Paramount+ Raising Subscription Prices in 2026 Amid New Content Investments

Los Angeles, CA – Paramount+ announced plans to increase subscription prices in the U.S. starting January 15, 2026, as part of its strategy to boost content investments. The company revealed that the Paramount+ Essential plan will rise by $1 to $8.99 per month, while the Premium plan will also increase by $1 to $13.99 per month.

David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance, stated in a letter to shareholders that these increases aim to enhance the overall user experience and offer a better selection of programming. ‘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,’ he said.

Annual subscriptions will also see price hikes, with the Essential plan moving to $89.99 per year and the Premium plan rising to $139.99. These adjustments follow recent announcements of price increases in Canada and Australia, indicating a broader trend across markets.

In addition to the price adjustments, Paramount+ is phasing out free trials for new subscribers. Previously, the service allowed a week-long free trial, but the specifics of the new policy have not yet been disclosed.

The company highlighted recent deals, including a significant partnership with TKO Holdings, the parent company of UFC, making Paramount+ the exclusive streaming location for UFC events in the U.S. This partnership is part of a larger strategy to invest over $1.5 billion in programming in 2026, which includes original content and licensing third-party catalogs.

During the third quarter of 2025, Paramount+ gained 1.4 million new subscribers, bringing its total to 79.1 million. Despite these gains, Paramount reported a total loss of $257 million for the quarter, underscoring the challenges facing the streaming industry.

Ellison’s letter mentioned that the company expects this content-focused approach to create long-term value and sustain competitive pricing in the streaming market, even with the upcoming increases.