Paramount+ Review: $7.99/mo for NFL + Star Trek (Worth It?)

Paramount+ occupies an interesting position in the streaming wars. It is not trying to be Netflix, and it does not have Disney’s franchise dominance. Instead, it has carved out a niche as the home of specific content universes that fans genuinely love: the complete Star Trek franchise, Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone empire, and some of the best live sports coverage in streaming.

We have tested Paramount+ across both subscription tiers for the past six months, evaluating everything from streaming quality to content depth. Here is our honest assessment of whether this service deserves a spot in your streaming rotation for 2026.

Quick Verdict

Paramount+ is not a streaming service that tries to be everything to everyone. It excels in specific areas: live sports, science fiction, and Taylor Sheridan’s expanding western universe. If those categories align with your interests, Paramount+ delivers exceptional value. If they do not, you might find the content library underwhelming compared to Netflix or Max.

The Essential tier at $7.99/month offers solid value with NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League soccer, and access to select Showtime content. The Premium tier at $12.99/month removes most ads, adds 4K streaming, and includes the complete Showtime library. Both tiers allow three simultaneous streams.

Bottom line: Paramount+ is worth subscribing to if you want live sports, Star Trek, or Yellowstone content. For general entertainment variety, it works better as a secondary service alongside Netflix or Disney+ rather than your primary streaming platform.

Paramount+ Pricing Breakdown (2026)

Paramount+ keeps pricing simple with two straightforward tiers. Here is what each plan includes:

Plan	Monthly Price	Annual Price	Resolution	Ads	Key Features
Essential	$7.99	$59.99	1080p	Yes	NFL, UEFA, select Showtime content
Premium	$12.99	$119.99	4K HDR	Minimal	Full Showtime library, live CBS, downloads

Essential Plan: The Budget-Friendly Option

The $7.99 Essential plan provides access to over 40,000 episodes and movies from CBS, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and BET. You get live NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League matches, making it one of the most affordable ways to stream live sports.

The Essential tier includes ads during on-demand content, though the ad load is lighter than traditional television. One significant limitation: you do not get access to your local CBS station’s live feed. You can still watch NFL games through separate live feeds, but local news and primetime CBS programming requires the Premium tier.

In 2025, Paramount began rolling select Showtime series into the Essential tier, giving budget-conscious subscribers access to shows like Yellowjackets and Billions without paying for Premium. This represents genuine added value.

Premium Plan: The Complete Package

The Premium tier at $12.99/month (formerly called “Paramount+ with Showtime”) includes everything in Essential plus:

• Ad-free on-demand viewing (live TV still has ads)
• 4K Ultra HD and HDR streaming on supported content
• Complete Showtime library including all original series and movies
• Live CBS feed from your local station
• Download capability for offline viewing

For households that want live sports, Showtime content, and the ability to watch local CBS programming, Premium represents solid value at roughly $13/month. The annual plan at $119.99 saves about $36 compared to paying monthly.

Content Library: What Makes Paramount+ Unique

Paramount+ houses approximately 40,000 TV episodes and 2,500 movies, making it smaller than Netflix but competitive with services like Peacock and Apple TV+. What sets it apart is not the raw numbers but the specific franchises it exclusively owns.

Star Trek: The Complete Universe

If you are a Star Trek fan, Paramount+ is non-negotiable. Every Star Trek series from the 1966 original through the newest releases lives here:

Classic Series:

• Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
• Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
• Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)

Modern Paramount+ Originals:

• Star Trek: Discovery (2017-2024)
• Star Trek: Picard (2020-2023)
• Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-present)
• Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-2024)
• Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-present)
• Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (2025)

No other streaming service offers this complete collection. For fans of the franchise, this alone justifies the subscription cost.

