Paramount Plus is a popular streaming service offering a vast selection of TV shows, movies, and live broadcasts. Like many streaming platforms, it offers different subscription plans, each catering to different viewing preferences. One key aspect that varies between these plans is the presence of commercials. For many users, commercials can interrupt the immersive experience of watching their favorite shows, but it’s important to understand why they exist and how to avoid them.
Paramount Plus Subscription Plans: Essential and Premium
Paramount Plus offers two main subscription tiers:
- Paramount Plus Essential – This is the more affordable plan, ranging from $5.99 to $7.99 per month, depending on the promotional offer or subscription length. The catch? It includes commercials. Users will experience pre-roll ads before content starts and sometimes pop-up ads when pausing the video.
- Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME – This is the premium plan, priced at $11.99–$12.99 per month. It offers a mostly ad-free experience, with some exceptions like live TV (e.g., CBS sports or news), which still carries ads as part of the broadcast. Occasionally, there might be brief promos for Paramount content before select shows.
Understanding the nature of these ads is important for subscribers trying to choose the best plan for their needs. If you’re willing to pay a little extra, upgrading to the premium plan can provide an almost ad-free experience, but some ads are unavoidable in live content.
Why Does Paramount Plus Have Commercials?
Commercials on streaming platforms like Paramount Plus aren’t just random interruptions—they play a vital role in keeping subscription costs lower. Paramount Plus, like many other services, uses a two-tier pricing model: a more affordable ad-supported plan (Essential) and a premium, mostly ad-free plan (Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME). But why do these ads exist in the first place?
The Role of Ad Revenue
The Paramount Plus Essential plan relies on ad revenue to offset the lower subscription price. In a world where streaming competition is fierce, offering a cheaper plan with commercials allows Paramount Plus to attract more budget-conscious viewers. These ads ensure that users can access a broad library of content while keeping the monthly fee as low as $5.99.
Live TV and Advertisements
Even on the premium plan, which is mostly ad-free, commercials are still present during live broadcasts. Whether you’re watching live sports, news, or major events on CBS, these ads are part of the original broadcast and cannot be removed. Since these broadcasts come directly from live TV networks, the ads are part of the overall experience, regardless of your subscription plan.
Promotional Content
In some cases, Paramount Plus also includes short promotional clips, even for premium users. These aren’t traditional ads but rather brief promotions for other Paramount content, helping the platform showcase upcoming shows or movies that might interest viewers. These promos are usually much shorter than standard commercials and occur less frequently.
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Does Paramount Plus Essential Have Commercials?
Yes, the Paramount Plus Essential plan does have commercials. This plan, priced at $5.99–$7.99 per month, is the more budget-friendly option, but it includes various types of ads throughout your viewing experience.
Types of Ads on the Essential Plan
Subscribers to the Essential plan will encounter two main types of ads:
- Pre-Roll Ads: These are ads that play before your selected content begins. Just like on traditional TV, you’ll have to sit through these short commercials before watching a movie, TV show, or series.
- Pop-Up Ads: When pausing a video, you might also encounter pop-up ads. These ads appear while your content is on hold and can sometimes disrupt the flow of watching, especially for those who like to pause frequently.
Commercial Frequency
The frequency of ads on the Essential plan can vary, but generally, it mirrors the ad breaks found in traditional TV. For those who watch a lot of content, these frequent interruptions can become frustrating over time. Many users choose the Essential plan to save money, but the presence of commercials might reduce the overall viewing experience.
The Paramount Plus Essential plan may be cost-effective, but if commercials hinder your enjoyment, it might be worth considering the upgrade to a premium ad-free option.
How to Remove Commercials on Paramount Plus
For those who find the frequent interruptions of commercials on Paramount Plus frustrating, there are options to enjoy an ad-free experience. While the Paramount Plus Essential plan includes ads, upgrading to the Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME plan is the most straightforward solution. Let’s explore how you can remove or minimize commercials and enjoy seamless streaming.
