As you browse cable and streaming options for your next entertainment fix, you may come across two similarly named services – Paramount Network and Paramount Plus.
With the Paramount mountain logo anchored across both, it‘s natural to be confused about exactly what the difference is between these two video providers.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain everything you need to know about Paramount Network and Paramount Plus across key categories:
- Brief Background
- Content Offerings
- Features
- Streaming Quality
- Price and Plans
- Platform Availability
- And which option may suit your viewing preferences best!
Let‘s dive in…
A Quick History
The Paramount Global media conglomerate has been ambitious in expanding its streaming video business.
First, some fast facts on Paramount Network and Paramount Plus origins:
Paramount Network
- Launched in 2018 as a rebrand of the former Spike TV
- Spike TV went by various names since debuting in 2003 including The New TNN, The National Network, and originally, The Nashville Network
- Viacom acquired the channel in 2003
- Focuses on movies, scripted dramas, and reality shows
Paramount Plus
- Launched in 2021
- Rebrand of the CBS All Access streaming service
- CBS All Access launched in 2014
- Expanding to global markets including Europe, Latin America, etc by end of 2022
- Vast range of films, series, live sports and news
Now under one Paramount Global umbrella, the media titan looks to dominate across linear cable and internet streaming.
But should you choose Paramount Network or Paramount Plus? Let‘s break it down.
An Expert‘s Overview
As an experienced streaming analyst, I always examine 5 key elements when comparing video services:
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Content: What kind of programming is offered – movies, shows, sports, etc? New originals or classic library?
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Features: What functionality comes – multiple profiles, downloads – and viewing flexibility exists?
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Streaming Format: How does video quality stack up – SD, HD and 4K? What about audio – 5.1 Surround Sound or Dolby Atmos?
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Platform Availability: On what devices can you access the service – mobile, computers, streaming boxes?
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Price: Transparent subscription costs and free trial options can make decisions easier.
Let‘s explore how Paramount Network and Paramount Plus stack up across these categories.
Content Libraries: Goliath vs David
In a content showdown, tiny David would stand no chance battling Goliath…much like the programming differences here:
Paramount Plus Content
- 30,000+ movies and shows
- Blockbuster films from Paramount Pictures slate
- TV classics ranging from Comedy Central to Nickelodeon
- 2,000+ kids titles – Dora, Bubble Guppies, etc
- Breaking news and live sports – NFL, UEFA, PGA, etc
- Hundreds of Paramount+ Originals – Star Trek: Discovery, 1883 spinoff, The Good Fight series
I can best summarize the scope by hours: over 5,600 TV show seasons and 5,800 movie titles as of February 2023.
Paramount Network Content
- Focused list of western/action movies
- Off-network series acquisitions – Yellowstone, American Grit, etc
- Reality shows – Ink Master, Bar Rescue
- Made-for-TV Movies – originals like The Christmas Bow, Along for the Ride
In 2022, Paramount Network only aired 12 original movie premieres. Reality shows and series fill other gaps in programming.
While Paramount Network offers a targeted flavor, Paramount Plus provides an all-inclusive, massive buffet appealing to all tastes – kids, comedy lovers, sci-fi nerds, rom-com fans.
The streaming library breadth simply blows away the cable network.
WINNER: Paramount Plus
Features: No Comparison
Given one came from the internet while the other migrated from cable, we would expect vastly different feature sets allowing flexible viewing.
That expectation proves absolutely true here:
Paramount Plus Features
- Stream On Demand – 10s of thousands of programs to watch now
- Download to Go – Download movies/shows to phones/tablets
- 4 Simultaneous Streams – Whole household can watch
- Unlimited Series Resumes – Pick up any episode where you left off
- Up to 6 User Profiles – Personalized watchlists for each member
Paramount Network Features
- Ummmm…it tells you what‘s on next?
As a standard cable network, Paramount Network offers effectively zero special functionality. Miss an airing of Yellowstone episode and you are out of luck without recording via DVR.
Meanwhile, Paramount Plus offers every feature that makes internet streaming such a vastly superior experience over cable channel surfing.
WINNER: Paramount Plus
Streaming Quality: Modern vs Dated
Video and audio fidelity can make or break programming. Given Paramount Plus arrived in 2021 and Paramount Network came from 2006 roots, their streaming quality appropriately reflects generationally different expectations.
