearly pattern makes it sensible to review streaming subscriptions periodically, especially if several services renew at different times. A price rise is not automatically a reason to cancel: the decision depends on whether the available programs, live offerings, and other features justify the cost to you. But comparing the new total with your actual viewing habits can reveal an easy saving, such as moving to a lower tier or pausing a service you rarely use.
One common misconception is that a price announcement changes every customer’s bill immediately. In practice, renewal timing and billing channel determine when it appears. Another is that the displayed advertised price must match the final charge; taxes, regional pricing, partner billing, or a lapsed discount can produce a different total. The account’s renewal screen is the best place to verify the amount that will be charged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Paramount+ raise prices in 2025?
Yes. In the United States, the monthly Essential plan rose from $5.99 to $7.99, while Paramount+ with SHOWTIME rose from $11.99 to $12.99, effective for new subscriptions January 15, 2025.
Is this Paramount+’s third price increase in a row?
It is the third consecutive year with a price increase somewhere in its U.S. subscription pricing: 2023, 2024, and 2025. Individual plans did not all increase every year.
Will existing subscribers pay more immediately?
Usually not on the announcement date. The higher price applies at an existing subscriber’s next billing date on or after the effective date, though partner billing schedules and notices can differ.
Did the annual Paramount+ Essential price increase in 2025?
The 2025 U.S. list price for annual Essential remained $59.99. Annual prices and promotional terms can change, so confirm the amount displayed for your account before renewing.
How can I see what Paramount+ will charge me?
Open the subscription or billing settings for the account or provider that manages your payment. Check the plan, renewal date, and upcoming charge, including any taxes or expiring promotion.
Can I cancel Paramount+ after a price increase?
You can manage or cancel a subscription through its billing provider. Review the provider’s cancellation terms and retain confirmation; removing the app alone does not cancel a paid subscription.
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