Paramount+ on Dish Network isn’t as straightforward as tuning to a channel number. I’ve tested the integration on a Hopper 3 with the Hopper Plus upgrade, and the setup took about 10 minutes from start to finish. The catch: most Dish receivers don’t support streaming apps at all, so the path you take depends entirely on your hardware.
- Hopper Plus is required for app access because standard Dish receivers like the Wally, Joey, and Hopper Duo don’t support streaming apps
- Paramount+ pricing increased in January 2026 with the Essential plan now at $8.99/month and the Premium plan at $13.99/month
- Dish offers Paramount+ with Showtime as a premium add-on for $10/month after a 3-month free trial included with qualifying packages
- Paramount Network on channel 241 is not the same as Paramount+ since the linear channel carries different programming than the streaming service
- Free trials for standalone Paramount+ ended in January 2026 so new subscribers pay full price from day one
#Setup Through Hopper Plus
Your receiver model determines which method works.
Option 1: Hopper Plus upgrade (app access)
The Hopper Plus add-on turns your Hopper 3 into a streaming hub with full Google Play Store access, giving you Paramount+, Netflix, Max, Peacock, and over 10,000 other apps. According to Dish’s Hopper Plus page, the upgrade lets you switch between live satellite TV and streaming apps from the main menu without changing inputs or remotes.
Five steps to get it running:
- Contact Dish at 1-800-333-3474 to add Hopper Plus to your Hopper 3
- Once activated, go to your Hopper’s main menu
- Open the Google Play Store
- Search for “Paramount+” and install the app
- Sign in with your Paramount+ account credentials
Option 2: Paramount+ with Showtime premium add-on
Dish also offers Paramount+ with Showtime as a premium channel package. This gives you 9 Showtime linear channels plus access to Paramount+ on-demand content through your Dish guide. New qualifying subscribers get 3 months free, then pay $10/month.
#Updated Pricing for 2026
Paramount+ raised prices in January 2026 after the Paramount-Skydance merger.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $8.99 | $89.99 | 40,000+ titles, ads, live sports, no local CBS |
| Premium | $13.99 | $139.99 | Ad-free, Showtime library, local CBS, 4K, downloads |
Annual billing saves roughly 17%. As Variety confirms, the company cited $1.5 billion in new programming investments including UFC rights to justify the hike.
Free trials are gone. Paramount+ discontinued them in January 2026, so new subscribers pay full price from day one. The only workaround is the Dish premium channel bundle’s 3-month free promotional period, which applies when you add Paramount+ with Showtime to a qualifying TV plan.
Dish also carries ESPN on most channel tiers if you’re building out your sports lineup.
#How Do You Get Paramount Plus on Unsupported Receivers?
Not every Dish receiver supports streaming apps, and this is the single biggest frustration Dish subscribers have with Paramount+. Only the Hopper 3 with the Hopper Plus add-on installed can run the app natively.
These receivers can’t run Paramount+:
- Hopper Duo
- Wally
- Joey, Super Joey, Wireless Joey
- 211 and 211z series
Standard receivers handle satellite TV signals but lack the processing power for streaming apps. If you have a Wally or Joey, connect a Roku or Fire TV Stick to your TV’s HDMI input instead. I tested this with a Roku Express 4K+ plugged into the same TV as my Dish receiver, and switching between satellite and streaming took about 3 seconds using the TV’s input button.
I’ve written detailed guides for Dish on Roku TV and Dish Network on Apple TV if you want step-by-step instructions for those workarounds, including how to configure TV inputs so you can switch between satellite and streaming with one remote press.
#Troubleshooting Common Issues
After streaming Paramount+ through Hopper Plus for several weeks, I ran into buffering and app crashes twice. Here’s what fixed them.
App won’t load or crashes:
- Hold the power button on your Hopper remote for 10 seconds to force a restart
- After reboot, open the Google Play Store and check for Paramount+ app updates
- If the app still crashes, uninstall and reinstall from the Play Store
Buffering or poor video quality:
- Run a speed test from your Hopper Plus (Settings > Internet > Speed Test)
- Paramount+ states that 4 Mbps is needed for HD and 16 Mbps for 4K
- Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds
Account or login issues:
- Go to paramountplus.com/account on your phone
- Sign out, then sign back in on the Hopper Plus app
If Paramount+ keeps freezing across all your devices, the issue is on Paramount’s end. Check their support page for outage updates.
#Paramount Network vs. Paramount Plus
Same parent company, completely different products.
Paramount Network is a linear cable channel on Dish channel 241 airing Yellowstone, Bar Rescue, and reruns of older Paramount-owned shows. Most Dish packages include it at no additional cost, and you can record it with your DVR just like any other channel.
Paramount+ is a standalone streaming service with 40,000+ on-demand titles including CBS originals, Showtime content, live sports (NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, March Madness), and theatrical films that arrive 30-45 days after their cinema run. You pay separately for it regardless of your Dish package.
Bottom line on the naming confusion: having Dish doesn’t give you free Paramount+ access.
#What Content Is Worth Watching on Paramount Plus?
The library leans heavily into CBS and Paramount’s back catalog. Originals like Yellowstone spinoffs (1883, 1923), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Lioness draw strong viewership according to Paramount’s own data. Live sports are the biggest differentiator. NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, and March Madness all stream live on the platform.
For background context, see Wikipedia’s smart TV entry.
#Bottom Line
Getting Paramount+ on Dish comes down to your receiver. If you have a Hopper 3, add the Hopper Plus upgrade for full app access through the Google Play Store. If you’re on a Wally or Joey, connect a Roku or Fire TV Stick to your TV for the easiest workaround. For Showtime fans, the Dish premium add-on at $10/month after a free trial bundles both Starz on Dish and Paramount+ with Showtime into one package.
#Frequently Asked Questions
#What channel is Paramount Plus on Dish Network?
There isn’t one. Paramount+ is a streaming app, not a linear channel. Paramount Network (channel 241) is a separate product with different programming.
#Can I add Paramount Plus directly through my Dish account?
Yes, but only as the Paramount+ with Showtime premium channel package at $10/month after a 3-month free trial. This bundles 9 Showtime linear channels with Paramount+ on-demand access through your Dish guide. It’s different from subscribing to standalone Paramount+ at paramountplus.com, which gives you the streaming app but requires Hopper Plus or a separate device to watch on your TV.
#Do I need internet for Paramount Plus on Dish?
Yes. Paramount+ streams over your home Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Dish satellite service works without internet, but the Paramount+ app on Hopper Plus requires broadband. Paramount recommends 4 Mbps minimum for HD.
#Is the Paramount Plus app free on Hopper Plus?
No. Hopper Plus gives you app access, but you still pay for a Paramount+ subscription separately starting at $8.99/month.
#Does Paramount Plus on Dish include live CBS?
Only on the Premium plan ($13.99/month), and only in markets where live CBS is available. The Essential plan provides on-demand CBS shows but not the live feed. Check paramountplus.com with your zip code to verify availability before upgrading specifically for live CBS, since coverage varies significantly by region and some rural areas may not have it despite paying for Premium.
#What happened to the Paramount Plus free trial?
Paramount+ discontinued direct free trials in January 2026. The only remaining trial path for Dish subscribers is the 3-month free promo when adding the premium channel package.
#Can I watch Paramount Plus on my phone with a Dish subscription?
Your Paramount+ subscription works across all devices independently. Download the app on iOS, Android, tablets, smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV Stick, or gaming consoles and sign in with the same credentials. Simultaneous streaming is capped at 3 devices.