The Yellowstone Universe

Taylor Sheridan’s western drama empire has become a streaming phenomenon, and most of it lives on Paramount+:

Available on Paramount+:

• 1883 (prequel series following the Dutton family’s journey west)
• 1923 (prequel starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren)
• 1944 (upcoming prequel, confirmed for future release)
• Tulsa King (Sylvester Stallone crime drama)
• Mayor of Kingstown (Jeremy Renner drama)
• Lioness (CIA spy thriller)

The Yellowstone Catch: The main Yellowstone series (starring Kevin Costner) is NOT available on Paramount+ due to a Peacock licensing deal. This is genuinely frustrating for fans who subscribe specifically for Yellowstone content. You get all the spinoffs but need Peacock for the flagship show.

CBS and Showtime Originals

The merger of Showtime into Paramount+ in 2023 significantly strengthened the content library. Premium subscribers get access to acclaimed series including:

Showtime Originals:

• Yellowjackets (survival drama/thriller)
• Billions (financial power drama)
• Dexter (complete series plus New Blood and Resurrection)
• Ray Donovan (crime drama)
• Shameless (complete series)
• The Chi (Chicago drama)
• Your Honor (Bryan Cranston thriller)

CBS Originals and Classics:

• NCIS (complete franchise including NCIS: Tony & Ziva)
• Evil (supernatural procedural)
• The Good Fight (legal drama)
• Ghosts (comedy)
• Criminal Minds (revival)
• Survivor and The Amazing Race

Nickelodeon and Family Content

Paramount+ is stacked with Nickelodeon content, making it a strong choice for families with children:

• SpongeBob SquarePants (complete series)
• PAW Patrol
• Dora the Explorer
• iCarly (original and revival)
• Avatar: The Last Airbender
• Rugrats (classic and reboot)
• Blue’s Clues

The kids’ content library rivals Disney+ for depth, though it lacks the theatrical movie catalog that makes Disney+ the obvious family choice.

Movie Library

Paramount Pictures provides a solid catalog of films, though not as extensive as Netflix’s or Prime Video’s offerings:

Classics:

• The Godfather trilogy
• Forrest Gump
• Titanic
• Indiana Jones franchise
• Mission: Impossible franchise

Recent Releases:

• Top Gun: Maverick
• A Quiet Place franchise
• Transformers films
• Sonic the Hedgehog films

New Paramount theatrical releases typically arrive on Paramount+ within 45-90 days of their theatrical run, faster than most competitors but slower than same-day releases on Max for Warner Bros. films.

Live Sports: Paramount+‘s Secret Weapon

Live sports coverage is where Paramount+ genuinely outshines most streaming competitors. If you follow NFL football or international soccer, the value proposition is compelling.

NFL on CBS

Paramount+ streams NFL on CBS games throughout the regular season and playoffs. Coverage includes:

• Sunday afternoon games (AFC matchups and select national broadcasts)
• NFL Today+ pre-game show every Sunday at 10 AM ET
• Playoff games through the AFC Championship
• Super Bowl (when CBS has broadcast rights)

You get access to stars like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and other AFC standouts. The streaming quality is reliable, and you can pause, rewind, and fast-forward games, which addresses a common complaint about live sports streaming.

Both Essential and Premium tiers include NFL coverage, making the $7.99 Essential plan one of the cheapest ways to stream live NFL games legally.

UEFA Champions League and Global Soccer

Paramount+ is the exclusive U.S. home of UEFA club competitions:

• UEFA Champions League (every match)
• UEFA Europa League (every match)
• UEFA Europa Conference League (every match)
• UEFA Women’s Champions League (added in 2025)

Beyond UEFA, soccer coverage extends to:

• Serie A (Italian top-flight league)
• NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League)
• Concacaf tournaments (Nations League, Gold Cup)
• Argentine Primera Division
• Scottish Professional Football League (added 2025)
• Select English Football League matches

For soccer fans, this coverage is genuinely comprehensive. The combination of Champions League and Serie A alone justifies the subscription for serious followers of European football.

