What Paramount Plus shows and what it doesn't

Paramount Plus carries some NFL games, but not all Packers games. The service shows games from the CBS broadcast schedule — which means you can watch Packers games when CBS has the rights to broadcast them. Packers games that air on Fox, NBC, ESPN, or Amazon Prime Video will not be on Paramount Plus, even if you have a subscription.

CBS broadcasts Packers games during the regular season on Sundays at 1 p.m. Eastern time (when the Packers play in the AFC or are the home team in an NFC matchup). Paramount Plus streams these same games live, so if CBS is showing the game in your area, you can watch it on the app or website instead of on cable.

Playoff games and the Super Bowl are usually on CBS or Fox, depending on the year. If CBS has the playoff game, Paramount Plus will stream it. If Fox has it, you will need a different service.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus only streams games that CBS broadcasts, which is roughly one-third of the Packers' regular season schedule.
  • You need an active Paramount Plus subscription to watch — the free tier does not include live sports.
  • Games stream live at the same time they air on CBS, and you can also watch replays on demand after the game ends.
  • Check your local CBS affiliate before game day to confirm the game is being broadcast in your area, since some games are regional.
  • If the Packers game is on Fox, NBC, ESPN, or Amazon Prime, you will need to watch on that network's app or service instead.

Which subscription tier you need

Only the Paramount Plus with Showtime plan includes live sports. The basic Paramount Plus subscription (called Essential or Standard, depending on your region) does not stream live NFL games, even if you pay for it.

The Paramount Plus with Showtime tier costs more than the base plan but includes all live CBS sports — NFL, NCAA football, golf, and others. You can watch on up to four screens at once with this plan, depending on which version you choose. If you already have Paramount Plus but only the basic tier, you will need to upgrade to watch the game live.

How to find the game on the app or website

Open the Paramount Plus app on your phone, tablet, smart TV, or computer. On the home screen, look for a Sports section or tab — this is where live games appear. You can also search for "Packers" or "NFL" in the search bar to see upcoming games and replays.

On game day, the live stream usually becomes available 15 to 30 minutes before kickoff. Click on the game tile and select Watch Live. The stream will show the same broadcast as CBS, with the same announcers and commercials. If you miss the game, replays are posted on demand within a few hours after the final whistle.

Checking if the game broadcasts in your area

Not every Packers game airs in every part of the country. CBS divides the country into regions and shows different games in different areas. Before game day, visit CBS.com or open the CBS app and check the NFL schedule for your zip code. This tells you which game CBS is broadcasting in your region that Sunday.

If the Packers game is not listed for your area, CBS is not showing it regionally, and Paramount Plus will not have it either. In that case, the game is on a different network — check the NFL schedule on NFL.com to see which one. Some games are also exclusive to streaming services like Amazon Prime Video or ESPN Plus, which require separate subscriptions.

Streaming quality and connection requirements

Paramount Plus recommends a minimum internet speed of 5 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your connection is slower, the video may buffer or drop to lower quality during the game. Test your speed before kickoff using a free tool like Speedtest.net.

If you are streaming on a smart TV, connect it to your router with an ethernet cable if possible — this is more stable than Wi-Fi. If you must use Wi-Fi, position your device close to the router and away from other devices that are using bandwidth (like someone streaming video in another room).

What to do if the game is blacked out

Blackout rules are rare for Paramount Plus, but they can happen. If a game is blacked out in your region, it means the local CBS affiliate has exclusive rights to broadcast it, and the streaming service cannot show it in that area. You would need to watch on your local CBS channel instead.

Blackouts are most common for games involving your home team's local market. If you live in Wisconsin or the surrounding region, some Packers games may be blacked out on streaming and only available on the local CBS station. Check the Paramount Plus app on game day — if the game is blacked out, you will see a message explaining why and directing you to watch on CBS.

Comparing Paramount Plus to other ways to watch

If you want to watch all Packers games, not just the CBS ones, you have other options. NFL Plus is a streaming service run by the NFL itself and shows out-of-market games (games not broadcast in your region), but it does not include local or primetime games. YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and Fubo are cable-replacement services that include CBS and other networks, so they show all Packers games that air on any network.

These cable-replacement services cost more than Paramount Plus but give you access to the full NFL schedule plus other channels. If you only want to watch Packers games on CBS and do not care about other sports, Paramount Plus with Showtime is the cheapest option. If you want to catch every Packers game regardless of which network broadcasts it, a cable-replacement service is worth the extra cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Packers games on the free version of Paramount Plus?

No. The free tier of Paramount Plus does not include live sports. You must have a paid Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription to stream NFL games, including Packers games on CBS.

What if the Packers game is on Fox instead of CBS?

Paramount Plus only carries CBS games. If the Packers are playing on Fox, you will need to watch on the Fox app, Fox.com, or cable. You can check the NFL schedule on NFL.com to see which network is broadcasting each game.

Can I watch replays of Packers games after they air?

Yes. Paramount Plus posts game replays on demand within a few hours after the game ends. You can watch the full game or highlights anytime after that, as long as your subscription is active.

Do I need cable to watch Packers games on Paramount Plus?

No. You only need a Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription and an internet connection. You do not need a cable login or cable subscription.

Why is the Packers game not showing up on Paramount Plus?

The most common reason is that CBS is not broadcasting the game in your region that week. Check CBS.com or the CBS app with your zip code to see which game CBS is showing in your area. If the Packers game is not listed, it is on a different network that week.