Paramount Plus Video Quality
- 4K Ultra HD streaming
- Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR)
- Dolby Atmos immersive audio
By delivering select titles in best-in-class 4K quality with gorgeous colors and object-based sound, Paramount Plus provides a supreme viewing experience rivaling Netflix and Disney+.
Of course Paramount Plus offers lower-bandwidth options too – HD up to 1080p will suit most internet connections just fine.
Paramount Network Video Quality
- 720p/1080i HD where supported
- Standard dynamic range
- Stereo audio
As a cable channel, Paramount Network quality hinges on your provider‘s tech specs. While high definition, we are talking 720p or 1080i – no 4K immersion here.
Andcable audio generally maxes out at compressed stereo quality rather than room-filling Dolby sound.
WINNER: Paramount Plus
Device Availability
Accessibility across screens is vital to streaming success today. More devices means more ways to enjoy your shows on your own terms.
Let‘s examine what gadgets you can get Paramount Network vs Paramount Plus on:
Paramount Plus Devices
- Phones & Tablets – iOS, Android
- Streaming Boxes – Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku
- Game Consoles – PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Smart TVs – Samsung, LG, VIZIO SmartCast, others
- Desktop site – Chrome, Firefox, Edge browsers
With apps spanning mobile, TVs, consoles, and computers, Paramount Plus offers remarkable device reach rivaling giants like Netflix or Disney+.
Paramount Network Devices
- It again depends on your TV provider! Spectrum or DIRECTV subscribers can access on:
- Set top boxes
- Select streaming apps
- Maybe mobile apps
- Access and quality varies greatly by pay TV service
Unlike the ubiquitous Paramount Plus, your ability to get Paramount Network follows old cable rules – rental boxes dominate and streaming availability remains fragmented. Want to watch on vacation? Out of luck!
When we imagine the world moving to streaming for freedom to Watch What You Want, Wherever You Are – Paramount Network feels trapped in 2003.
WINNER – Paramount Plus
Price and Plans
Money talks as a key decision point for entertainment. Does value match cost and your budget?
Paramount Network and Paramount Plus take radically different approaches:
Paramount Network Price
Bundled into larger cable TV packages only. Price examples:
- Spectrum – Starts at $64.99/month
- DIRECTV STREAM – Starts at $69.99/month
- Verizon FIOS – Starts at $50/month
- Sling Blue + Comedy Extra – $46/month
Because Paramount Network requires a full cable lineup, you lack cost transparency on the channel itself. And equipment fees, taxes etc quickly balloon costs upwards of $100+.
Paramount Plus Pricing
As a direct-to-consumer (DTC) app, Paramount Plus offers clear standalone pricing:
- Essential Plan – $4.99/month or $49.99/year
- Ads included
- Premium Plan – $9.99/month or $99.99/year
- Ad-free*
*except a small number of shows
That means for the yearly cost of basic cable above you could enjoy the entire Paramount Plus universe for yourself without ads.
And dipping your toes in with the ad-supported tier runs just $50 annually – less than Sling TV or Netflix charge in 3 months!
When you consider 30,000 movies and shows on demand and advanced streaming perks, Paramount Plus provides far better bang for your buck than bloated cable bundles.
WINNER – Paramount Plus
Which Service Should You Choose?
So across all our criteria – content selection, features, streaming quality, device support, and price – Paramount Plus clearly outranks Paramount Network as the superior entertainment option.
If you want:
- An enormous on demand library with originals and classics
- Advanced streaming functionality
- The freedom to watch WHERE and WHEN you want
- Award-winning 4K HDR video quality
- Cost savings over cable
Then without question, Paramount Plus is the streaming home for you. While the Paramount cable channel offers a live complement, Paramount Plus unlocks the full power of the Paramount Global catalog.
But if you:
- Already enjoy cable packages like Spectrum TV
- Are happy channel surfing
- Mainly stick to Yellowstone and Ink Master when aired
Then continue accessing Paramount Network through your existing TV bundle.
Just don‘t expect the world-class flexibility and fidelity that Paramount Plus delivers in spades today. Cable TV increasingly seems a relic of the past – and Paramount Network‘s offerings fit that description now.
I hope mapping out the major advantages of each Paramount platform assists your viewing decision! If helpful, please share.
