Paramount review: our full opinion on its catalog, its features and its prices

Paramount+ is, to everyone’s surprise, a service exclusively offered in Full HD. This may surprise while most of its competitors (Amazon, Disney, Apple) integrates the default 4K, while Netflix offers it as an option. It is difficult to see Paramount+ not to make changes in the future, but it is still disappointing. Especially since most of these contents exist in 4K (it even happens that MyCanal offers them in this capacity in its application).

We tried Paramount+, the platform that competitions more Disney+ than Netflix in France

Launched in the United States in March 2021, Paramount+ has been available in France since December 1, 2022. Like Disney+, it mixes catalogs from different universes (Showtime, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, etc.)

Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ have a new competitor: Paramount+. While waiting for the Warner Bros group to decide on the future of its HBO Max service in France, Paramount+ is undoubtedly the most serious competitor to the three streaming giants, already well implemented in France. For good reason, it offers many quality content, such as popular films (Impossible mission, the godfather, Jack Reacher, Zoolander, Terminator…), Series (showtime content, south park…) but also videos for little ones, thanks to Nickelodeon. Even if its catalog is lower in France than in the United States (there is, for example, no CBS content), paramount+ has something to arouse interest, thanks to the diversity of its programs.

Since December 1, 2022, it is possible to subscribe to Paramount+ in France. Either directly from the site or the application of the service (for 7.99 euros per month), or from a content aggregator (Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Channels, Orange, etc.). The other alternative is to go directly through Canal+, which includes service in its cinema series bouquet. The configuration is very simple, just connect to the app with its Canal+ account and create a paramount account.

Paramount+ looks like Disney+

Since the online of Paramount+, we read a lot that it would be a competitor of Netflix. In reality, after playing a few minutes with the application of the streaming service, everything suggests that Paramount was inspired by Disney+ to design his service. The home page is almost the same, with content highlighted at the top, the different spaces just below, then suggestions grouped by categories.

Click on a space allows you to see only the contents of the studio concerned (Showtime, below, for example):

Paramount+ does he finally simplify access to showtime content ? Yes, but not completely. The fault of existing agreements with other services, which will have to expire to allow Paramount+ to offer everything. If Dexter, Ray Donovan, Billions Or Super Pumped are well available on Paramount+, others, as Homeland, are still available exclusively on Disney+, for example.

However, the paramount+ interface could not be more clear (that Amazon takes in the seed). Each series allows you to go from one season to another thanks to a list, the suggestions are well put forward and the settings are easy to understand (on mobile and tablet, we can of course download content).

On iPados (the operating system used for our test), Airplay, the Picture And the support of the Apple TV application, for the synchronization of the content watched, are there. We also appreciate the fact that Paramount+ uses the official TVOS reader (on Apple TV 4K), rather than a home reader not practical to use (like Amazon and Salto). On the other hand, the connection is not easy. You have to type your email and password on the remote control … We would have preferred a 4 -digit code to enter your smartphone or computer.

No 4K on Paramount+

This paragraph is intended for image purists.

Paramount+ is, to everyone’s surprise, a service exclusively offered in Full HD. This may surprise while most of its competitors (Amazon, Disney, Apple) integrates the default 4K, while Netflix offers it as an option. It is difficult to see Paramount+ not to make changes in the future, but it is still disappointing. Especially since most of these contents exist in 4K (it even happens that MyCanal offers them in this capacity in its application).

At 7.99 euros per month, should we subscribe to Paramount+ ?

If you have subscribed or subscribed to Canal+ offers, the question does not arise, since Paramount+ is “free” for you. Its launch in France is therefore good news, since it allows you to find in the same place content that you already had (Showtime for example) and many other new ones (the South Park integral, films, exclusives , MTV concerts, etc.)). Note that the arrival of Paramount+ does not end the contract between Canal+ and Showtime, the new series of the studio will continue to arrive in MyCanal.

For others, the question of profitability arises.

