In the crowded and competitive streaming landscape, it can be difficult to keep track of which services offer the best value for your entertainment dollar. Two popular options are Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video. If you‘re already paying for a Prime membership, you might be wondering if that also gets you access to Paramount+ for free.
In this detailed guide, we‘ll answer that question and take a comprehensive look at everything you need to know about Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, and how they stack up against other major streaming services.
The Streaming Wars: State of the Industry
The streaming industry has exploded over the past decade, with consumers increasingly cutting the cord on traditional cable television in favor of on-demand entertainment. Some key streaming facts and figures:
- 78% of US households have a subscription video on-demand (SVOD) service, up from just 52% in 2015 (Source)
- The average US consumer subscribes to 4 paid streaming services (Source)
- Global streaming subscriptions topped 1.3 billion in 2021, a 14% jump from 2020 (Source)
- Streaming services spent over $50 billion on original content in 2021 (Source)
Clearly, streaming has become the dominant mode of video consumption, and media companies are investing billions to acquire and retain subscribers. The competition is fierce between streaming giants like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max, while major media corporations like Disney, WarnerMedia, and ViacomCBS have also launched their own direct-to-consumer platforms.
Paramount+: ViacomCBS‘s Streaming Powerhouse
One of those challenger services is Paramount+, launched in March 2021 as an expansion and rebrand of CBS All Access. Owned by ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global), Paramount+ looks to leverage the company‘s extensive catalog of content across brands like CBS, Showtime, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures.
Some quick facts on Paramount+:
- 32.8 million subscribers as of Q1 2022, up from 19.2 million in Q3 2021 (Source)
- $4 billion invested in streaming content in 2021, with plans to increase to $6 billion by 2024 (Source)
- 30,000+ TV episodes, 2,500+ movies, and 1,000+ live sporting events (Source)
- 9.9+ viewers for Paramount‘s Halo original series premiere, a record for the service (Source)
Paramount+ offers a strong value proposition with its mix of classic shows, popular movies, exclusive originals, and live sports and news. But how does it actually compare to competitors? Let‘s dive into the details.
Paramount+ vs. Other Streaming Services
Here‘s a quick comparison of Paramount+‘s pricing and features vs. top streaming rivals:
| Service | Price | Simultaneous Streams | Offline Downloads | 4K HDR | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ Essential | $4.99/month or $49.99/year | 2 | No | No | Yes |
| Paramount+ Premium | $9.99/month or $99.99/year | 3 | Yes | Yes (select titles) | No |
| Netflix Basic | $9.99/month | 1 | No | No | No |
| Netflix Standard | $15.49/month | 2 | Yes | No | No |
| Netflix Premium | $19.99/month | 4 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hulu (with ads) | $6.99/month or $69.99/year | 2 | Yes (select titles) | No | Yes |
| Hulu (no ads) | $12.99/month | 2 | Yes (select titles) | No | No |
| Disney+ | $7.99/month or $79.99/year | 4 | Yes | Yes (select titles) | No |
| HBO Max (with ads) | $9.99/month or $99.99/year | 3 | Yes | No | Yes |
| HBO Max (no ads) | $14.99/month or $149.99/year | 3 | Yes | Yes (select titles) | No |
| Prime Video | $8.99/month | 3 | Yes | Yes (select titles) | No |
As you can see, Paramount+ is very competitively priced, starting at just $4.99/month for its ad-supported Essential plan. Only Hulu and Prime Video offer lower entry points among top streaming services. The $9.99 Premium plan is also a strong value compared to ad-free plans from Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu.
In terms of features, Paramount+ falls short of Netflix and HBO Max‘s included 4K streaming but matches Hulu and Disney+ in most areas. The Premium plan‘s offline downloads and 3 simultaneous streams should suffice for most users. But for 4K and more streams, Netflix still leads the pack.
Of course, content is king in the streaming wars. Paramount+ boasts an impressive TV library anchored by its flagship Star Trek and Yellowstone franchises. It also offers a unique live sports lineup with NFL games, March Madness, and international soccer. But it trails rivals in terms of original hit series and new movie releases. Still, its low price makes it an enticing add-on service for many.
