Quick Answer: Paramount+ has no channel number on any provider, because it is an app rather than a channel. The channel people usually mean instead is Paramount Network, which is 241 on both DIRECTV and DISH. Before you subscribe to anything, check whether you already have Paramount+ included, because Spectrum TV and Walmart+ both hand it out free and a lot of people pay twice without realising. If you do need to buy it, the only difference that matters between the two tiers is whether your live local CBS is included.
Check This Before You Pay for Anything
This is the part worth two minutes of your time, because for a lot of readers the answer is that Paramount+ is already sitting there unactivated.
| If you have this | What you get | What it costs you |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum TV Select Signature or above | Paramount+ Essential | Nothing extra. Already in your package |
| Walmart+ | Paramount+ Essential | Nothing extra. Included with membership |
| A mobile carrier perks bundle | Varies by carrier and plan | Worth checking your account page |
| DIRECTV, DISH, Xfinity, Cox, Optimum | Not bundled free | Add it separately or subscribe direct |
The Spectrum one catches the most people. It has been part of Stream TV Signature (called TV Select Signature until September 2026) and the tiers above it for a while now, and it still has to be activated manually through your Spectrum account. Our Spectrum Stream TV plan comparison lists every app that comes with each plan. Nobody sends you a reminder. If you are a Spectrum TV customer paying Paramount separately, you are almost certainly paying for something you already own.
Worth knowing: Walmart+ costs about $12.95 a month or $98 a year and includes Paramount+ Essential. If you were going to pay $8.99 for Paramount+ on its own and you order from Walmart anyway, the maths on that is worth a look.
There Is No Paramount+ Channel Number, but Paramount Network Has One
These two get mixed up constantly, and they are not the same thing at all. Paramount+ is a streaming service you open like Netflix. Paramount Network is an ordinary cable channel that has been around since it was Spike TV.
| Provider | Paramount Network |
|---|---|
| DIRECTV | 241 |
| DISH | 241 |
| Verizon Fios | 54 |
| Xfinity | Around 34, varies by market |
| Spectrum | Around 18, varies by market |
| Cox, Optimum, Mediacom, Astound | Varies by market |
The satellite numbers are the reliable ones. DIRECTV and DISH both landing on 241 is a coincidence, but a convenient one. Cable numbers move around by system, so use the number above as a starting point and check your own guide, or look it up in the TV Channel Finder.
If you came here looking for Yellowstone, note that the original series aired on Paramount Network the channel, while several of the spin-offs are Paramount+ exclusives. That single split is responsible for a lot of confused searching.
The Two Tiers, and the One Difference That Decides It
| Essential | Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.99 a month | $13.99 a month |
| Annual | $89.99 | $139.99 |
| Live local CBS | No | Yes, in most markets |
| NFL on CBS | Yes, via a separate live feed | Yes |
| SHOWTIME library | No | Yes |
| Ads on demand content | Yes | No |
| Downloads for offline | No | Yes |
| 4K on select titles | No | Yes |
| Simultaneous streams | 3 | 3 |
Ignore most of that table and look at one row. Live local CBS is the only difference most people actually feel. If you want your local CBS station running live, for the evening news or for anything that is not an NFL game, Essential will not give it to you no matter how long you hunt through the app. That is a Premium feature. For the station’s number on an antenna or on cable, see what channel CBS is on.
Note: live programming still carries ads on Premium. The ad-free promise applies to the on-demand library only, which surprises people who upgrade expecting silence.
Adding It Through Your Provider Instead of Direct
You can subscribe straight from paramountplus.com, and that is the simplest route. Going through your TV provider is worth considering for two reasons: it lands on one bill, and providers occasionally run a discount that beats the direct price. DIRECTV customers can follow our Paramount+ on DIRECTV walkthrough.
- Sign in to your provider account, on the web rather than the TV app, which is usually easier.
- Find the streaming, add-ons or apps section. Every provider names it something different.
- Select Paramount+ and choose your tier. Check which tier the bundled price refers to, because it is normally Essential.
- You will be sent to Paramount to create or link an account. Use the same email you already use if you have ever had a trial.
- Open the Paramount+ app on your TV and sign in there separately. Adding it on the provider side does not sign you in on the device.
Step five is where most people get stuck. Purchasing through your provider and installing the app are two different jobs, and finishing the first does not finish the second.
What the Money Actually Buys You
Paramount+ is stronger on live sport than most people expect and weaker on recent films than the marketing suggests. The live side carries NFL on CBS, the UEFA Champions League, and college basketball through March. The library side is deep on CBS series, the Star Trek catalogue, and Nickelodeon for anyone with young children. New cinema releases arrive, but they arrive slowly.
If your reason for subscribing is one specific thing, check that the thing is on the tier you are buying before you commit. The Yellowstone family in particular is split across the channel and the service, and across tiers.
When Paramount+ Will Not Play
| Problem | Likely fix |
|---|---|
| You cannot find a Paramount+ channel number | There is not one. It is an app. You may want Paramount Network instead. |
| Live CBS will not load | You are on Essential. Live local CBS is a Premium feature. |
| Paid through your provider but the app says subscribe | You have not signed in on the device. Provider billing and app sign-in are separate steps. |
| Spectrum customer being asked to pay | Your package likely includes Essential already. Activate it from your Spectrum account. |
| Local CBS missing even on Premium | Live local coverage does not reach every market. Check yours. |
| Still seeing ads after upgrading | Normal. Live content keeps ads on both tiers. |
| A Yellowstone spin-off is not there | Some are Paramount Network, some are Paramount+ exclusives. They are not all in one place. |
The author specializes in U.S. cable, satellite, and streaming TV services, with hands-on experience analyzing channel lineups, regional restrictions, equipment requirements, and contract terms. All the content is written with clear, easy-to-understand explanations to help readers compare services accurately and make informed decisions.
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