Manage CBS All Access

How to cancel CBS all access (now paramount+) and protect your wallet

Understanding CBS all access and why cancellation matters

CBS All Access was once a standalone streaming service offering live local CBS broadcasts, on-demand shows, and exclusive originals. Today, the service operates under the Paramount+ umbrella, though many subscribers still recognize the CBS All Access name, especially if you signed up years ago or purchased through a device marketplace like Roku, Amazon, or Apple TV. The transition to Paramount+ created confusion for many customers about billing, access, and how to manage their subscription going forward.

At Stopee, we know that streaming subscriptions can stack up quickly, and a service you once loved might no longer fit your needs or budget. Whether you're consolidating services, cutting costs, or simply tired of paying for content you no longer watch, canceling CBS All Access is straightforward once you know where to look. The challenge isn't the cancellation process itself-it's understanding which platform your subscription is tied to and then navigating that specific ecosystem.

What CBS all access offered (and what you lose when you cancel)

Subscribers historically enjoyed access to a vast catalog of CBS programming, live local CBS station feeds in most U.S. markets, exclusive original series, and sports coverage. The service supported streaming across smart TVs, streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick), gaming consoles, and web browsers. When you cancel, you immediately lose access to all on-demand content, live streams, and any downloaded episodes. Your account credentials stop working within minutes of cancellation.

The billing confusion problem: direct vs. third-party purchases

Here's where many customers stumble. If you subscribed directly through cbs.com or paramount.com, you manage your billing in one place. But if you bought CBS All Access through Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, Roku, or another device marketplace, your billing is handled by that third party, not CBS. This matters enormously for cancellation. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate this exact confusion by clarifying which platform actually owns the billing relationship. If you don't know where your subscription originates, your cancellation attempt might fail because you're looking in the wrong place.

Pricing tiers and what you're paying for

Understanding your plan helps you decide whether cancellation makes sense or if a downgrade is a better option.

If you're on the fence about canceling, review your last three billing statements. If you're paying $11.99 or higher and rarely watch, cancellation or a downgrade to the $5.99 ad-supported tier is worth considering. Stopee recommends checking your account to confirm exactly which tier you're on before you make a final decision.

Common reasons people cancel CBS all access

Your reason for canceling matters because it affects your timeline and whether you might be eligible for a refund.

Cost control and budget cuts

This is the most common driver. When streaming services multiply-Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Paramount+, Apple TV+-the collective monthly bill can exceed $80 or $100. Subscribers often cancel one or two services to bring their total spending under control. If this is your situation, you're not alone. The Federal Trade Commission has documented rising consumer complaints about subscription stacking and billing surprise.

Unexpected charges after a free trial

A significant complaint involves free trial conversions. You signed up for a 7-day or 30-day free trial, forgot about it, and suddenly a charge appeared on your credit card. This is a major cancellation trigger, and importantly, it may entitle you to a refund under the FTC's Negative Option Rule. Stopee advisors flag this category because you have consumer protections here. If you were not given clear, conspicuous pre-authorization to charge your payment method before the trial ended, you may have grounds to dispute the charge or request a refund.

Confusion about where the charge originates

You see a mysterious charge labeled "PARAMOUNT" or "CBS" on your credit card statement but don't recognize it or remember signing up. Or you bought the subscription through a device like Roku and now cannot find where to cancel it. This frustration drives many cancellations. Stopee's step-by-step guidance helps you pinpoint the exact source so you can cancel confidently.

Content satisfaction and plan fit

The library no longer appeals to you, or you realize you prefer another platform's originals. Paramount+ has strong sports and news coverage plus shows like Yellowstone and 1883, but if your tastes have shifted, the service no longer justifies the expense.

Direct cancellation methods: step-by-step

If you subscribed directly to CBS All Access or Paramount+ (not through a device marketplace), follow these exact steps to cancel.

How to cancel online via your account

This is the fastest and most reliable method. You'll have instant confirmation and a record of your request.

1. Go to paramount.com or cbs.com/all-access/account in your web browser.
2. Log in with your email and password.
   • If you forget your password, click "Forgot password?" and follow the email recovery steps.
3. Navigate to "Account settings" or "Manage subscription."
   • The exact label varies, but it's always under your profile menu or account section.
4. Locate your current plan and click "Cancel subscription" or "Manage plan."
   • The system may offer a downgrade (e.g., to the ad-supported tier at $5.99) as an alternative.
   • Do not click this unless you want to keep the service at a lower price.
5. Confirm your cancellation reason (optional survey).
   • Your feedback helps, but you can skip this step.
6. Click the final "Confirm cancellation" button.
   • Pro tip: Screenshot this confirmation page or the confirmation email for your records. You will need this if a charge appears after cancellation.
7. Check your email within 2 minutes for a confirmation message from Paramount+.
   • If you don't receive it, log back in and verify that your subscription status now shows "Cancelled" or "Inactive."

