Paramount Plus price drop is coming June 7 — but there's a catch

By Henry T. Casey
last updated

Paramount Plus' Essential plan proves you get what you pay for

Paramount Plus
(Image credit: Paramount Plus)

On June 7, Paramount Plus' ad-supported package will get cheaper for new subscribers, but with an annoying catch. Live CBS channels will no longer be included in the new entry-level Paramount Plus package, dubbed "Paramount+ Essential." 

This isn't surprising, as this difference was mentioned when Paramount Plus launched earlier this year. But for those who don't keep track of press releases, the different tiers may something of a surprise: we just got re-confirmation of this change from an email Paramount Plus is sending out to subscribers, one of whom is currently on the Limited Commercials plan.

Existing Paramount Plus subscribers on the service's $5.99 per month Limited Commercials plan will not be affected. They're grandfathered in, and locked in — that is, unless they cancel and resubscribe after June 7.

Paramount Plus plans

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Paramount Plus planLimited CommercialsEssentialCommercial Free
Price$5.99 per month$4.99 per month$9.99 per month
On demand contentYesYesYes
Live CBS stationsYesNoYes
AdsYesYesOnly in live TV and select shows
AvailableUntil June 7Starting June 7 and laterNow

So, if you want live CBS TV without paying full price, the choice is pretty clear. Subscribe before June 7 ... and stay subscribed until you're OK with letting go of the $1 per month discount. 

Because once you do, you'll need to get the $9.99 per month Commercial Free package, which Paramount Plus notes does have limited ads. Specifically, Paramount Plus' FAQ page notes that "live TV streams have commercials, and a few shows include brief promotional interruptions to keep you in the loop on new and upcoming Paramount+ programming."

This is the latest bit of consumer-facing advertising news in the world of streaming. Last week, HBO Max announced its ad-supported $9.99 per month tier, which won't have the big same-day movie releases that bring theatrical movies to the streaming service. It's also coming this June.

It's not exactly surprising that these services are keeping their (arguably) strongest features behind higher paywalls, but it does make their entry-level pricing a little less sincere. High-profile movies such as Godzilla vs Kong and Wonder Woman 1984 likely drove subscriptions for HBO Max, and we're guessing that cord-cutters were happy to find an affordable way to keep CBS and watch live sports.

Take a look at our Paramount Plus coupon codes page for the latest offers. 

More: Everything to know about Umbrella Academy season 3

Henry T. Casey
Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

2 Comments Comment from the forums
  • ddf200
    All of the network TV streaming services are missing the mark. They just don't get it, and are unable to give users what they really want. On demand streaming of all content with no restrictions for paid tiers. Think Netflix. They are still trying to protect their broadcast tv properties with delayed availability of content. Let me watch the national news, on demand within minutes of the broadcast being available on the East coast, regardless of where I live in the country. Nope, they want to throttle content and continue to hold on to old broadcast ways of doing business. Recipe for failure.
    Reply
  • churchilljasona
    ddf200 said:
    All of the network TV streaming services are missing the mark. They just don't get it, and are unable to give users what they really want. On demand streaming of all content with no restrictions for paid tiers. Think Netflix. They are still trying to protect their broadcast tv properties with delayed availability of content. Let me watch the national news, on demand within minutes of the broadcast being available on the East coast, regardless of where I live in the country. Nope, they want to throttle content and continue to hold on to old broadcast ways of doing business. Recipe for failure.

    They also don't seem to get how to sell the advantage of streaming vs those that have broadcast access only.

    For example: Look how ridiculously spread out episode drops of Clarice have been. Nine episode since February.

    Why not give an annual subscription option and give those subscribers every episode at once? Streaming services already battle keeping monthly users, anyway.

    They seem to think about this stuff the same as broadcast TV.
    Reply