Paramount+ FAQ for soccer fans

If you haven’t heard of Paramount+ yet, get ready because the new streaming service has set its goal on dominating the sport for viewers in the United States. To help explain what it is, we’ve created this Paramount+ FAQ for soccer fans.

“Paramount+ will be the leader in live sports,” CBS Entertainment Group boss George Cheeks said. “We’re doubling down on soccer on Paramount+. As we look to the future, we are making soccer a core pillar of sports, exclusively available on Paramount+.”

So what is Paramount+ and how will it work for soccer fans? Here goes:

Paramount+ FAQ for soccer fans

Q: What is Paramount+ and how is it different than CBS All Access?

A: After debuting on March 4, 2021, Paramount+ is the renamed and rebranded service previously known as CBS All Access. The streaming service features a ton of live soccer games as well as movies, TV shows and live channels. Paramount+ is the new streaming platform from the media giant ViacomCBS.

In addition to the new name and features, Paramount+ will be different for one big reason for soccer fans — more soccer coverage (read on for more details below).

Q: What soccer coverage can we expect on Paramount+?

A: Paramount+ has added to its current soccer rights of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and NWSL by acquiring the exclusive English-language rights in the United States to international games in the CONCACAF (including World Cup qualifiers) as well as English-language broadcasts of the Brasileirāo and Argentine Primera División. Plus Copa de la Liga Profesional, and, beginning in 2022, the Supercopa Argentina.

Beginning August 2021, Paramount+ will have the exclusive rights to Serie A from the 2021/22 through 2023/24 seasons, plus Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana (beginning August 2021 for seasons 2021/22 through the end of 2023/24).

Q: What’s the price?

A: There are two tiers to choose from — a version with advertising that is $4.99/month, and one that is $9.99/month that includes everything the ad-supported one has in addition to access to live CBS TV, CBS Network news and your local CBS channel.

Q: For the $9.99/month Premium pricing tier, when it says it includes “more live CBS Sports,” is there anything there soccer-related that’s not available in the ad-supported $4.99/month June 2021 tier?

A: No. All live soccer will be available in the $4.99/month tier.

Q: How much is Paramount+ between March 4 and June 2021?

A: Paramount+ will be $5.99 per month until June 2021 when the price changes to $4.99/month. The advantage of signing up at the $5.99/month rate before June is that not only will you be able to access all of the soccer, but you’ll get to keep CBS’ live linear feed, which won’t be available in the new $4.99/month ad-supported plan.

Q: When will the live coverage of the Brasileirāo and Argentine leagues begin streaming on Paramount+?

A: CBS Sports will be announcing those details in the coming weeks. As soon as we find out, we’ll update the Brasileirao and Primera División schedules.

Q: If you’re already a CBS All Access subscriber, how will you be able to access Paramount+?

A: If you’ve already subscribed to CBS All Access, you’ll be able to log into Paramount+ from March 4 onwards using your CBS login credentials.

Q: For a CBS All Access subscriber who currently has the $5.99 plan, what do they get at the grandfathered plan that the $4.99/month subscriber won’t have?

A: Grandfathered $5.99/month subscribers will get to keep CBS’ live linear feed, which won’t be available in the new $4.99/month ad-supported plan.

Q: If someone signed up for the CBS All Access annual plan with limited commercials ($5.99/month), would they get transitioned into the ad-supported $4.99/month plan when June 2021 rolls around? Vice-versa, if someone had the CBS All Access annual plan with no commercials, would they get the Premium Plan under Paramount+?

A: Anyone who signed up for the limited commercial plan before June 2021 will be grandfathered into that plan and keep it (at $5.99) until they decide to cancel, upgrade or downgrade. Anyone who had the CBS All Access commercial free plan gets the Paramount+ premium plan.

Q: What other content does Paramount+ offer other than soccer?

A: Paramount+ features a massive content catalog of more than 30,000 episodes, 2,500 movie titles and over 1,000 live sporting events, plus around-the-clock news coverage. Plus, select Paramount Pictures films streams on Paramount+ following a short theatrical release, including A Quiet Place Part II, PAW PATROL: The Movie and Mission: Impossible 7

Over 50 original series to premiere on Paramount+ over next two years, including Halo, Frasier, Criminal Minds, iCarly, The Real World, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, shows from the Avatar, Yellowstone, Star Trek and SpongeBob SquarePants universes and more. The growing collection of exclusive originals include The Real World Homecoming: New York, For Heaven’s Sake, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run.

Paramount+ features depth of content across key genres, including 7,000 episodes of kids’ content, 5,000 episodes of reality and 6,000 episodes of comedy.

Marquee sporting leagues and events on the service include the NFL, Masters, PGA TOUR, NCAA, SEC, The PGA Championship and more.

Q: Are there special offers available currently?

A: Get 50% off an annual plan for the first year. Activate the offer today. Expires soon.

Q: Last question. Does Paramount+ offer a free trial?

A: Yes, you can “test drive” Paramount+ for free with their 7-day trial.