Cancel CBS All Access: The Right Way

How to cancel CBS All Access (now paramount+) without losing your refund or your rights

Why you might cancel CBS All Access and what to know first

CBS All Access, now operating as Paramount+, offers live local CBS broadcasts, on-demand shows, and exclusive originals across the United States. If you signed up years ago or through a device like Roku, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV, you likely still see "CBS All Access" in your billing or account settings, even though Paramount+ is the current brand. This rebranding created real confusion for subscribers trying to understand where their subscription lives, how much they pay, and most importantly, how to cancel it properly.

At Tocancel, we understand that streaming services accumulate quickly. A subscription that once fit your budget or entertainment needs may no longer serve you. Whether you're cutting costs, consolidating services, or simply no longer watching the content, you have the right to cancel without penalty. The key is knowing your cancellation method depends entirely on where you purchased your subscription, and taking action before your next billing date.

The rebranding reality: CBS All Access is now paramount+

In 2021, CBS rebranded CBS All Access to Paramount+ as part of a larger streaming strategy. However, many legacy subscribers still see "CBS All Access" in their account settings, especially if they subscribed before the transition. Your billing statements may show either name depending on your subscription source. This creates a critical issue: if you search for "cancel CBS All Access" but your account actually lives in the Paramount+ ecosystem, you might spend time in the wrong place. Tocancel's guidance clarifies this confusion by walking you through the exact platform where your subscription actually exists.

Direct billing versus third-party platform billing

Your subscription is tied to one of two billing systems. If you subscribed directly at cbs.com, paramount.com, or through the Paramount+ app, you manage cancellation through those channels. If you purchased through Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, Roku, YouTube TV, or another marketplace, that third party handles your billing and cancellation. This distinction is non-negotiable: canceling in the wrong place will fail. Tocancel has guided thousands of consumers through this exact step because it determines everything about your cancellation process and refund eligibility.

Paramount+ pricing tiers and your monthly cost

Understanding what you pay helps you decide whether to cancel outright or downgrade to a lower tier.

Before you cancel, check your last three billing statements. If you're paying $11.99 or more monthly and rarely watch content, cancellation or a downgrade to the $5.99 ad-supported plan may save you $40 or more per year. Review your actual viewing habits over the past 30 days; if you haven't opened the app, cancellation is the logical choice.

Your consumer rights and why the federal trade commission protects you

As a consumer in the United States, you have explicit legal protections when canceling subscription services. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA), which requires streaming services to obtain your clear, affirmative consent before charging you and to make cancellation as easy as signup.

Your legal position under federal law

You have the right to cancel your subscription without penalty, hidden fees, or unnecessary friction. Paramount+ must allow you to cancel through the same method you used to subscribe-if you signed up online, you can cancel online. The service cannot require you to call a phone number or send a letter if the original signup was digital. You also have the right to receive a clear, written confirmation of your cancellation. If Paramount+ charges you after you cancel, you can dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company and file a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

What happens to your access after cancellation

Once you cancel, you lose all access to content, downloads, and live broadcasts immediately. Your login credentials stop working within minutes. If you paid for access through the current billing cycle, you may still have a few days left-check your confirmation email to confirm your access end date. Paramount+ does not offer pro-rata refunds (partial refunds for the remaining days in your cycle) unless you cancel within the free trial period or within a specific window for annual plans.

How to cancel CBS All Access based on where you subscribed

Your cancellation method depends on your billing platform; follow the steps for your specific subscription source.

Cancel if you subscribed directly at paramount+ or CBS All Access online

If you signed up at paramount.com, cbs.com, or through the Paramount+ app and entered your payment card directly, follow these steps:

1. Go to paramount.com or cbs.com and log in with your email and password.
   • If you forget your password, click "Forgot password" and follow the reset link sent to your email.
2. Click on your profile icon or "Account" in the top-right corner.
   • On mobile apps, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select "Account".
3. Navigate to "Subscription" or "Billing" in your account settings.
   • You will see your current plan name, renewal date, and payment method.
4. Click "Manage subscription" or "Cancel subscription".
   • Do not close the page; confirm you see the cancellation option before proceeding.
5. Select your reason for cancellation from the dropdown menu.
   • Paramount+ asks this for feedback; your answer does not affect the cancellation.
6. Click "Cancel subscription" to confirm.
   • You will receive an on-screen confirmation and an email receipt within 5 minutes.

Save your cancellation confirmation email as proof. If Paramount+ charges you again after this date, you have documented evidence of your cancellation request.