March Madness and College Sports

Paramount+ streams NCAA Tournament games that air on CBS, including:

• March Madness (select games on CBS)
• Selection Sunday
• Big Ten college football (added to CBS in 2024)
• SEC college football (select games)

Additional Sports Coverage

• PGA Tour golf (including The Masters and PGA Championship)
• Boxing (through Showtime Sports on Premium tier)
• Bellator MMA events

Streaming Quality and Technical Performance

Video and Audio Quality

Paramount+ delivers content predominantly in 1080p Full HD on the Essential plan:

Quality Level	Bandwidth Required	Available On
SD (480p)	1.5 Mbps	All plans
HD (720p)	4 Mbps	All plans
Full HD (1080p)	8 Mbps	All plans
4K Ultra HD	16 Mbps	Premium only
4K HDR (Dolby Vision)	25 Mbps	Premium only

The Premium tier unlocks 4K Ultra HD and HDR (including Dolby Vision) on supported titles. However, the 4K library is smaller than competitors like Netflix, Disney+, or Apple TV+. Many shows and movies are still capped at 1080p even on Premium.

Audio quality reaches Dolby Atmos on select content with Premium, though support is not universal.

App Stability: The Weak Point

This is where Paramount+ struggles. Multiple reviews and our own testing confirm that the app has stability issues across platforms:

• Smart TV apps (especially Samsung) experience crashes
• Buffering issues occur even on fast connections
• Navigation lag when browsing the content library
• Live sports streams occasionally stutter during high-traffic events

The Paramount+ interface also feels dated and cluttered compared to the clean designs of Netflix, Disney+, or Apple TV+. Finding content takes more effort than it should. The search function works but lacks the predictive intelligence of competitors.

These technical issues are not dealbreakers, but they are frustrating when paying for a premium subscription. Paramount Global has acknowledged the problems and claims ongoing improvements, but progress has been slow.

Device Support

Paramount+ is available on most major platforms:

• Mobile: iOS, Android phones and tablets
• Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, Vizio, and others
• Streaming Devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast
• Gaming Consoles: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S
• Web Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge

The mobile apps are generally more stable than smart TV apps. Downloads for offline viewing are available on the Premium tier only.

How Paramount+ Compares to Competitors

Paramount+ vs. Netflix

Netflix offers significantly more content variety and higher production volume, but at higher prices. Netflix’s cheapest ad tier ($7.99) matches Paramount+ Essential’s price but lacks live sports entirely.

Choose Paramount+ if: You want live NFL and soccer Choose Netflix if: You want the most original content variety

Paramount+ vs. Disney+

Disney+ excels at franchise content (Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar) and includes 4K on all plans (including the $9.99 ad tier). Paramount+ offers better live sports and more mature content through Showtime.

Choose Paramount+ if: You want live sports and adult dramas Choose Disney+ if: You have children or love Disney franchises

Paramount+ vs. Peacock

Peacock has the main Yellowstone series, Premier League soccer, and Sunday Night Football. Paramount+ has Champions League soccer and Taylor Sheridan’s spinoff shows. For sports fans, the choice depends on which leagues you follow.

Choose Paramount+ if: You follow European soccer (Champions League, Serie A) Choose Peacock if: You follow Premier League or want main Yellowstone

Paramount+ vs. Apple TV+

Apple TV+ costs $9.99/month with no ads and includes 4K on all content but has a much smaller library. Paramount+ offers more content volume at a lower price point.

Choose Paramount+ if: You want more content and live sports Choose Apple TV+ if: You prioritize production quality over quantity

Who Should Subscribe to Paramount+?