1. Upgrade to Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME (Ad-Free Option)
The most effective way to remove commercials is by upgrading to the Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME plan. This premium option costs $11.99–$12.99 per month and offers an ad-free experience for most on-demand content. However, it’s important to note that while this plan eliminates ads for most shows and movies, there are still some exceptions:
- Live TV: Ads are unavoidable during live broadcasts, such as CBS news or sports, as they are part of the live streaming feed.
- Promotional Clips: Some shows may feature short promos for other Paramount content before the main content begins, but these are brief and not as intrusive as traditional commercials.
This ad-free plan also comes with additional perks like access to SHOWTIME content and the ability to download shows and movies for offline viewing.
2. Using Ad Blockers (Not Recommended)
While some tech-savvy users may consider using ad-blocking software or browser extensions to block commercials, it’s important to note that this method violates the Paramount Plus terms of service. Popular ad blockers like uBlock Origin or VPNs with built-in ad-blocking features might help you bypass ads, but these methods can result in unpredictable streaming experiences or even account suspension.
3. Third-Party Apps and Download Options (Not Recommended)
Some users may attempt to use third-party apps like KeepStreams to download content for offline viewing without ads. However, like ad-blockers, this method is also against the platform’s policies. While these apps might let you watch without commercials, they come with risks, including potential security concerns and violations of Paramount Plus’s terms of service.
Is the Paramount Plus Ad-Free Plan Worth It?
Deciding whether to upgrade to the Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME plan depends on how much you value an uninterrupted viewing experience and how often you watch content on the platform. Let’s explore whether the extra cost is justified for your needs.
1. Pricing Breakdown
- Paramount Plus Essential: $5.99–$7.99 per month with ads.
- Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME: $11.99–$12.99 per month, mostly ad-free.
At first glance, upgrading to the ad-free plan costs a few dollars more each month, but if you watch Paramount Plus frequently, those savings in time and frustration might be worth the price difference. Annual plans also offer savings: $59.99 for the Essential plan vs. $119.99 for the ad-free version with SHOWTIME.
2. Benefits of the Ad-Free Plan
- Fewer Interruptions: If you enjoy binge-watching series or movies, having no ads can enhance your overall experience by keeping you immersed in the content.
- Access to SHOWTIME Content: The ad-free plan includes additional premium content from SHOWTIME, which broadens your viewing library.
- Download Content for Offline Viewing: With the Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME plan, you can download shows and movies to watch offline, perfect for long trips or areas with weak internet connections.
3. Limitations of the Ad-Free Plan
Even with the ad-free plan, it’s essential to know that some ads are unavoidable:
- Live TV Ads: Commercials during live broadcasts (such as CBS sports or news) will still be present because they are part of the original TV feed.
- Promos for Paramount Content: Occasionally, you may see short promotional clips for Paramount Plus content before your show or movie starts, although these are much shorter than regular ads.
Who Should Consider the Upgrade?
- Frequent Viewers: If you use Paramount Plus regularly and find the interruptions from ads frustrating, the extra cost may be a worthwhile investment.
- Showtime Fans: The inclusion of SHOWTIME content in the premium plan adds value, giving you access to even more exclusive series and movies.
- Travelers or Offline Viewers: The ability to download content for offline viewing is a significant benefit for those who often travel or have limited internet access.
Who Might Stick with the Essential Plan?
- Casual Viewers: If you only watch a few shows or movies occasionally, the Essential plan’s ads might not be as bothersome, and the lower monthly price could be more appealing.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking to minimize monthly streaming costs might find the Essential plan’s value better suits their financial goals, even with ads.
Is the Paramount Plus Ad-Free Plan Worth It?
