Is CBS All Access Free With Amazon Prime in 2024? The Streaming Breakdown

ByCharles Scott Last Update on

As an expert streamer with over 5 years experience cutting the cord from cable, this is a question I‘ve been asked a lot recently. No, CBS All Access is not included for free with an Amazon Prime subscription. Read on for a detailed breakdown on Paramount+, Prime Video, and maximizing your streaming dollars.

The Evolution of CBS All Access into Paramount+

CBS rebranded their streaming service into a new offering called Paramount+ in 2021. This expanded service goes beyond old CBS shows to include over 30,000 episodes, movies and exclusives from their broader family of entertainment brands:

  • CBS
  • Comedy Central
  • BET
  • MTV
  • Paramount Movie Studio
  • Smithsonian Channel

This provides diverse content spanning breaking news, sports highlights, reality shows, African-American focused programming, children‘s content, and blockbuster movies.

While rebranding to catch up with newer streamers, Paramount+ maintained competitive pricing tiers:

PlanMonthly PriceAd-Free?
Essential$4.99No
Premium$9.99Yes

Over 56 million Americans still subscribe to traditional Pay TV according to eMarketer. But as this declines 3% annually, Paramount had to reposition itself beyond relying solely on CBS‘ aging audience.

The expanded content library and broader branding aims to attract all demographics. But does it compare to the value of an Amazon Prime subscription?

How Paramount+ Compares to Amazon Prime Video

Prime Video comes standard with an Amazon Prime subscription, which over 200 million global users pay $139 yearly for benefits like free shipping. Here‘s how the video libraries compare:

ServiceAvg. Monthly CostOriginalsShowsMoviesOffline Download
Paramount+$4.99Yes30,000+2,500+Yes
Prime Video$11.58Yes20,000+13,000+Yes

Both services offer popular original exclusives and large back-catalogues to binge. But Prime Video edges out Paramount+ for larger on-demand libraries – at over 2.3x the cost.

Ultimately whether Paramount+ offers enough value depends on your tastes. Reality fans may prefer it over sci-fi watchers. But why not just subscribe to both?

The Strategy Behind Channel Add-Ons

Amazon offers Prime Video for cheap partly because they recoup costs via subscribers ultimately buying more products. The real profit from their over $200 billion media and entertainment empire comes from add-on channels.

Channels encourage you to search Amazon first for media, becoming conditioned to their platform. And once accustomed to the convenience it‘s frictionless to then purchase physical products you need.

But for savvy streamers, you can leverage both standalones like Paramount+ plus Amazon‘s unbundled model to maximize niche content and control costs.

I prefer using Prime Video for the tech and ditching cable. Then subscribing separately to 2-3 specialty streamers monthly to meet my changing tastes. This floods me with fresh originals and classics while saving over 50% versus my old cable bill.

If you still want more channel variety however, here‘s a breakdown of the top Prime Video channels by popularity:

  1. HBO Max
  2. Showtime
  3. Starz
  4. Paramount+
  5. AMC+

Starz actually offers tons of African-American movies and series. Showtime boasts edgy originals plus boxing matches. And AMC+ brings Acorn TV‘s British TV. Combine your favorite 2 with base Prime Video for under $30 a month!

The Bottom Line

While Paramount+ has expanded their content scope, they haven‘t yet dethroned Prime Video‘s wider mainstream popularity. But as a streaming analyst, Paramount+ brings excellent niche value in children‘s, reality and African-American programming.

Stack your personalized channel bundle over Prime Video to get the most bang for your buck. Just beware falling into Amazon‘s ecosystem trap unless you need the free shipping!

Hope this breakdown helps cut back your own subscription overload or cable bill. Feel free to reach out with any other streaming questions!

Charles Scott is a dynamic professional whose academic and career achievements demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in the retail and consumer service industry. Graduating with an MBA from New York University in 2013, Charles has built a diverse and impressive career portfolio. He has held significant roles as a manager, advisor, and marketer, showcasing his multifaceted skills and deep understanding of the industry.

Beyond his direct professional engagements, Charles has made a notable mark as the head writer and founder of ExpertBeacon.com. This platform stands as a testament to his dedication to consumer empowerment and education. ExpertBeacon.com is a resource designed to assist consumers in addressing their persistent questions about products, services, and companies. Under Charles's leadership, the site provides in-depth, well-researched, and accurate information, all structured in easy-to-follow guides and articles. His work here not only highlights his expertise in the field but also his commitment to providing valuable, actionable information to the public.

Charles's approach is centered on a keen understanding of consumer needs and market dynamics, making him a respected voice in the industry. His contributions through ExpertBeacon.com and his professional roles reflect a blend of strategic thinking, practical knowledge, and a genuine desire to enhance consumer experiences in the retail and consumer service sectors.

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