Paramount+ makes sense if you:

• Follow NFL football and want to stream CBS games
• Watch UEFA Champions League or Serie A soccer
• Love Star Trek and want the complete franchise
• Enjoy Taylor Sheridan’s shows (1883, 1923, Tulsa King)
• Have children who watch Nickelodeon content
• Want Showtime series without a separate subscription

Consider alternatives if you:

• Want the widest variety of content (Netflix is better)
• Prioritize streaming quality and app stability (Apple TV+ is better)
• Need the main Yellowstone series (requires Peacock)
• Want same-day theatrical releases (Max offers this for Warner Bros. films)
• Follow Premier League soccer (Peacock has the rights)

Methodology: How We Evaluated Paramount+

We have maintained active Paramount+ subscriptions on both tiers since early 2025. Our evaluation process included:

• Content tracking: Monitored new releases and catalog changes over six months
• Streaming tests: Evaluated video quality across 8 devices on a 200 Mbps connection
• App stability: Documented crashes, buffering incidents, and interface issues
• Live sports: Tested NFL and UEFA streams during multiple live events
• Price comparison: Analyzed value against Netflix, Disney+, Peacock, and Max
• User experience: Assessed navigation, search, and content discovery

All observations come from hands-on testing with paid subscriptions, not manufacturer claims or press materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paramount+ worth it in 2026?

Paramount+ offers good value if its content aligns with your interests. The $7.99 Essential tier is one of the best deals in streaming for NFL and soccer fans. The $12.99 Premium tier makes sense if you want Showtime content and 4K streaming. For general entertainment variety, it works better as a secondary service than your only subscription.

Does Paramount+ have live TV?

Yes. Premium subscribers get live CBS from their local affiliate. Both tiers include live sports (NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, March Madness) through dedicated live feeds. However, Paramount+ is not a full cable replacement and does not include other live channels.

Can I watch Yellowstone on Paramount+?

The main Yellowstone series is NOT available on Paramount+ due to a Peacock licensing deal. However, Paramount+ exclusively streams all the spinoffs: 1883, 1923, and upcoming prequels. If you want the full Yellowstone universe, you need both Paramount+ and Peacock.

How many screens can watch Paramount+ at once?

Both Essential and Premium plans allow three simultaneous streams. This is more generous than Netflix’s ad tier (2 streams) but less than Netflix Premium (4 streams) or Disney+ (4 streams).

Does Paramount+ have 4K content?

Yes, but only on the Premium tier ($12.99/month). The 4K library includes select movies and shows with HDR and Dolby Vision support. However, the 4K catalog is smaller than Netflix, Disney+, or Apple TV+. Many titles remain 1080p only.

Is there a free trial for Paramount+?

Yes. New subscribers can try either the Essential or Premium tier free for 7 days. This gives you full access to evaluate the content library before committing to a paid subscription.

What sports are on Paramount+?

Paramount+ streams NFL on CBS (Sunday games, playoffs), UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, NWSL, March Madness (CBS games), PGA Tour golf, and boxing/MMA through Showtime. It is one of the most comprehensive sports offerings in streaming.

Does Paramount+ have ads?

The Essential tier ($7.99) includes ads during on-demand content. The Premium tier ($12.99) is ad-free for on-demand viewing but still shows ads during live TV and some live sports. Neither tier is completely ad-free.

Final Verdict

Paramount+ is a niche streaming service that excels in specific areas rather than trying to compete with Netflix’s breadth. If you care about Star Trek, Taylor Sheridan’s westerns, or live sports (especially NFL and European soccer), Paramount+ delivers genuine value that competitors cannot match.

The challenges are real. The app needs improvement, with stability issues that frustrate users across platforms. The 4K library is limited compared to premium competitors. And the irony of not having the main Yellowstone series while hosting all its spinoffs is legitimately confusing for casual viewers.

Our recommendation: Start with the Essential tier at $7.99/month if you want live sports or specific franchise content. The 7-day free trial gives you time to explore the library before committing. Upgrade to Premium only if you specifically want Showtime content, 4K streaming, and offline downloads.

Paramount+ is not trying to replace Netflix or Disney+ in your streaming budget. It is a specialized service that delivers exceptional value in its lanes. For the right viewer, it is absolutely worth subscribing to, especially at its competitive price point.

Our Rating: 3.9/5