Paramount+ Price Increase 2026: Your Essential Guide to Upcoming Changes

Streaming costs are on the rise again, and Paramount+ is the latest major player to announce an adjustment. Effective early 2026, subscribers in the U.S. will see their monthly and annual fees increase. This move comes as Paramount Skydance, under David Ellison’s leadership, commits to significant new content investments, aiming to enhance the value delivered to its growing audience.

If you’re a fan of exclusive series like Landman and Tulsa King, blockbuster films, live sports including the NFL and UEFA Champions League, or franchises such as Star Trek and South Park, it’s time to understand how these changes will impact your wallet. Let’s dive into the specifics of the Paramount+ price increase 2026 and the exciting reasons behind it.

Understanding the New Paramount+ Pricing for 2026

Mark your calendars: the new pricing for Paramount+ in the U.S. will take effect on January 15, 2026. Both the ad-supported Essential plan and the ad-free Premium plan will see a modest bump in their subscription costs.

Revised Monthly Plans:

Paramount+ Essential (ad-supported): Increases by $1 to $8.99 per month.
Paramount+ Premium (ad-free): Increases by $1 to $13.99 per month.

Revised Annual Plans:

Paramount+ Essential (ad-supported): Increases to $89.99 per year.
Paramount+ Premium (ad-free): Increases to $139.99 per year.

These adjustments follow previous price hikes in August 2024 and are part of a broader strategy, with similar increases also announced for Canada and Australia. Despite these changes, Paramount Skydance maintains that Paramount+ will remain a highly competitive option within the crowded U.S. streaming market.

Why the Price Hike? Investing in Premium Content and User Experience

The core reason behind the Paramount+ price increase 2026 is a robust commitment to reinvestment in content and user experience. Following Skydance Media’s recent $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global, the company is poised to make substantial incremental programming investments, totaling over $1.5 billion in 2026 alone.

These investments are designed to bring even more high-quality entertainment and live events directly to subscribers. Key areas of focus include:

Major Sports Deals: A landmark seven-year, $7.7 billion deal makes Paramount+ the exclusive U.S. rightsholder for UFC events, significantly boosting its live sports offering.
Exclusive Series and Films: Continued investment in Paramount+ Originals and a ramp-up of its film slate to 15 movies annually, featuring titles like Mission: Impossible and The Naked Gun.
Iconic Franchises: Leveraging existing popular content such as Star Trek and a massive five-year, $1.5 billion exclusive deal with the co-creators of South Park. Notably, South Park was a top subscriber-acquisition driver in Q3 2025.
CBS Hits: Retaining popular CBS shows like Tracker and Survivor to complement its diverse library.

Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance, emphasized in his Q3 letter to shareholders that these changes will “fuel continued reinvestment in the user experience and deliver an even stronger slate of programming for our customers in the year ahead and beyond.”

Paramount+’s Growth Trajectory and Future Outlook

Paramount+ has demonstrated significant growth, ending September 2025 with an impressive 79.1 million subscribers, up from 77.7 million just three months prior. The direct-to-consumer business saw a 17% year-over-year revenue increase in Q3 2025, reaching $2.17 billion, with Paramount+ revenue alone climbing 24% to $1.04 billion.

These strong financial results provide the foundation for the ambitious content strategy. With the integration of Skydance and a clear focus on premium programming, Paramount+ aims to solidify its position as a must-have streaming service.

For more insights into the evolving streaming landscape and financial trends, you might find reports from industry analysts insightful. Learn more about streaming market trends (external link).

What This Means for You

While a Paramount+ subscription cost increase is never ideal, the company is positioning it as a necessary step to continue delivering high-quality, exclusive content and an enhanced viewing experience. As a subscriber, you can anticipate an even richer library of entertainment and live events in the years to come.

Consider whether the expanded programming, especially the exclusive UFC events and increased film slate, justifies the new pricing for your household. Staying informed about these changes helps you make the best decisions for your entertainment budget.