CBS All Access is officially rebranding to Paramount+ on March 4, 2021, and here's how to get the streaming service for free. The subscription service anchored by CBS programming first launched in October 2014 as one of the initial new wave streamers to compete with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. In late 2019, CBS merged with Viacom, and just a few months later, the company announced plans for a more expansive streaming service.
Paramount+ will remain the home of original CBS All Access programming like Star Trek: Discovery, The Good Fight, and The Stand. There's also a slate of new titles on the way that the service hopes will attract potential new subscribers. Included in the upcoming titles are Y: 1883, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and Halo. Additionally, there will be various TV revivals for Frasier, Criminal Minds, Rugrats, Inside Amy Schumer, and Reno 911!. Aside from the release of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, Paramount+ will feature the exclusive releases of Paranormal Activity 7 as well as a Pet Semetary remake. If the previously mentioned titles aren't compelling enough, the streamer will have live sports broadcasts and a library consisting of 30,000 TV episodes and 2,500 movies.
Those already subscribed to CBS All Access will find that their membership transfer over to Paramount+ at launch. The app will also automatically update with no effect on content availability. Paramount+ has also been heavily active in marketing the relaunch in an effort to gain new subscribers. Unfortunately, the rebranded service isn't offering any extended free trials. At the time of writing, Paramount+ is only offering a 7-day free trial for new customers who sign up for a plan. That said, there are ways to get money off on the various plans.
How To Save Money With Paramount+ Plans
Paramount+, which will be the streaming home of upcoming Paramount movies, is currently split into two major plans: "Limited Commercials" and "Commercial Free." The latter serves as the ad-free tier, which costs $10 each month. A $5 per month base tier will also be available, but not until June. Instead of paying monthly, subscribers also have an opportunity to choose an annual plan. This method knocks the price down a bit, with the "Limited Commercials" tier coming in at $60 for the year and the ad-free plan costing $100. The streamer is notably offering a deal for annual plans at half the price with the discount code "PARAMOUNTPLUS," but it ends March 3 at 3:59 pm PT/6:59 pm ET.
With each sign-up, subscribers will automatically get the week-long free trial before being billed. Paramount+ will notify the user regarding the payment date. This allows the subscriber to cancel or change monthly or yearly streaming plans, which can also be done at any time once the membership begins. The service may offer other kinds of trials or annual subscription deals following the official rebrand. Streamers have been known to implement attractive discounts when the buzz starts to diminish after a major launch.