Last weekend, I had the family settled, promising them a marathon of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The snacks were out, and the sofa was full. I turned on my living room TV—a "smart" model from about six years ago—went to the app store, and... nothing. No Paramount+ app. Anywhere.
It was a frustrating and slightly embarrassing moment. It turns out "smart" doesn't always mean "compatible." If you've found yourself asking, "Why can't I get Paramount Plus on my TV?"—you are not alone. To answer the question of how to get Paramount Plus on TV, I dug into blogs and communities.
Now I'm going to break this topic down into a few parts: I'll cover the latest TVs that support the Paramount+ app, and then list three different ways to get Paramount Plus on TV.
Quick Guide
- Q1: What TV is compatible with Paramount Plus?
- Most Smart TVs made after 2017 are compatible. For a detailed list, check Section 1
- Q2: How do I get Paramount Plus on my TV?
- Download the official Paramount+ app. ➡️ Check Section 2
- Use an external streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, etc.). ➡️ Check Section 3
- Get access through a participating TV provider. ➡️ Check Section 4
- Q3: How to watch Paramount Plus videos offline on TVs? ➡️ Check Section 5
- Use an extra tool like KeepStreams for Paramount Plus to download videos into MP4 video files.
Can You Get Paramount Plus on TV? Compatibility Explained
Before you spend an hour searching your TV's app store, let's address the most common problem: compatibility.
Streaming services frequently update their apps. These updates require newer processors and operating systems that older smart TVs simply don't have. While a 6-year-old TV doesn't feel "old," in the tech world, it's a legacy device. Paramount+ has drawn a line, and most TVs manufactured before 2017 fall on the wrong side of it.
Steve
If you can't find the app, it's not hidden, and you're not doing anything wrong. Your TV model is simply not supported.
Only the following TVs are compatible with the Paramount Plus app:
| Smart TV | Available Model |
|---|---|
| Samsung Smart TVs | Models from 2017 or newer running Tizen OS. |
| LG Smart TVs | Models from 2018 or newer running WebOS 4.0 or later. |
| Vizio Smart TVs | Most SmartCast models from 2016 or newer (the app is often pre-installed). |
| Android TV / Google TV |
|
| Roku TV | Any TV that runs the Roku OS 11 or later (including brands like TCL, Hisense, and others) is supported. |
| Amazon Fire TV | Any TV that uses the Fire TV OS (such as Insignia, Toshiba, and others) is supported in select countries. |
| VIDAA TV | Devices running VIDAA OS U4.0 or later, on TV model years 2020 or newer. |
| Information is extracted from the Paramount+ Support blog, Nov. 1, 2025. | |
After ensuring your device is compatible, let's have a look at the 3 methods in detail and learn how to get Paramount Plus on TV step by step.
Before that, check the guide on 4 ways to get Paramount Plus on your TV and pick the most suitable path.
Method 1: Get Paramount+ on a Compatible Smart TV (By Brand)
This is the most straightforward path and the one we all hope for. If your TV is a recent, compatible model, you can download the app directly from your TV's app store. The process is similar for most brands.
How to Get Paramount Plus on Samsung TV?
"How do I get Paramount Plus on my Samsung TV?" The process is simple if your TV is a 2017 model or newer running Tizen OS.
- Press the Home button on your Samsung remote to open the Smart Hub.
- Navigate to Apps.
- Select the Search icon (magnifying glass) in the top-right corner.
- Type "Paramount+" and select the app.
- Click Install. The app will be added to your home screen.
TV lover
How do I get Paramount+ on an older Samsung TV?
Steve
You cannot download the app directly onto an older Samsung TV (models from 2016 or earlier). The operating system on these older TVs is not supported.
The best solution is to ignore the TV's app store and use Method 2 below: plug in an inexpensive streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Fire TV Stick.
How to Get Paramount Plus on LG TV?
The process for LG TVs is similar. This requires an LG TV running WebOS 4.0 or higher (generally 2018 models and newer).
- Press the Home button on your LG Magic Remote.
- From the bottom launcher bar, select the LG Content Store.
- Navigate to the Search icon at the top.
- Type "Paramount+" and select the app.
- Click Install.
How to Get Paramount Plus on Vizio, Sony, and Hisense TVs?
These brands often use unified operating systems, making the process fairly standard.
Vizio SmartCast TVs: Most Vizio TVs (2016+) have the app pre-installed. If not, you can find it in the app row on the SmartCast home screen. You can also "cast" content from the Paramount+ mobile app directly to the TV.
Sony & Hisense (Android TV / Google TV): If your TV runs on the Google TV or Android TV platform, the process is simple. Go to the Google Play Store from your home screen, search for "Paramount+," and install it just as you would on a phone.
