In early 2021, ViacomCBS rebranded its popular CBS All Access service, including giving it a new name: Paramount+. The newly-named Paramount+ did more than get a new logo, however. ViacomCBS massively boosted the size of the on-demand content library by adding more original content, content owned by Viacom (before it merged with CBS), and movies produced under the Paramount Pictures brand name. Keep reading to learn more about what the Paramount+ on-demand library looks like in 2021 thanks to the latest updates to the streaming service.
How Much Content Is Available On-Demand from Paramount+?
According to ViacomCBS, the newest iteration of its on-demand/live TV streaming hybrid offers over 30,000 TV episodes and over 2,500 movies. For comparison’s sake, before the revamp, the CBS All Access version of this streaming service had 10,000 TV episodes. That’s a 200% increase between 2020 and 2021. As a result of the upgrade, it now exceeds the Disney+ content library (which has fewer than 8,000 TV show episodes and 500 movies). Its library size is now equivalent to Hulu on-demand, one of its primary competitors for subscribers.
What Kind of Content Can I Expect From the Paramount+ Library?
The Paramount+ content library can be split into two big categories:
- Original content
- Channel-branded content
The service is rapidly expanding its original content. As for channel-branded content, the Paramount+ revamp in 2021 added new channels’ shows to the library, expanding it beyond just shows produced for the CBS brand.
Paramount+ Original Content
As of this time of writing, Paramount Plus has over 30 original programs, many of which were produced under the CBS All Access brand. The service has a long list of upcoming programs in the works, as well. Its current list of planned exclusive original content will bring this category to nearly over 100 programs. And that’s not including any programs that ViacomCBS has yet to announce, which is likely long. Simply put, the company is attempting to give its competitors a run for their money with its original content production.
We won’t give you the entire original content list, but some of the most exclusive original content you can watch on Paramount+ right now includes:
- Star Trek: Discovery
- Star Trek: Picard
- Star Trek: Lower Decks
- The Stand
- Why Women Kill
- The Good Fight
- Paranormal Activity 7
- The Twilight Zone
You can find its exclusive originals in the app by going to Search > Originals.
Paramount+ channel-branded content
The biggest difference between the former CBS All Access and the new Paramount+ version of the streaming service is the addition of channel-branded content. After the Viacom/CBS merger, the streaming service now offers TV shows and moves from the following channels:
- CBS
- BET
- Comedy Central
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- Smithsonian Channel
Note that you won’t get all of the content that would normally be available through these channels. Newly-released TV episodes may have a delay before that make it to Paramount+ due to broadcast rights that ViacomCBS has with live TV providers. Still, if you’re a fan of these channels, you now have a cheap way to access their content without having to pay for cable TV.
Does Paramount+ On-Demand Content Have Commercials?
This depends on the package you choose. If you purchase the cheaper, $5.99 per month Limited Commercials plan (later in 2021, this changes to $4.99 per month), you’ll have several commercial breaks during each show you watch.
However, if you pay $9.99 per month or $99 per year for the Commercial Free plan, you won’t have to watch commercials when you watch most on-demand content. There are some exceptions, though. Occasionally, there is a show that will still require you to watch an ad or two.
It’s also important to note that, no matter which Paramount+ package you choose, you’ll still have to watch commercials when you’re watching live channels on Paramount+, even if you choose the Commercial Free plan.
What Apps Can I Use to Watch Paramount+ On-Demand?
All devices that support Paramount+ also support on-demand viewing. That means you can watch Paramount+ on your web browser, on iOS and Android devices, on Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and on the Xbox One and Xbox 360 gaming consoles.
Can I Watch Paramount+ On-Demand Content Offline?
Yes, you can! However, there are some limitations you should be aware of before hitting the download button.
First of all, you can watch Paramount+ on-demand content with offline viewing using any Paramount+ subscription tier. Even if you have the Limited Commercials subscription, you can still download and view content offline.
That said, you can only watch Paramount+ on-demand content offline using iPhones, iPads, Android phones, or Android tablets. Additionally, the company limits you to 25 video downloads. Video downloads also expire automatically after 30 days.
Eric Liston is a content writer based in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2015, he’s been writing about technology, cord-cutting, and helping everyday people save money. He also has expertise writing about medicine, dentistry, insurance, and a variety of other industries. No matter what he’s writing, his focus is always on simplifying complex concepts and making them approachable for everyone. When he’s not slamming away on his keyboard at his home office, you’ll find Eric reading sci-fi novels, improving his disc golf game (he just hit his first 400-foot drive) and playing video games on his gaming PC.