The Pros & Cons of Bundling Paramount+
Speaking of add-ons, is it better to subscribe to Paramount+ directly or through a streaming bundle like Prime Video Channels? Here are some factors to consider:
Pros of Bundling:
- Convenience of a single bill and user interface for multiple subscriptions
- Ability to easily add/drop subscriptions each month
- Potential discounts or extended free trials through bundles
Cons of Bundling:
- Higher prices than standalone plans (Paramount+ costs $1/month extra on Prime Video Channels)
- Less direct access to the Paramount+ app and some bonus features
- Auto-billing after free trials that can be easy to forget about
If you‘re someone who likes to routinely add and drop streaming services based on what you‘re watching, a bundle like Prime Video Channels could be a good fit. The Universal Search function also makes it easy to find Paramount+ content alongside your other subscriptions. But if you want the lowest price and full functionality of the Paramount+ app, subscribing directly is the way to go.
Is Paramount+ free with Amazon Prime?
The short answer is no – Paramount+ is a separate paid subscription and does not come included with Amazon Prime. However, Prime members can sign up for Paramount+ through Prime Video Channels and pay for the service through their Amazon account.
A standalone Paramount+ subscription starts at $4.99/month for the ad-supported Essential plan or $9.99/month for the ad-free Premium plan. Signing up through Prime Video Channels costs $1/month extra, so $5.99/month for Limited Commercials or $9.99/month for Commercial Free.
Compared to Amazon Prime:
- Amazon Prime membership costs $14.99/month or $139/year and includes free 2-day shipping, Prime Video, Amazon Music, and other perks
- Prime Video is Amazon‘s streaming service included with Prime, with a library of movies, shows, and originals like The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Thursday Night Football
- Paramount+ is a separate service from ViacomCBS that Prime members can add on but does not come free with their membership
So while there‘s crossover in that you can add and access Paramount+ through Amazon‘s Prime Video platform, the two services are distinct entities with separate subscription fees. A Prime membership can give you a lot of value with its many benefits, but Paramount+ will still cost you extra.
How to watch Paramount Plus on Amazon Prime Video
If you do decide to add Paramount+ to your Prime Video Channels, it‘s a very simple process:
- Log in to your Amazon account and navigate to the Prime Video section
- Select the "Channels" tab in the top menu
- Browse the available channels until you locate Paramount+ or search for it directly
- Choose between the Limited Commercials ($5.99/month) and Commercial Free ($9.99/month) plans
- Click through to the subscription page and activate your 7-day free trial
- Once subscribed, all the Paramount+ content will be accessible through the main Prime Video interface and apps
To access your new Paramount+ subscription through Prime Video:
- Search for a Paramount+ show or movie directly
- Browse the "Paramount+" Rail on the Prime Video homepage
- Filter search results by "Subscriptions: Paramount+"
- Download the Prime Video app on your device and log in with your Amazon account to access the Paramount+ content along with Prime Video
Essentially, once you add Paramount+ to your Prime Video Channels, all of that content gets integrated seamlessly into your Prime Video experience. You can explore Paramount+ titles right alongside Prime Video originals and other Prime content.
Keep in mind that if you subscribe through Prime Video, you won‘t get a standalone Paramount+ login to use on that platform‘s website and apps. You‘ll need to access the content through Prime Video. But for many Prime subscribers, that trade-off is worth the convenience of having their streaming services aggregated in one place.
The Bottom Line
While Paramount+ used to offer Prime members an extended 30-day free trial for signing up through Prime Video Channels, the standard 7-day free trial for new subscribers is now the norm. Beyond that, Paramount+ is not free with Amazon Prime and still requires a monthly subscription fee either way.
Whether it‘s worth adding Paramount+ to your streaming lineup will depend on your budget, viewing habits, and content preferences. If you‘re a fan of Star Trek, live sports, or classic CBS shows, the low $4.99 entry-level price is enticing. But if you‘re looking to cut costs, there are only a few must-watch Paramount+ originals that you couldn‘t just wait to binge once in a while.
As a Prime member, it‘s worth browsing the Paramount+ library through Prime Video Channels to see if the service‘s catalog appeals to you. The 7-day trial is also a great way to test it out without commitment. Just keep in mind the $1/month upcharge compared to subscribing directly.
Ultimately, there‘s no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing the best streaming services. With the average US consumer paying for 4 subscriptions, it‘s all about getting the most value and entertainment for your specific needs and budget.
The good news is there are more high-quality and affordable options than ever before as newcomers like Paramount+ join streaming heavyweights like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max. The key is to regularly assess your streaming portfolio to make sure you‘re not paying for services you don‘t actually use.
For Prime members, adding Paramount+ to your Prime Video Channels can be a convenient way to expand your on-demand library. But don‘t expect to get it for free with your Prime subscription. In the competitive streaming landscape, every major platform is looking to boost their subscriber numbers and original content offerings – and that comes at a premium price.