At 7.99 euros per month, Paramount+ costs almost the same price as Disney+ (8.99 euros per month), has a very well designed application, but, at the level of the number of contents, comes well behind. The list of all the Paramount+ catalog can be consulted in a few seconds, since the launch offer is quite low. Certainly, some films and series are worth it, but this is not the best value-price on the market. For example, we would have loved being able to access the replay of certain American programs broadcast by CBS and Comedy Central, but they are absent.

Maybe Paramount+ will grow over time but, for the moment, it is above all a super bonus for channel subscribers (and an affordable means of binge-watcher of old films/series if we the wish). A week of subscription is offered at launch, in case you want to look at targeted content and test the service.

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Paramount+ opinion: our full opinion on its catalog, its features and its prices

Paramount+ is a streaming platform that belongs to the powerful production house Viacomcbs, a well -known company that has already proven its expertise in the field of media and entertainment. Launched in March 2021 at UNITED STATES, This SVOD service has been available in France since December 2022. He is also present at Canada, in Latin America, in Australia and in Europe (Spain, Britain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, The Netherlands, Ireland, Austria, Swiss, Serbia, Romania. ))

Like a real phoenix, Paramount+ has taken off since the ashes of CBS All Access, by providing a complete overhaul and significant improvement in terms of content and functionalities. But what about the subscription ? Is it really interesting ? To answer this question, let’s see in more detail the characteristics of the platform.

Paramount+: a varied catalog, for all tastes

The first thing we focus on when we try to find out if a streaming platform is made for us, these are the titles she offers. Regarding the films present in the Paramount+catalog, apart from a few exceptions, these are generally feature films dating back several years.

Indeed, Paramount studios, with more than 100 years of existence, have given birth to many masterpieces and it is especially the latter who are available on the platform. Among these great classics, Scream, The Godfather, Indiana Jones, Forrest Gump or Grease, will make you go back to memorable memories.

However, even if reviewing unforgettable titles is always pleasant, we still hope that Paramount+ will quickly develop its offer with more recent content.

On the series side, some seasons and certain works are still unavailable, because the platform has not finished recovering the rights dispersed here and there. Besides, this streaming service has made the choice to broadcast the episodes of series in a weekly way, which is already finished across the Atlantic, which is not ideal in our opinion. Anyway, if you are a big fan of Star Trek, Paramount+ will quickly become your favorite companion !

Several content in a single platform

The catalog offered by the platform also offers content signed by 6 other brands well known to the public: Showtime, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon Junior and Smithsonian Channel.

The universe of Showtime allows you to view quality series, such as Ray Donovan, Californication, Twin Peaks, Penny Dreadful Or Dexter and his suite New Blood.

Comedy Central, on the other hand, comes with practically the entirety South Park And … that’s almost everything.

MTV’s content brings together, among other things, epic concerts and reality TV series.

Nickelodeon and Nickelodeon Junior (variant for the youngest) brings together a large number of titles, such as The Pat’Patrouille, Ninja turtles, Avatar, Kung Fu Panda, The Smurfs, Welcome to Leds, Rock Academy or PEPPA PIG.

Finally, for documentaries, Smithsonian Channel will allow you to occupy your evenings with various subjects, as The treasures of Haiti, The laws of the lizard, The biggest American monuments, Adolf Island, Henri VIII and the king’s men.

In conclusion, the Paramount catalog+ is rather varied, even if it does not have as much content as other streaming platforms. Whether you are a follower of science fiction, reality TV, drama, comedy, culture or cartoons, you will necessarily find titles that will like.

Original paramount+ series: the top 5

Paramount+ also offers Original series interesting to see. To help you view the best of them, here is our top 5:

• Star Trek – Strange New Worlds : This series takes place in the years preceding the arrival of Captain Kirk at the controls of the U.S.S. Enterprise. She recounts the adventures of Spock, Number One and Captain Pike as they are looking for new worlds through the Galaxy.