Cancel if you subscribed through amazon prime video channels

If you added CBS All Access or Paramount+ as a Prime Video Channel, you must cancel through Amazon, not Paramount's website:

1. Go to amazon.com and log in with your Amazon account.
   • Use the same account you use to subscribe to Prime Video Channels.
2. Hover over "Account and Lists" in the top-right corner and click "Your Account".
   • On mobile, tap the menu icon and select "Account".
3. Select "Prime Video" from the menu on the left side.
   • Click "Manage Prime Video Channels" or "Channel Subscriptions".
4. Locate "Paramount+" or "CBS All Access" in your active channels list.
   • If you don't see it, check "Suspended Channels" to confirm it exists.
5. Click the channel name or the "Edit" button next to it.
   • A detail panel will open showing your subscription status and renewal date.
6. Click "Cancel channel" or "Unsubscribe".
   • Amazon will show your final access date (usually the end of your current billing period).
7. Confirm the cancellation by clicking "Cancel" again.
   • You will receive an on-screen confirmation and an email from Amazon within minutes.

Amazon handles the charge, not Paramount+, so your cancellation confirmation comes from Amazon's system.

Cancel if you subscribed through apple TV channels

If you added CBS All Access or Paramount+ through Apple TV Channels on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV, follow Apple's process:

1. On iPhone or iPad: Open the Settings app and tap your Apple ID at the top.
   • On Mac: Open System Preferences, click your Apple ID, and select "Subscriptions".
   • On Apple TV: Open Settings, go to Users and Accounts, select your account, and choose "Subscriptions".
2. Tap "Subscriptions" (or "Media and Purchases" on some devices).
   • You will see all active and canceled subscriptions linked to your Apple ID.
3. Find "Paramount+" or "CBS All Access" in the list.
   • Tap the channel name to see your renewal date and payment details.
4. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or the X icon next to the channel.
   • Apple will confirm your final access date.
5. Tap "Confirm" to finalize the cancellation.
   • Apple sends a cancellation confirmation email from Apple Account Services within 1-2 hours.

Apple bills directly to your Apple ID, so this cancellation is handled entirely within the Apple ecosystem.

Cancel if you subscribed through roku channel

If CBS All Access or Paramount+ is active through your Roku account:

1. Go to roku.com and log in with your Roku account email and password.
   • On your Roku device, go to Settings > Subscriptions (if available on your model).
2. Click on your profile icon or "My Account" in the top-right corner.
   • Select "Manage Subscriptions" or "Your Subscriptions".
3. Locate "Paramount+" or "CBS All Access" in your active subscriptions.
   • Click the subscription to open the details panel.
4. Click "Cancel subscription" or "Remove".
   • Roku will display your final access date and billing date.
5. Confirm by clicking "Cancel" or "Yes, remove".
   • Roku sends a confirmation email to your account email address within 5 minutes.

Keep your Roku confirmation email in case any charges appear after your cancellation date.

Cancel by phone if online cancellation fails

If you cannot cancel online or encounter errors, call Paramount+ customer service directly at (888) 274-5343. Hours are daily from 8 a.m. to midnight EST. Have your account email, current plan name, and account creation date ready. Request a confirmation number for your cancellation, and ask the representative to email you a written confirmation. This creates a backup record if billing continues after your call.

Refunds and what to expect after cancellation

Paramount+ does not issue refunds for partial months unless you cancel during a free trial or within a promotional period. Your cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, and you retain access until that date.

Refund eligibility and free trial cancellations

If you signed up for a free trial and cancel before the trial ends, you will not be charged. Free trials typically last 7 days; cancellation within this window prevents any charge. If you paid for a subscription and cancel mid-cycle, you do not receive a refund for unused days. However, if Paramount+ charged you after you cancelled, or if you canceled but were billed again, you have the right to dispute the charge through your bank or credit card company. Contact your card issuer's fraud department and provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. The bank will reverse unauthorized charges within 5-10 business days.

Timeline for access loss and final charges

You keep your access until the end of your current billing period. If your renewal date is January 15 and you cancel on January 5, you can watch until January 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Paramount+ will not charge you on January 15. If your renewal date has already passed and you canceled late, your access ends immediately, but you are not owed a refund. Log in after cancellation to confirm the end date; it appears in your account settings or confirmation email.

Common mistakes that delay or block your cancellation

Cancellation seems simple, but small errors cause real frustration. Here's how to avoid them:

Mistake 1: canceling in the wrong place

This is the most common error. You call Paramount+ customer service, but you subscribed through Amazon Prime Video Channels. Paramount+ cannot cancel a subscription they don't control; Amazon must do it. Always verify your billing platform before contacting support. Check your last credit card or bank statement. If the charge says "Amazon.com" or "APPLE.COM", cancel there. If it says "PARAMOUNT" or "CBS INTERACTIVE", cancel on their website.

