Paramount+ has made a game-changing move in the UK streaming world – by finally allowing users to see what shows and movies it offers before they subscribe.
If that doesn’t sound like a big deal – you’d be surprised to know that until recently, this was NOT the case.
Until this change, the only way to browse the extensive catalogue of Paramount+ in the UK, was by signing up and paying for a subscription.
This has been a common annoyance for people trying to decide which streaming service to choose, as they couldn’t compare what shows or movies were available without committing to a subscription.
Other big names in streaming, like Disney+ and Netflix, still keep their full libraries under wraps unless you’re a subscriber (or at the very least make them complicated to find).
This change by Paramount+ could make choosing a streaming service easier for viewers, as they can now see exactly what they’re getting before they decide to pay, thanks to two simple links (see full details below).
Paramount+ In The UK
Paramount+, owned by Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS), made its debut in the UK with a promise of offering an extensive collection of content from CBS, Showtime, and Paramount Pictures, along with several exclusive, original programmes.
Priced at £6.99/month or £69.90 annually (with a 7-day free trial), the service provides a competitive option for UK viewers, especially with its inclusion of all Star Trek series, Yellowstone and its spinoff shows, and blockbuster films like Top Gun: Maverick, the Scream franchise, Dungeons & Dragons and many others.
Paramount+ is available on most of the streaming devices sold in the UK, and is also available on Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream – and Sky Cinema subscribers get it for free.
However, despite its appealing content and pricing, Paramount Plus’ approach to showcasing its library has been less than transparent, requiring users to commit financially before exploring the full extent of its offerings.
Browse Before You Pay
Remember the days of Blockbuster and similar video rental stores, where you could browse before you took out your wallet? Turns out, it’s not as simple these days.
Since its inception, Paramount+ has faced criticism for not allowing potential subscribers to view its complete library without first paying for a subscription.
This lack of transparency forced interested viewers to find workarounds, such as relying on third-party sites (like Cord Busters), which periodically published lists of available content, or the Paramount+ Prime Video Channel.
This practice not only hindered users’ ability to make informed decisions but also placed Paramount+ at a disadvantage compared to some of the other services that offered more openness about their catalogues.
The Full Paramount+ Library
In a move that addresses long-standing user complaints, Paramount+ has recently made it possible for anyone to see its full library of TV shows and films without the need for a subscription.
This change comes with the introduction of two links, albeit somewhat hidden at the bottom of Paramount+’s homepage, which lead to comprehensive lists of available TV shows and movies:
These links represent a significant shift towards transparency, allowing potential subscribers to explore the service’s offerings in detail before making a financial commitment.
Gone are the days when our readers would ask me whether a certain show or film was available on Paramount+ or not – as you can finally check for yourself or simply browse.
Unveiling Streaming Treasures: Not The Industry Standard
The (former) practice of hiding full content libraries behind a subscription paywall is not unique to Paramount+.
This approach, adopted by several leading streaming services, has become somewhat of an industry standard, albeit one that has not been without its criticisms.
Disney+ and Netflix also restrict full visibility of their extensive catalogues to those who have not subscribed (or at least make them rather complex to find).
For instance, Disney+ allows non-subscribers to search for and access specific title pages through search engines like Google, but it stops short of offering an open gateway to its entire library.
This means potential subscribers can get a glimpse of what’s on offer but cannot grasp the full scope of available content without signing up (unless they find and use direct links—like the full Marvel library on Disney+, for example).
Netflix operates in a similar fashion, permitting access to certain category pages which might give an idea of the genres and types of content available.
However, a subscription is required to explore its library comprehensively, which could help users decide whether the service meets their viewing preferences.
This strategy, while perhaps intended to protect the value of the content, can frustrate users who wish to compare streaming services before making a financial commitment.
However, not all streaming services follow this opaque approach.
Sky’s NOW TV and Apple TV+ stand out as notable exceptions, adopting a more user-friendly stance towards content visibility.
NOW TV allows potential subscribers to easily browse its content offering, providing a transparent view of what’s available before making any financial commitment.
Similarly, Apple TV+ offers a level of openness, allowing users to explore its entire catalogue of original series and films without the need for an account.
And you don’t even have to take a bus to Blockbuster.
For more TV news and updates, Please subscribe to our free newsletter.
I’d love to be able to watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which seems to be carried on Paramount in the US, but I cannot find any service that broadcasts it in the UK.
I was hoping the headline meant all their shows were now available, like the series Taxi, but I see it’s still not in the UK 😢
I fell for that, too. I’m dying for classics like CSI:NY, Walker, MacGyver to show, but nope.