Hisense (Roku TV / Fire TV): Some Hisense models use Roku or Fire TV as their operating system. In this case, you'd follow the instructions for those devices (see Method 2).
The Final Step: How to Activate Paramount Plus on Your TV?
Once the app is installed on any brand of TV, you can't just start watching. You need to activate it. This is a universal step that often trips people up.
- Open the new Paramount+ app on your TV.
- Select Sign In.
- The app will give you two options: "On my TV" or "On the Web."
- Select "On the Web" (this is almost always easier).
- Your TV screen will display an activation code (e.g., 8H7J2K).
- On a computer or phone, go to paramountplus.com/tv (or /activate as the screen directs).
- Enter your activation code and click CONTINUE.
- You will be asked to sign in to your Paramount+ account (or create one).
- Once signed in on your computer/phone, your TV screen will automatically refresh, and you'll be logged in and ready to stream.
Method 2: Use a Streaming Device (The Best Fix for Older TVs)
This method is the one I, and millions of others, ended up using. It is the single best, cheapest, and most reliable solution if your TV is too old or you simply don't like its built-in smart-streaming software.
A streaming device—like a Roku stick, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV box—is a small, powerful computer that plugs into your TV's HDMI port. It bypasses your TV's "smart" features entirely and gives you a new, fast, and fully supported app store. If your TV has an HDMI port, it can be a modern streaming TV.
How to Get Paramount Plus on Roku?
Roku is one of the most popular and user-friendly platforms.
- Plug your Roku stick or box into your TV's HDMI port and switch to that input.
- From the Roku home screen, navigate to Streaming Channels.
- Select Search Channels and type "Paramount+".
- Select the app and choose Add channel.
- Once installed, open the app and sign in using the activation process (covered in Method 1).
How to Get Paramount Plus on Amazon Fire Stick (Fire TV)?
The process is very similar for Amazon's Fire TV devices.
- Plug your Fire Stick into the HDMI port and switch to that input.
- From the Fire TV home screen, navigate to the Find tab (or search icon).
- Search for "Paramount+".
- Select the app from the "Apps & Games" results.
- Click Get or Download. The app will install.
- Open the app and sign in.
TV lover
Why is Paramount Plus not working on my Fire TV?
Steve
This is rare, but if you have issues, the fix is usually simple.
First, try restarting your Fire TV Stick (unplug the power for 60 seconds). If that fails, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Paramount+ and select "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data." This forces a fresh start for the app.
How to Get Paramount Plus on Apple TV?
The Apple TV box provides a premium experience, but the compatibility rules still apply to older hardware.
- This method requires an Apple TV 4th generation (tvOS) or Apple TV 4K. The older Apple TV (running tvOS below 16) is not supported.
- From the home screen, open the App Store.
- Search for "Paramount+".
- Select the app and click Get to install it.
- Open the app and sign in.
How to Get Paramount Plus with Chromecast?
Chromecast works differently. The device itself has no apps. Instead, your phone is the remote control.
- Ensure your Chromecast is plugged into your TV's HDMI port and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.
- Open the Paramount+ app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Start playing the movie or show you want to watch.
- Tap the Cast icon (a small screen with a Wi-Fi symbol) in the corner of the video player.
- Select your Chromecast from the list of devices. The video will stop playing on your phone and appear on your TV.
Method 3: Sign In via Your TV or Channel Provider
This method is for those who get Paramount+ as part of another subscription. Instead of downloading an app and paying Paramount directly, you are accessing it through a "bundle." The most popular example of this is Amazon Prime.
How to Watch Paramount Plus with Cable/Satellite (Xfinity, DirecTV, Fios)?
This can be confusing. For most cable providers, you cannot simply go to the Paramount+ app and sign in with your Xfinity or Fios password.
Instead, your access is typically limited to the Paramount Network channel (the cable channel, which is different from the streaming service) or specific content available through your provider's On Demand menu.
If your provider (like Xfinity) does offer the full Paramount+ streaming service as an add-on, you must follow their specific instructions. This usually involves signing up through your Xfinity account first, which then gives you credentials to use on the Paramount+ app.
How to Get Paramount Plus via Amazon Prime Video Channels?
This is, in my opinion, the most popular and seamless alternative. If you already have Amazon Prime, you can add the "Paramount+ channel" directly within the Prime Video app.
Why is this a good option?
- No New App: You don't need the Paramount+ app. All the content streams inside the Prime Video app, which is available on virtually every TV, new or old.
- Solves Compatibility: This is an excellent workaround for older Samsung or LG TVs that don't support the main Paramount+ app. If your TV has Prime Video, it can have Paramount+.
Here's how to get it:
- Open the Prime Video app on your TV (or computer).