Mistake 2: failing to screenshot or save confirmation emails

You cancel online, see an on-screen confirmation, but delete the email that follows. Three weeks later, Paramount+ charges you again. Without saved proof, disputing the charge is harder. Screenshot your cancellation confirmation page before closing the browser. Save the confirmation email to a folder labeled "Cancellations". This evidence protects you if you need to contact your bank or file a complaint.

Mistake 3: confusing "pause subscription" with cancellation

Some streaming services offer a "pause" option that temporarily stops billing but keeps your account active. Tocancel advises you to read the on-screen options carefully. If you see "Pause subscription" and "Cancel subscription", these are different. Pausing resumes charges after 30 days; cancellation ends the subscription permanently. Choose "Cancel" if you do not intend to return.

Mistake 4: canceling on the last day of your cycle

If your renewal date is tomorrow and you cancel tonight, Paramount+ may already have charged you for the next cycle. Cancellation stops future charges but does not refund the charge that already posted. Cancel at least 3-5 days before your renewal date to prevent an unwanted charge. Check your account settings to see your exact renewal date, then calendar a cancellation reminder for 5 days before.

What happens after your cancellation is confirmed

The cancellation process doesn't end with a confirmation email; understanding what comes next helps you stay protected. Within 24 hours of cancellation, your account status changes from "Active" to "Canceled" or "Ending on [date]". You retain full access until your access end date. After that date, your login credentials stop working immediately. Any offline downloads you made expire at the same time and cannot be accessed.

Monitoring your account and watching for unexpected charges

Log back into your Paramount+ account 48 hours after cancellation and verify the status shows "Canceled" or lists your final access date. This confirms the cancellation took effect. Over the next three billing cycles, review your bank or credit card statements for any Paramount+ or CBS charges. If you see a charge after your cancellation date, contact your card issuer immediately. Reference your cancellation confirmation email and request a chargeback. Most banks reverse subscription charges within 5-10 business days.

If you change your mind and want to resubscribe

Cancellation is permanent; if you resubscribe, you start a new account and lose access to your watchlist, saved shows, and profile settings. Any free trial you used before does not qualify again unless Paramount+ runs a new promotional offer. Resubscription is treated as a brand-new customer signup. If you simply want to pause your subscription, contact Paramount+ support before canceling; they may offer a pause option in your region.

Comparison: should you cancel or downgrade paramount+

Cancellation is not always the best option. Sometimes downgrading saves money while keeping access to content you enjoy.

If you're paying $11.99 and watch less than once per week, downgrading to $5.99 saves $72 per year. If you haven't logged in for 30 days, cancellation is the right call. Compare this against your actual usage before you commit to cancellation.

Cancellation checklist and final protection steps

Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and your account is protected:

• Identify your billing platform (Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, Roku, etc.)
• Log in to the correct account and verify your current plan name and renewal date
• Navigate to the subscription or billing settings section
• Click "Cancel subscription" and select a reason for cancellation
• Receive and save your on-screen confirmation and confirmation email
• Screenshot the confirmation page before closing your browser
• Log in again 48 hours later and confirm your account status shows "Canceled"
• Set a calendar reminder to check your bank statement for unexpected charges 30 days after cancellation
• Keep all cancellation emails in a dedicated folder for at least 6 months
• If a charge appears after cancellation, dispute it with your bank within 60 days and reference your cancellation email

Why tocancel helps thousands cancel subscriptions every month

Canceling a streaming subscription should be simple, but confusion about billing platforms, refund policies, and consumer rights creates unnecessary stress. At Tocancel, we've helped thousands of subscribers navigate cancellation across every major platform-Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Roku, and many others. Our approach is straightforward: understand your rights under federal law, identify exactly where your subscription lives, and take the correct action in the right place. We provide step-by-step guidance without the jargon, so you feel confident from start to finish. Whether you're cutting costs or simply moving on, Tocancel empowers you to cancel on your terms, keep records of your cancellation, and protect yourself from unexpected charges.

Your subscription is a contract between you and Paramount+, not a trap designed to keep your money. The Federal Trade Commission enforces your right to cancel easily, and your bank protects you if charges continue after cancellation. Take action today. Log into your account, follow the steps for your billing platform, save your confirmation, and reclaim that $5.99 to $11.99 per month. Tocancel is here to guide you through every step-visit tocancel.com whenever you need clarity on canceling any subscription service.