Kiplinger Approved - Sponsored Offer
Paramount+ Slashes Prices — Should You Upgrade to Premium?
A rare promotion discounts both plans to $2.99, but the long-term cost matters more than the headline price.
Streaming deals tend to come and go, but every so often one stands out for how simple and steep the discount is.
Right now, Paramount+ is offering both its Essential and Premium plans for just $2.99 per month for two months. That's a significant drop from regular pricing and one of the few times the ad-free Premium tier is included in a promotion like this.
But as with most streaming deals, the real question isn't just how much you save upfront. It's whether the subscription still makes sense once the price resets.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
What the Paramount+ deal includes
The current promotion drops both subscription tiers to $2.99 per month for two months. It's available to new and returning subscribers, making it an easy entry point if you've been curious about the platform or recently canceled.
After the two-month promotional period ends, the subscription automatically renews at standard pricing unless you cancel.
Paramount+ has been steadily expanding its lineup, and the timing of this deal coincides with a mix of new releases and returning favorites.
Current highlights include newer series like The Madison and Marshals, the documentary The Pink Pill, and returning shows such as FBI True. Viewers can also catch ongoing episodes of NCIS and NCIS: Origins, along with movies like Rocketman and 21 Jump Street.
Paramount+ limited-time streaming offer
$2.99/month for the first 2 months.
Applies to both Essential (ad-supported) and Premium (ad-free) plans.
New and returning subscribers (no active subscription for at least one month). Ends March 31.
How much you actually save with the Paramount+ deal
At first glance, $2.99 per month sounds like a small expense, but compared to regular pricing, the savings are noticeable.
Essential plan (ad-supported):
- Regular price: $8.99/month
- Promo price: $2.99/month
- Savings: $6 per month, or $12 over two months
Premium plan (ad-free):
- Regular price: $13.99/month
- Promo price: $2.99/month
- Savings: $11 per month, or $22 over two months
Because both plans are priced the same during the promotion, the Premium tier delivers the biggest short-term value.
Why this deal stands out right now
Streaming prices have been creeping up across the board, and Paramount+ itself raised prices earlier in 2026. That makes this promotion more notable than it might have been a year ago.
It's also rare to see the Premium (ad-free) plan discounted this heavily, especially to the same price as the ad-supported tier. For viewers who typically avoid ads or want access to additional features, this creates a low-risk opportunity to try the higher-tier plan.
For sports fans and seasonal viewers, the deal can also be a strategic way to access content for a short window without committing long-term.
That can be especially useful if you are planning to follow events like March Madness (March 17 to April 6), early MLB coverage leading into Opening Day (March 26) and the NBA playoff push. Get more details on upcoming sports and how to watch for less in our live sports deal guide.
Essential vs. Premium: which plan makes more sense?
Choosing between the two plans depends on how you plan to use the service, especially after the promotional period ends.
The Essential plan is the lower-cost option long term, but it includes ads and doesn't offer Showtime content or live CBS streaming.
The Premium plan removes most ads, includes Showtime programming, allows downloads for offline viewing and offers access to live CBS in many markets.
During the two-month promotion, the Premium plan is the clear winner on value since it costs the same as Essential. The decision becomes more important if you plan to keep the subscription once the price returns to normal.
The catch to watch for
As with most streaming promotions, the biggest drawback comes after the introductory price expires.
Once the two-month period ends, your plan will automatically renew at the standard monthly rate of $8.99 for Essential or $13.99 for Premium. If you're only interested in the deal, you'll need to set a reminder to cancel before the renewal date.
That said, for viewers willing to treat it as a short-term subscription, this promotion offers a relatively low-cost way to explore Paramount+'s catalog, or catch up on a few specific shows without a long-term commitment.
This Paramount+ deal is less about locking in long-term savings and more about timing. If you've been meaning to watch a handful of shows or want to test out the Premium tier, paying $2.99 per month for two months is a low-cost way to do it.
Related Content:
Join over half a million readers using Kiplinger's insights to make smart financial decisions. Profit and prosper with our expert guidance on investing, taxes and retirement, and more. Delivered daily.
Choncé is a personal finance freelance writer who enjoys writing about eCommerce, savings, banking, credit cards, and insurance. Having a background in journalism, she decided to dive deep into the world of content writing in 2013 after noticing many publications transitioning to digital formats. She has more than 10 years of experience writing content and graduated from Northern Illinois University.
-
Visible vs. Verizon: Could switching save you money? 3 things to considerVisible could lower your monthly phone bill while keeping you on Verizon's network. Compare prices, data, coverage, perks and more.
-
Dow Falls 631 Points After Fed Hikes Rates: Stock Market TodayStocks were mixed but steady until Fed Chair Kevin Warsh started talking about today's rate hike and what comes next.
-
How to Strategize Your Social Security BenefitsClaiming Social Security too early or too late can impact your entire financial picture in retirement. It pays to carry out a proper analysis before you commit.
-
Should You Switch From Verizon to Visible? Here's What You Could SaveVisible could lower your monthly phone bill while keeping you on Verizon's network. Compare prices, data, coverage, perks and more.
-
5 Financial Traps You Don't Realize You're inThese common financial traps will drain your budget and erode your wealth-building capabilities.
-
'Don't Dwell on the Past': A Quick Guide to Recovering From Financial SetbacksIt takes courage to accept financial problems and identify what's wrong. The good news? You don't have to solve everything overnight, and you can start small.
-
5 Fall Trips That Are Even Better After You RetireTravel Take advantage of retirement’s flexibility with these five fall getaways offering beautiful scenery, great food, history and fewer summer crowds.
-
My First $1 Million: Retired COO, 75, Northwest Arkansas"It is hard to deny yourself and family something you want when the money is there to have it, to convince them that the sacrifice is worth it in the long run."
-
Where to Put Inherited Money: What to Do After You Receive a Lump SumReceiving an inheritance can change your financial picture overnight. Before you spend or invest it, here's how to decide where the money should go.
-
Got Your Dream Job Abroad? What to Know About Your Paycheck Before You Make the MoveIf you're going to work for a U.S. company abroad, establish your employment structure and payroll plan before you move to avoid tax and cash-flow headaches.
-
Why the Navy Federal Flagship Premier Visa Signature® Credit Card Might Be Your New Favorite Travel CardIf you're looking for a new travel credit card with a simple rewards structure, Navy Federal's new card could be the right fit. Discover its perks and trade-offs.