Cancellation via phone with customer service

If you prefer speaking to a human or your online account is giving you trouble, call Paramount+ customer service. Phone verification can be especially helpful if you're disputing a charge or need to confirm the exact cancellation date for a refund claim.

1. Call (888) 274-5343.
   • Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM to midnight EST.
   • Have your account email and a government ID nearby.
2. Press the menu option for "Account or billing support" or say "Cancel subscription."
3. Wait for a representative. Call times average 5 to 12 minutes, depending on volume.
4. Tell the representative you want to cancel your CBS All Access or Paramount+ subscription.
   • They may ask why and offer downgrade alternatives.
   • If you're certain, politely decline and say, "I'd like to proceed with full cancellation."
5. Confirm your name, email, and last four digits of the payment method on file.
   • This verifies you own the account.
6. Listen carefully as the representative confirms the cancellation date and any final charge date.
   • Pro tip: Ask them to repeat the effective cancellation date and note it in your phone immediately.
7. Request the representative's name and a reference number for the cancellation.
   • Write both down. This is your proof if disputes arise later.
8. Ask, "Will I still be charged next month?" to confirm the cancellation took effect.
   • The answer should be "No."

Canceling through device marketplaces and third-party platforms

This is where the process diverges significantly. If your CBS All Access or Paramount+ subscription is attached to Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, Roku, or another platform, you must cancel through that platform, not directly through Paramount's website. Stopping the subscription at Paramount+ won't work because the billing relationship is with the marketplace, not CBS.

How to cancel via amazon prime video channels

1. Open amazon.com and log into your account.
2. Hover over your account icon and click "Your account."
3. Select "Memberships and subscriptions" (sometimes labeled "Digital purchases").
4. Find the Paramount+ or CBS All Access entry in the list.
5. Click "Manage membership" or "Manage subscription."
6. Click "Cancel" or "End membership" at the bottom of the page.
   • Warning: Amazon may show a discounted offer to keep the subscription. Do not accept unless you genuinely want to continue.
7. Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
   • You'll receive a confirmation email from Amazon confirming the end date.

How to cancel via apple TV channels

1. On your iPhone or iPad: Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap "Subscriptions."
3. Find "Paramount+" or "CBS All Access" in the active subscriptions list.
4. Tap it and select "Cancel subscription."
   • If using a Mac, go to System Preferences, click Apple ID, then Subscriptions, then find and cancel Paramount+.
5. Confirm your cancellation when prompted.
   • Apple will email a confirmation to your associated Apple ID email address.

How to cancel via roku channel

1. On your Roku device, go to Home and select your Roku account icon.
2. Choose "Subscriptions."
3. Scroll to find Paramount+ or CBS All Access.
4. Select it and choose "Manage" or "Cancel subscription."
5. Confirm the cancellation.
   • Roku will send a confirmation to your account email within minutes.

Stopee recommends taking a screenshot of each cancellation confirmation, regardless of which platform you use. These become essential if you need to dispute a charge with your credit card company or file a complaint with the FTC.

Understanding your refund rights under federal law

The FTC's Negative Option Rule and the CAN-SPAM Act give you specific protections regarding subscriptions, free trials, and charges. Knowing your rights empowers you to recover money if CBS All Access or Paramount+ charged you improperly.

Free trial billing violations

If you started a free trial and a charge appeared on your credit card without your clear, written consent before the trial ended, you likely have a refund claim. The FTC requires that companies:

• Obtain your affirmative, informed consent before charging you.
• Provide a clear, conspicuous cancellation mechanism before you're charged.
• Send a reminder email or message 3 to 7 days before the trial ends, showing the amount you'll be charged and how to cancel.

If Paramount+ did not send a pre-charge reminder, you may request a full refund of the first charge. File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov if the company refuses.

Unauthorized recurring charges

If you cancelled but were charged after your cancellation date, or if your cancellation confirmation shows a date but Paramount+ kept charging you, this is a billing error. You have the right to:

• Request a refund of all charges after your cancellation date.
• Dispute the charge with your credit card company (chargeback).
• File a complaint with your state's Attorney General.

Stopee advises keeping all cancellation confirmations, screenshots, and billing statements for at least one year. These documents are your proof in a dispute.

What happens immediately after you cancel

You've just submitted your cancellation. Here's what to expect in the minutes and days that follow.

Immediate access loss

Within 5 to 10 minutes of confirming cancellation online, your streaming credentials stop working. If you're logged into the Paramount+ app on a TV or device, you may stay logged in for a short time, but you cannot stream anything. Log out and back in to confirm the cancellation took effect. After logging back in, the system will display a message such as "Your subscription has been cancelled" or "Access unavailable."

Billing timeline and final charges

The final charge (if any) depends on your cancellation timing relative to your billing cycle:

• If you cancel before your billing date, no additional charge occurs.
• If you cancel after your billing date but before the next cycle, you are typically not charged again.
• If you cancel mid-cycle on a monthly subscription, you lose access immediately but may have already paid for that month. Most services do not prorate refunds for mid-cycle cancellations.