• 1883 : This series tells the story of the Dutton family who leaves for a trip through the great plains, towards the American West, in order to flee poverty and find a better future in Montana, Promised Land of America.

• Tulsa King : This series is centered on Dwight Manfredi, who calls himself “the general”. This former godfather of the New York mafia, just released following a 25-year-old prison sentence, is fired by a crime crime. Exiled in Oklahoma, in Tulsa, he then decides to form his own team with colorful characters.

• American Gigolo : This series tells the story of Julian Kay who, to earn a living, praises his charms. Following a night with a woman married to a businessman, she is found dead. Naturally, the police then suspect Julian. However, the latter is determined to prove that this murder is a move in the sole purpose of incriminating it.

• The Offer : This series makes us discover behind the scenes of the film The Godfather, of Francis Ford Coppola. The story is told from the point of view of Al Ruddy, producer, and relates the facts, from the acquisition of the rights of the book of Mario Puzo Until the success of its adaptation to the Oscars. One thing is certain, between the pressures of the mafia, the risky cast and the lack of means, the creation of this masterpiece will have been incredible.

Compatibility with all devices, average streaming quality

Unlike its competitors, Paramount+ offers only a maximum video quality in 1080p and a sound in stereo. So, not 5.1, Dolby Atmos, HDR or 4K. It’s a shame knowing that recent series offer these technologies. Therefore, the quality of the platform streaming therefore represents a big negative point, but we hope that this is only temporary. However, if you access the service from a laptop or a phone, this does not really concern you.

Moreover, with regard to Devices and platforms supported by Paramount+, The variety of possibilities is interesting. The service is offered, in addition to classic Android and iOS applications, as well as web, on Android TV, Apple TV, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung televisions or even boxal and orange boxes and orange boxes. Finally, Paramount+ is accessible, as a channel, from the Prime Video and Apple TV services+.

User interface and navigation experience

Once the profile has been selected, we are directly redirected to the Paramount home page+. Here, we will mainly talk about the platform’s web interface, but those corresponding to the TV or mobile version, apart from a few inappropriate buttons, remain significantly identical.

In case you have used other SVOD services, and more particularly Disney+, you will not be lost. Indeed, apart from a large headband highlighting the titles of the moment, attention is immediately paid on animated and colorful buttons. These bring together the works according to the chains of which they come.

So, from left to right, we find:

• Paramount+ Originals & Exclusive
• Showtime
• COMEDY CENTRAL
• MTV
• Nickelodeon
• Nickelodeon Junior
• Smithsonian Channel

These selections are also offered in the menu, located at the top, under the “Marques” tab. Besides, to its left, the “films” and “series” and its right, “my list” sections appear to allow you to easily find the desired content. A classic search button is grafted to this upper menu. Even if this tool is not the most efficient we have seen, it fulfills its function. Finally, the application, account and profile parameters are at the top right.

L’Main interface of Paramount+ is therefore completely classic. Going down, we also find the traditional banner “Continue to watch” and various lines presenting current trends, as well as titles sorted by genres, thematic or universes. The part devoted to personalized recommendations seems very light, even non -existent.

Bangs from top to bottom:

• Novelties
• Keep watching
• Marks
• Series – Current trend
• Films – Current trend
• Japanese animated
• Originals & exclusive series
• Original & exclusive films
• Family & Kids
• The unavoidable
• To devour in a weekend
• A gangster life
• Star Trek Universe
• European nuggets
• Things are preparing in the dark ..
• Police series
• Nostalgia series
• Nostalgia films
• Action movies
• Humor movies
• Humor series
• French comedies
• Drama movies
• Drama series
• Let the music !
• Romance
• Back to the West West
• Science fiction, fantasy and fantastic
• Detective movies, detective films
• Horror and thriller
• Music
• They will soon leave us
• Documentaries
• Real tv
• Kids
• Toddle

One of the points that differentiates Paramount+ from a large part of its competitors is that on the web version, by clicking on a film, it launches directly. This means that there is no information on the casting or concerning synopsis, since there is no prior passage by a technical sheet. There is also no button to add a movie to your list. Not ideal, but the series fortunately have all these options.