Deciding between the Paramount Plus Essential plan and the Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME plan depends on your viewing habits and tolerance for commercials. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Feature | Paramount Plus Essential (with ads) | Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME (ad-free) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $5.99–$7.99 | $11.99–$12.99 |
| Annual Cost | $59.99 | $119.99 |
| Ad-Free Viewing | No | Yes (except live TV and promos) |
| Ads During Live TV | Yes | Yes |
| Promotional Clips | Yes | Occasional (short promos) |
| Offline Viewing (Downloads) | No | Yes |
| SHOWTIME Content Access | No | Yes |
Benefits of the Ad-Free Plan
- Fewer Interruptions: Enjoy an uninterrupted viewing experience for most on-demand content.
- Exclusive Content: Access to SHOWTIME shows and movies.
- Offline Viewing: Download content for viewing without an internet connection.
Who Should Upgrade?
- Frequent Viewers: Binge-watchers who want a seamless experience.
- SHOWTIME Fans: Those who want access to SHOWTIME’s premium content.
- Offline Users: Travelers or people in areas with spotty internet who need to download shows and movies.
Who Might Stick with the Essential Plan?
- Occasional Viewers: Casual users who don’t mind some commercials.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Viewers looking to save money while still enjoying a broad content library.
Additional Tips for Reducing Ads (If the Premium Plan Is Too Expensive)
For users who want to minimize the impact of commercials but find the Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME plan too costly, there are a few alternative methods to reduce ad disruptions. However, it’s important to note that many of these methods may violate Paramount Plus’s terms of service, so they come with potential risks.
1. Use a VPN with Ad-Blocking Features
Some Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) offer built-in ad-blocking features. These VPNs, like NordVPN and Surfshark, are designed to block ads while keeping your internet connection private. Although this might sound like an easy fix, using a VPN in this way can lead to slower streaming speeds and may interfere with the playback experience. More importantly, this method may violate Paramount Plus’s terms of service, and the platform could restrict access if such practices are detected.
2. Use Standalone Ad Blockers
Standalone ad blockers, such as uBlock Origin, AdGuard, or Ghostery, are commonly used on browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge to block ads. These can be an effective, free option to minimize ad interruptions while watching Paramount Plus. However, ad blockers are generally designed for browser-based streaming, which means they might not work as well (or at all) on the Paramount Plus app for mobile devices or smart TVs.
3. Download Content with Third-Party Apps (Not Recommended)
Some apps, such as KeepStreams, allow users to download Paramount Plus content and watch it offline without ads. While this might seem like a convenient workaround, it comes with significant risks:
- Violation of Terms of Service: Using third-party apps to download content from streaming platforms like Paramount Plus violates their terms, which can lead to account suspension or other penalties.
- Security Risks: Downloading content through unofficial apps can expose users to malware or compromised files.
4. Shorten Ads by Pausing at Strategic Times
A low-tech, but effective, option is to pause content just before the ads start. Some users have found that by pausing the show right before the ad break begins, it shortens the length of the upcoming commercial. This method doesn’t eliminate ads but can sometimes reduce their impact.
Proceed With Caution
While these alternative methods may provide some relief from commercials, it’s important to proceed with caution. Paramount Plus has policies in place that could limit access if it detects the use of ad blockers, VPNs, or third-party apps. Always consider the potential risks before attempting to block ads outside of the official methods provided by the platform.
Conclusion
Deciding between Paramount Plus’s ad-supported and ad-free plans ultimately depends on your viewing habits and tolerance for commercials. The Paramount Plus Essential plan is a great choice for budget-conscious users who don’t mind occasional ad breaks, while the Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME plan offers an almost uninterrupted viewing experience for a slightly higher price.
For those who value an ad-free experience and regularly watch live TV or premium content, the upgrade may be worth the extra cost. However, if commercials don’t bother you, or if you’re looking to keep monthly expenses low, the Essential plan provides access to a massive library of content at an affordable price.
While there are alternative methods to block or reduce ads using VPNs or ad blockers, it’s important to remember that these can violate Paramount Plus’s terms of service and come with risks. Ultimately, choosing the right plan depends on your preferences for convenience, budget, and how much an uninterrupted viewing experience matters to you.