Check your credit card statement 3 to 5 business days after cancellation to confirm no new charge appears. If a charge posts after your cancellation date, contact Paramount+ customer service immediately with your cancellation confirmation and reference number.

Refund eligibility and timing

Paramount+ generally does not issue refunds for past charges unless a billing error occurred or a free trial violation happened. However, under the FTC Negative Option Rule, you may be entitled to a refund if:

• You were charged during a free trial without prior consent.
• You were not given a clear, conspicuous cancellation method before being charged.
• You were charged after cancellation due to a system error.

If any of these apply, email Paramount+ customer support with your cancellation confirmation and request a refund. If they refuse, escalate to the FTC or your state's consumer protection office. Stopee has guided consumers through successful FTC refund claims in similar situations.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

Canceling should be simple, but small errors can leave you stuck paying or uncertain whether the cancellation worked. Here are the pitfalls Stopee sees most often.

Confusing a downgrade with a cancellation

When you log into your account, Paramount+ often offers a lower-priced plan (e.g., the $5.99 ad-supported tier). Clicking this option downgrades your subscription-you stay a customer. Many people accidentally downgrade when they meant to cancel. Always look for a "Cancel subscription" button, not "Change plan" or "Downgrade."

Canceling in the wrong place

This is the biggest trap. You have an Amazon Prime Video Channel subscription but try to cancel through paramount.com. The cancellation appears to work, but Amazon continues charging you because it controls the billing. Always trace your charge back to its source using your credit card or bank statement, then cancel on that exact platform.

Forgetting to confirm a phone cancellation in writing

You call customer service and verbally cancel, but you don't get the representative's name, reference number, or confirmation email. Weeks later, you're charged again, and you have no proof of your cancellation request. Always ask for a reference number and a confirmation email. Follow up with a written email to Paramount+ support saying, "I cancelled my subscription on [date] with [reference number]. Please confirm this in writing."

Not checking your account after cancellation

You cancel online, receive an email confirmation, and assume you're done. But you don't verify in your account that your subscription status now shows "Cancelled." A small percentage of cancellations fail due to system glitches. Log back into your account 24 hours after cancellation and confirm that your subscription status has changed. If it hasn't, cancel again immediately and call customer service.

Losing your confirmation documents

Confirmation emails often go to spam, or you forget to save the screenshot. If a dispute arises, you have no proof. Screenshot every cancellation confirmation and save it to your phone or computer. Stopee recommends creating a folder called "Subscription Cancellations" where you keep copies of all confirmations for at least one year.

Your cancellation checklist

Use this list to ensure you've completed every step and protected yourself from future charges.

When to keep CBS all access vs. when to cancel

Before you finalize cancellation, consider whether downgrading or pausing might work better for you.

Dispute resolution and escalation paths

If Paramount+ refuses to honor your cancellation or refund request, you have formal escalation options.

Step 1: contact customer service in writing

Email Paramount+ support with the subject line "Cancellation Dispute - [Your Reference Number]." Include your cancellation confirmation, the date you cancelled, and the charge you're disputing. Request a written response within 7 business days. Save this email and any response.

Step 2: file a complaint with the federal trade commission

Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov and file a consumer complaint. Provide your cancellation confirmation, billing statement showing the unauthorized charge, and the date you cancelled. The FTC investigates patterns of consumer complaints and may take action against Paramount+ if violations are widespread.

Step 3: dispute with your credit card company or bank

Contact your credit card issuer and request a chargeback or dispute for the unauthorized charge. Provide your cancellation confirmation and proof that the charge posted after cancellation. Banks have a strong incentive to protect cardholders from unauthorized charges and often rule in your favor quickly (within 30 to 45 days).

Step 4: report to your state's attorney general

If the company refuses to refund unauthorized charges, file a complaint with your state Attorney General's office. Many states have consumer protection divisions that take action against subscription billing violations. Stopee recommends this step if you're owed $50 or more and Paramount+ refuses to respond.

Contact information and next steps

Here's where to reach Paramount+ and file formal complaints if you need them:

• Paramount+ customer service: (888) 274-5343, daily 8 AM-midnight EST
• Paramount+ email support: support@paramountplus.com
• Paramount+ account management: paramount.com or cbs.com/all-access/account
• Federal Trade Commission complaint: reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: consumerfinance.gov/complaint
• State Attorney General: naag.org (locate your state's office)

Stopping a recurring charge is a fundamental consumer right, and you deserve a straightforward, transparent process. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations, dispute unauthorized charges, and reclaim control of their billing. Whether you're canceling CBS All Access to cut costs, switch to a cheaper service, or eliminate unwanted recurring charges, follow the steps in this guide, keep your documentation, and don't hesitate to escalate to the FTC or your bank if the company refuses to honor your cancellation. You have the power here-use it.