Does Paramount+ Have Ads? Essential vs. Premium Prices and How to Get Paramount+ With DIRECTV
Short answer: yes, Paramount+ has ads, but how many depends on your plan. The cheaper Paramount+ Essential plan ($8.99 a month) plays commercials. Paramount+ Premium ($13.99 a month) removes ads from on-demand shows and movies, but live TV still has commercials, including your local CBS station and live sports. Paramount also says both plans include trailers and sponsorships.
Below are current prices, what Premium does and doesn't remove, and how DIRECTV customers can get Paramount+, sometimes without paying anything extra.
Paramount+ plans and prices (October 2026)
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ Essential | $8.99/mo. | $89.99/yr. (about $7.50/mo.) | Yes, ad-supported |
| Paramount+ Premium | $13.99/mo. | $139.99/yr. (about $11.67/mo.) | No ads on demand; live TV has ads |
Prices are before taxes. Both plans went up $1 a month on January 15, 2026, from $7.99 and $12.99. Annual plans rose more: Essential went from $59.99 to $89.99 a year, and Premium went from $119.99 to $139.99.
Where you'll still see ads with Premium
Premium is best described as ad-free on demand, not commercial-free. You'll still see ads in these places:
- Live TV. Your local CBS station streams just like broadcast TV, commercials included. That means live NFL on CBS games, UFC main cards on CBS and live news.
- Live channels. Streams like CBS News 24/7 and CBS Sports HQ are live TV, which Paramount says has ads.
- Trailers and sponsorships. Paramount's plan terms say both plans include "trailers & sponsorship (or similar)," so you may see a promo before a show starts.
If you mostly binge series like Landman or the NCIS shows on demand, Premium will feel ad-free. If you mostly watch live sports on Paramount+, you'll see commercials on either plan.
Essential vs. Premium: what else is different?
| Feature | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Ads on shows and movies | Yes | No |
| Your local live CBS station | No | Yes |
| NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League | Yes, via separate live feeds | Yes, plus your live CBS station |
| UFC and Zuffa Boxing | Yes | Yes |
| SHOWTIME | Select series | All of SHOWTIME |
| Downloads for offline viewing | No | Yes |
| 4K UHD, Dolby Vision or HDR10 | No | Select titles |
| Streams at once | 3 | 3 |
Both plans include more than 40,000 episodes and movies, Paramount+ originals, up to six profiles, and CBS News 24/7, CBS Sports HQ and about 20 other live channels.
Is Premium worth $5 more?
For many people, yes. For $5 more a month ($60 a year on monthly billing, or $50 on annual plans), you get no ads on demand, all of SHOWTIME, downloads and your live local CBS station. Essential makes sense if you don't mind ads, already get CBS some other way and mostly want Paramount+ originals and next-day CBS shows.
DIRECTV customers should do the math a little differently, though. If you're paying for a TV package, you already have CBS live on your receiver, and you may be able to get Premium through DIRECTV for the same price (or already have it).
How DIRECTV customers get Paramount+
DIRECTV's Paramount+ option is the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME premium channel, and that subscription includes the Paramount+ Premium plan in the Paramount+ app at no extra charge.
| Your DIRECTV plan | Paramount+ option | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| PREMIER (or LO MAXIMO) | Included | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME channels from 545, On Demand and the Paramount+ Premium plan in the app |
| ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE or ULTIMATE | Add-on, regularly $13.99/mo. | Same: the channels, SHOWTIME On Demand and Paramount+ Premium in the app |
| MyEntertainment Genre Pack | Not included | Paramount-owned channels like Paramount Network, MTV, Comedy Central and BET; its included streaming is Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max Basic With Ads |
The $13.99 DIRECTV add-on is the same price as Paramount+ Premium bought directly. Through DIRECTV, you also get the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME channels on your receiver, including SHOWTIME East and West feeds and multiplex channels like The Movie Channel and Flix. Everything comes on one DIRECTV bill. New customers are sometimes offered premium channels free for the first few months, so ask about current offers before you sign up.
Want to know if your package already includes it? Call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll check.
How to add and activate Paramount+ with DIRECTV
To add it: sign in at directv.com or in the DIRECTV app, go to Manage My TV Package, and choose Paramount+ with SHOWTIME from the premium channels. You can also tune to the channel in your guide and follow the prompts, or call DIRECTV.
To unlock the Paramount+ app:
- On a computer or phone browser, go to paramountplus.com/link and choose DIRECTV as your provider.
- Sign in with your DIRECTV user ID and password.
- Create your Paramount+ account (or sign in if you've had one before).
- Sign in to the Paramount+ app on your TV, streaming device or phone with that Paramount+ email and password.
Provider linking only works on desktop or mobile web, not inside a TV app. If you already pay Paramount+ directly, cancel it first. Then either link with a different email address for immediate access, or wait until your paid billing period ends and link with the same email.
Do you need Paramount+ to watch CBS on DIRECTV?
No. Your local CBS station is part of your DIRECTV package where local channels are available, and the channel number depends on your market. Find yours in our guide to what channel CBS is in your area. Paramount+ is for streaming: Essential has CBS shows on demand the day after they air, and Premium adds the live CBS feed in the app.
CBS has a busy week ahead. UFC 332 has its main card live on CBS Saturday, October 3, at 8 p.m. ET, with prelims on Paramount+. Chiefs vs. Raiders airs on CBS Sunday, October 4, at 4:25 p.m. ET in many markets. NCIS: New York premieres Tuesday, October 6, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. If Paramount+ with SHOWTIME is missing from your lineup, see Paramount Plus missing on DIRECTV.
Paramount's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to close October 6. Paramount+ and HBO Max are slated to combine eventually, but no name, price or date has been announced. Our Paramount-WBD merger guide explains what it means for viewers.
Ready to add Paramount+ with SHOWTIME or move up to PREMIER? Compare DIRECTV packages at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
Does Paramount+ have ads?
Paramount+ Essential has ads. Paramount+ Premium has no ads on on-demand shows and movies, but live TV, including your local CBS station, still has commercials, and both plans can show trailers and sponsorships.
How much is Paramount+ without ads?
Paramount+ Premium costs $13.99 a month or $139.99 a year, plus tax. Essential, with ads, is $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year.
Is Paramount+ included with DIRECTV?
It's included with the PREMIER package as part of Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. With ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE or ULTIMATE, you can add Paramount+ with SHOWTIME for $13.99 a month, and it includes the Paramount+ Premium plan in the app.
What channel is Paramount+ with SHOWTIME on DIRECTV?
The Paramount+ with SHOWTIME channels start at channel 545.
Does Paramount+ Essential include live CBS?
No. Essential doesn't include your local live CBS station, though it carries NFL on CBS games and UEFA Champions League through separate live feeds. Premium includes live local CBS.
How do I link Paramount+ to my DIRECTV account?
Go to paramountplus.com/link in a computer or phone browser, choose DIRECTV, sign in with your DIRECTV login, and create or sign in to your Paramount+ account.
Questions about Paramount+ or CBS on your DIRECTV plan? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 2, 2026. Paramount+ prices exclude taxes and are set by Paramount; plans, features, ads and content may change. DIRECTV packages, add-ons, channel numbers and prices vary by account and market and may change. Paramount+, SHOWTIME, CBS, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.