Paramount+

Paramount+ offers two primary subscription tiers, with the key differentiator being the presence of advertisements. The essential plan is Paramount+ Essential, which costs $5.99 per month. This plan includes a vast library of on-demand content, including current seasons of CBS shows, but streams with commercial interruptions. For an ad-free experience, you would select Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, priced at $11.99 per month. This tier removes ads from on-demand content and includes everything in the Paramount+ library plus the entire SHOWTIME streaming library, featuring original series, movies, and sports. This higher tier also includes your local live CBS feed, which is a significant benefit for news and live events.

No, Paramount+ is not included for free with an Amazon Prime membership. This is a common point of confusion. While you can subscribe to Paramount+ through Amazon's Prime Video Channels platform, this is a paid add-on that charges your Amazon account the full monthly Paramount+ fee on top of your existing Prime cost. The two services operate under separate subscription models. Amazon Prime offers its own suite of benefits, but it does not cover the cost of a Paramount+ subscription. Any access to Paramount+ through Amazon is a billing and viewing convenience, not a bundled perk. You are essentially using Amazon as a portal to a service you pay for separately.

No, you cannot get live streams or on-demand libraries for ABC and NBC on Paramount+. Paramount+ is the streaming home for content from its parent company, Paramount Global. This means its primary live broadcast network is CBS. You will get a live feed of your local CBS station and next-day access to current CBS shows like "NCIS" "The Amazing Race" and "60 Minutes". ABC is owned by Disney and is primarily found on Hulu and Disney's streaming services, while NBC is owned by Comcast and is a cornerstone of Peacock. Paramount+ does not have the rights to stream content from these competing networks.

The absolute cheapest way to get Paramount+ is to subscribe to the Paramount+ Essential plan at $5.99 per month. This is the base tier that provides full access to the on-demand library, including new episodes of CBS shows the day after they air, but with commercial interruptions. There is no official plan that costs less than this for a standard subscription. For those who prefer an annual commitment, the $59.99 yearly payment for the Essential plan brings the effective monthly cost down to about $5.00, representing the lowest possible ongoing cost for direct access to the service.

No, BET+ is not included within a Paramount+ subscription. They are separate, standalone streaming services from the same parent company, Paramount Global. While Paramount+ offers some content from BET, the full, extensive library of BET+ originals, movies, and series is exclusive to the BET+ service. You would need to subscribe to both separately if you want access to both platforms' complete content.

HBO Max has this incredible lineup that feels like it was curated just for me. I mean, where else can you binge 'Succession' one night and then switch to 'The Last of Us' the next? The variety is insane—classic HBO dramas like 'The Sopranos' and 'The Wire' sit alongside newer hits like 'Euphoria' and 'House of the Dragon'. And let’s not forget the Max Originals—shows like 'Hacks' and 'The Staircase' are absolute gems. I’ve lost count of how many weekends I’ve spent glued to the screen, flipping between 'Barry' and 'Peacemaker'. It’s like they know exactly what mood I’m in before I do.

Then there’s the non-HBO stuff that rounds out the library. Warner Bros. films drop on there pretty quickly after theaters, and the Studio Ghibli collection is a cozy escape when I need something lighter. The DC Universe content is a nice touch too—rewatching 'The Batman' or diving into 'Doom Patrol' feels like a bonus. Honestly, the sheer volume of quality content makes the subscription feel like a steal. I’ve even gotten into some of the TCM classics they’ve added, which I never expected to love as much as I do.

I get a little excited whenever someone asks about streaming trials because I’ve chased freebies for weekend binges more than I care to admit. Short story: most of the time, yes — you can watch 'Young Sheldon' during a Paramount+ free trial if you’re eligible. Historically Paramount+ has offered a trial (often seven days) for new subscribers in many regions, and that trial typically unlocks the same library that paying subscribers see, so 'Young Sheldon' is included. That means you can catch a few episodes without paying right away.

Keep in mind the fine print: trials are usually for new accounts only, promotions change, and availability depends on your country and how you sign up. If you subscribe through a third-party store like Apple, Amazon, or a cable bundle, the trial terms can differ or not exist. Also remember to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to be billed automatically. Honestly, I’ve had great late-night laughs watching 'Young Sheldon' during a trial — it’s a pleasant little slice of sitcom comfort.

HBO Max has this fantastic library that I'm always raving about to my friends. For legal streaming, you've got the official HBO Max app, obviously—it's available on pretty much every platform: smart TVs, gaming consoles, mobile devices, you name it. But if you're like me and occasionally hunt for older shows that might've rotated out, some titles pop up on other services like Hulu (with the HBO add-on) or even Amazon Prime Video through their channel subscriptions.

One thing I've noticed is regional availability can be tricky. If you're outside the U.S., you might need a VPN or rely on local partners like Sky in parts of Europe. Just a heads-up: the recent rebranding to 'Max' might cause some confusion, but all the content’s still there, just with a fresh coat of paint and a few extra Discovery+ goodies mixed in.

MGM+ offers a wide range of movies across various genres, including classics, action films, comedies, and more. Some notable titles include iconic films like The Naked Gun and A Working, as well as a growing collection of original movies. You’ll find both older classics and newer releases, all available to stream ad-free.