Paramount+ Plans U.S. Price Increase for January 2026
Paramount+, owned by David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance, plans to increase its subscription prices in the United States starting January 15, 2026. This move follows the company’s report of Q3 2025 results, which revealed ongoing investments aimed at enhancing consumer value.
Upcoming Price Increase Details
The price changes for Paramount+ will affect both its Essential and Premium plans:
- Paramount+ Essential (ad-supported): Increase from $7.99 to $8.99 per month.
- Paramount+ Premium (ad-free): Increase from $12.99 to $13.99 per month.
- Annual plans:
- Essential plan: $79.99 to $89.99 per year.
- Premium plan: $139.99 per year.
Additional Context on Price Increases
The company recently announced similar price hikes in Canada and Australia. These price adjustments are said to support continued investment in user experience and programming.
Strategic Investments and Programming
Paramount+ is making significant strategic moves in content creation. Notably, the company entered a substantial agreement with UFC, valued at $7.7 billion, granting Paramount+ exclusive rights to UFC events. Additionally, a five-year deal with “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker is reported to be worth $1.5 billion, with “South Park” acting as a major driver for new subscribers this past quarter.
The platform continues to offer a competitive range of content. Subscribers have access to exclusive sports programming, original series such as “Landman” and “Tulsa King,” and popular franchises like “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible.”
Performance Metrics
As of September 2025, Paramount+ boasts 79.1 million subscribers, marking an increase from 77.7 million in Q2 of the same year. The direct-to-consumer (DTC) segment reported a revenue increase of 17% year-over-year, hitting $2.17 billion, with Paramount+ revenue specifically rising by 24% to $1.04 billion.
Operational Adjustments
In light of the planned price increases, Paramount+ will adjust how it reports subscriber numbers. Beginning in Q4 2025, only paid subscribers will be included in reported figures, excluding those on free trials. Currently, free trial subscribers number approximately 1.2 million.
Despite the price hikes, Ellison asserts that Paramount+ will still rank among the most affordably priced streaming services in the United States, ensuring continued growth and investment in high-quality content.
