FREE Paramount Plus with Origin Energy internet: Is it worth it?

Stream your favourite TV shows and films for 12 months with this new deal from Origin.

Origin Energy, 1 of Australia's 3 largest energy providers, is also in the internet business.

Right now it offers a 12-month subscription to Paramount Plus for $0 with any of its internet plans.

These include the following:

• Everyday nbn 25 from $74 per month
• Experience nbn 50 from $84 per month
• Enthusiast nbn 100 from $104 per month
• Super fast nbn 250 from $134 per month
• Ultra fast nbn 1000 from $154 per month

We did say all internet plans, didn't we? This also includes Origin's Fibre and Faster fibre internet plans.

• What's the catch? To take advantage of this deal, you'll need to be both a new Origin internet and a new Paramount Plus customer.

This Origin internet deal is available from now until 13 November 2022. Once your internet service is live, Origin will email you a unique link with instructions on how to activate your Paramount Plus offer.

What can you watch on Paramount Plus?

Paramount Plus is home to a range of classics and revivals.

It has everything from South Park and Cheers to brand new shows such as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Halo or the critically acclaimed Yellowjackets.

It's also the only place you can stream and watch every A-League football game.

You can see the 25 best shows to stream on Paramount Plus for an idea of what else is available or start a 7-day free trial.

What's an Origin internet plan like?

Origin is one of the few internet providers to have Australia-based support should you run into trouble.

Origin quotes typical evening speeds close the maximum speed of each NBN speed tier it sells. For example, when you purchase an Origin NBN 50 plan, you can expect typical download speeds of 48Mbps, which is just under the maximum of 50Mbps.

It also offers a next-day NBN connection service when you sign up before 1pm. It's handy if you're setting up a new NBN connection.

If your internet isn't connected by then, you can claim up to $100 per day towards related expenses. T&Cs apply.

Is signing up to Origin worth it?

Origin's internet plans are around $10 more expensive than the average plans we compare on Finder.

But that's before you apply any $10 bundle discount for having an Origin energy plan.

Let's compare Origin's NBN 50 plan ($84 per month) with free Paramount Plus for 12 months vs Exetel's NBN 50 plan ($53.95 per month for the first 6 months then $69.95 per month after) and a separate Paramount Plus subscription ($8.99 per month).

• Good to know: Exetel is offering the cheapest NBN 50 plan on Finder and the number 1 telco for reliable internet speeds according to the ACCC's latest report.

After 12 months, Origin's NBN 50 plan with free Paramount Plus will set you back $1,008 ($888 if you bundle it with an energy plan).

Exetel's NBN 50 plan and a separate Paramount Plus subscription would set you back a combined total of $851.28.

That's around $150 less or $30 less than if you'd bundled. On price alone, it's clear you'd be better off with another provider like Exetel and getting your Paramount Plus subscription separately.

However, it might be worth it for you if you value the convenience of having 2 of your utilities bundled under a single provider.