- Search for a Paramount+ show (e.g., Strange New Worlds).
- You will see an option to subscribe to the "Paramount+ channel."
- Sign up and confirm. The content will unlock and be watchable immediately, billed through your Amazon account.
TV lover
Is Paramount+ free with Amazon Prime?
Steve
No. This is a common point of confusion. Paramount+ is not included for free with a standard Amazon Prime membership. It is an optional add-on subscription that you must pay for separately, but it is conveniently billed and streamed through your Prime account.
Is Paramount Plus on YouTube TV, Hulu, or Sling TV?
No. Paramount+ is a standalone streaming service and is not included as part of a YouTube TV, Hulu, or Sling TV base package. While some of these services (like YouTube TV) may offer it as an add-on (similar to Amazon Prime Channels), the service itself is separate.
A Solution for Offline Access: Downloading Paramount+ Content
If you find it's difficult to get Paramount Plus on TV directly, and still want to watch shows on a big screen, here's another solution: Download videos on Paramount Plus and convert these Paramount+ downloads into MP4 format.
Since MP4 video files boast compatibility with nearly all players, you can move them to a USB drive and watch shows on TV offline by plugging the drive. This can also avoid any verification problems or buffering issues you encounter when streaming Paramount+ shows online on TVs.
But to get the Paramount Plus MP4 files, you need an extra tool, such as KeepStreams for Paramount Plus.
Videos downloaded by KeepStreams never expire. You can move the Paramount+ downloads to an SD card or any other device for offline viewing. Here's the whole process to do it:
Step1
Install KeepStreams and find Paramount in "VIP Services"
Step2
Enter Paramount+ with the built-in browser and log in to your Paramount+ account
This is for KeepStreams to get access to the videos you want to download.
Step3
Play videos and set download options
When you play a video in the built-in browser, KeepStreams will automatically analyze and extract it. When the analysis is done, a setting window follows up. Set options as you prefer and click on "Download Now".
And videos will be downloaded into MP4 format automatically. The video quality can be high up to FHD 1080p, which is higher than directly recording the Paramount+ screen.
Find the MP4 files (from Downloaded > file icon beside each title), and copy them to your USB drive. Plug the USB into the TV, and you can enjoy Paramount Plus movies on TV without any limits!
It's acceptable to make copies of videos you have the right to play, for personal offline viewing. But bypassing DRM is not legal and a violation of Paramount+'s ToS. When using any third-party tool, please ensure that you never share, redistribute, or sell downloads. The downloaded content should only be used for personal offline playback.
FAQs
Q1. Why is Paramount+ not working on my Samsung TV?
A1. There are two main reasons for this. First, check your TV's model year. If it is from 2016 or earlier, the app is not supported (see Method 2). If your TV is a 2017+ model and the app is crashing, try restarting the TV. If that fails, a simple fix is to go to Settings > Apps > Paramount+, select it, and reinstall the app.
Q2. How do I get subtitles (or closed captions) on Paramount+ on my TV?
A2. This is controlled during playback. While a show is playing, press the "OK" or "Select" button on your remote. This will bring up the player controls. Look for a "Subtitles" or "CC" icon (often a speech bubble). Select it to turn captions on or off and to change language or font settings.
Q3. How do I get the Paramount+ on TV free trial?
A3. You cannot sign up for the free trial directly from the TV app. You must use a computer or a mobile phone browser first. Go to the official Paramount+ website, sign up for a new account, and select your trial plan. Once your account is created, you can then use that new login to sign in on any Smart TV or streaming device app.
Q4. Can I get Paramount+ on my older LG TV?
A4. Unfortunately, this is a common issue. If your LG TV is from 2017 or earlier (running WebOS 3.5 or below), the app is not supported and will not appear in the LG Content Store. Your TV simply does not have the required hardware or software. The best solution is to buy an external streaming stick, like a Roku or Amazon Fire Stick, plug it into an HDMI port, and get the app that way.
Q5. How to watch Paramount+ videos offline on TV?
A5. The official app for TV doesn't support downloads. You need to use an extra tool like KeepStreams for Paramount Plus to download Paramount Plus videos into compatible MP4/MKV video files first, move them into a USB drive, and plug the USB into your TV to watch videos offline.
Conclusion
So, how to get Paramount Plus on TV? The answer depends entirely on your hardware.
The simplest, cheapest, and most reliable solution for almost everyone is to invest in an external streaming device. A Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV bypasses your TV's outdated software entirely. It plugs into any TV with an HDMI port and will have you streaming in minutes.
Or use a third-party Paramount Plus video downloader to save videos in MP4 video files, and watch them on TV without the Paramount+ app offline. It's the fix I used, and it's the one I recommend to anyone who just wants their TV to work.
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