On the other hand, a relatively well indicated element is the recommended age limit to watch a film or an episode. These colorful pastilles will surely be appreciated by the parents.

As for the reader, he is also classic. It displays control buttons, tongue settings and subtitles and a Chromecast button. On the other hand, to our great regret, no button “Passing the introduction” appears for the series. In addition, it is possible to modify the display of the subtitles, by choosing the font, the color and the writing size, the fat, as well as the color of the background.

Paramount prices and subscription+

To take full advantage of the catalog offered by Paramount+, you must subscribe to a subscription. You can then opt for the monthly package, at a rate of 7.99 euros per month, or for the annual package at 79.90 euros per year. The prices are therefore significantly more affordable than those applied to competition. However, the content is also less rich.

It is also possible to Take advantage of Paramount services for free+. Indeed, for example, Canal+ Series subscribers can have access to the platform without having to pay additional cost.

Furthermore, if you want to get a more precise idea of ​​what the platform has to offer you, you can always test it thanks to a free 7 -day trial.

Average customer service

THE Paramount help center+ is accessible through the “Help” section in the options menu on the home page or via the “?”Present on titles sheets. It essentially offers ready -made answers to basic questions, which allows you to solve technical problems without the help of a technician or to understand and configure the service.

However, if that was not enough, you can contact a form that will be sent by email. No live cat or phone. Generally, you get an answer in ten minutes to your email. However, this explicitly indicates that its content is automatically translated to French. This may be an obstacle in the event of a complicated problem to solve.

The advantages and disadvantages of Paramount+

You will understand, like all streaming platforms, Paramount+ has certain advantages and weaknesses. To help you make an informed choice, here is a summary of these.

Paramount strengths+

One of the main Paramount advantages+ is the simplicity of its use and the subscription. Indeed, the subscription offer is extremely clear: this is a single rate offered at € 7.99 / month or € 79.90 / year. Upon access to the platform, we perceive the minimalism of the interface. The entire content is classified by categories, which allows you to easily find the original titles, the works of Showtime, the exclusive series, the great paramount classics, etc.

In addition, Paramount being a giant of the cinema industry, its streaming service allows you to immerse yourself in mythical films, such as the saga Indiana Jones, Top Gun, THE Friday 13, pulp Fiction, Nikita, movies The Godfather, Ghost And so many other masterpieces.

Finally, Paramount+ offers a varied catalog that will seduce all audiences. Whether you are a fan of horror, documentaries, reality TV movies or even Japanese animated films, you will inevitably find suitable content.

Paramount weaknesses+

Despite the quality of the Paramount+catalog, the volume of the latter is too fair to compete with other streaming platforms.

On the other hand, if the minimalism of its interface offers a clear and simple reading, navigation can quickly become a puzzle. The suggestions for titles adapted to our journey are not very elaborate and there is no “to review” section to consult the works already visualized.

Finally, Paramount+ presents some bugs. The service allows you to relaunch a series where it has been left, but not on all titles. Why does it work with certain works and not with others ? Mystery…

Our conclusion on Paramount+

Although ergonomics require improvements and the catalog is a little limited, our experience with Paramount+ has proven convincing overall.

Despite the few bugs and design flaws, the clear and minimalist interface makes navigation pleasant. But what allows this platform to distinguish itself is the quality of its contents.

In view of attractive productions, it is difficult to know where to start. However, it is important to note that pleasure may stop quickly due to a rather limited catalog.

SO, Paramount+ is it worth it ? It’s up to you to decide whether these weaknesses are acceptable for a monthly subscription of € 7.99.

Besides, we would really like to know your own experience with Paramount+ ! Do not hesitate to share your opinions in the comments below.