Yes, you can watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert live on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus streams new episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on weeknights at 11:35 p.m. Eastern time, the same moment they air on CBS. You do not need cable—a Paramount Plus subscription is all you need to watch live. The stream is available on the Paramount Plus app, website, or through connected TV devices.
The live stream requires an active Paramount Plus account. Both the ad-supported and ad-free tiers include live TV access, so you can choose whichever subscription level fits your budget. If you do not have Paramount Plus yet, you can sign up directly through the app or website.
Key Takeaways
- The Late Show airs live on Paramount Plus at 11:35 p.m. Eastern time every weeknight, matching the CBS broadcast time.
- Both Paramount Plus subscription tiers—with ads and ad-free—include access to live TV and The Late Show.
- You can watch on the Paramount Plus app, website, or on smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, and other connected devices.
- If you miss the live broadcast, full episodes are usually posted on-demand the next day.
How to find The Late Show in the Paramount Plus app
Open the Paramount Plus app and look for the "Live TV" tab or section—this is usually at the top of the home screen. Tap or click it, and you will see a channel guide showing what is currently broadcasting. CBS is listed with other channels. The Late Show appears in the guide at 11:35 p.m. Eastern time on weeknights.
If you want to tune in before the broadcast starts, you can navigate to the CBS channel in the guide a few minutes early. The stream will begin at the scheduled time. Some devices let you set a reminder so you do not forget when the show starts.
Watching on different devices
Paramount Plus works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. On a phone or tablet, read the Paramount Plus app from the App Store or Google Play, sign in, and go to Live TV. On a computer, visit paramountplus.com, sign in, and select Live TV from the menu. The experience is the same on all platforms—you get the live CBS feed at 11:35 p.m. Eastern.
For TV viewing, Paramount Plus is available on Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, and other connected devices. Search for "Paramount Plus" in your TV's app store, install it, sign in with your account, and select Live TV. The broadcast quality depends on your internet connection; a stable broadband connection of at least 8 Mbps is recommended for smooth HD streaming.
What happens if you miss the live broadcast
Full episodes of The Late Show are posted on-demand within Paramount Plus, usually the next day after the live broadcast. You can watch them anytime without needing to tune in at 11:35 p.m. The on-demand version includes the full show, including monologues, interviews, and musical performances.
On-demand episodes stay in the Paramount Plus library for an extended period, so you can catch up on recent shows or go back and watch older episodes. This is useful if you want to watch The Late Show on your own schedule rather than live.
Internet and streaming requirements
To stream The Late Show live without buffering, you need a stable internet connection. Paramount Plus recommends at least 8 Mbps for HD quality and 25 Mbps for 4K, though most home broadband connections meet these speeds. If your stream keeps stopping or pixelating, try moving closer to your router, closing other apps that use bandwidth, or restarting your device.
Live TV streams can use more data than on-demand video because they run continuously. If you have a data cap on your internet plan, keep this in mind if you watch live regularly. Streaming over Wi-Fi rather than mobile data is the most reliable option for live broadcasts.
Paramount Plus subscription tiers and live TV access
Paramount Plus offers two subscription options: the ad-supported plan and the ad-free plan. Both include live TV access, so you can watch The Late Show live on either tier. The ad-supported plan costs less but shows advertisements during the broadcast. The ad-free plan removes ads but costs more per month.
If you already subscribe to Paramount Plus for on-demand content, you already have access to live TV—no additional purchase is needed. straightforward navigate to the Live TV section in your app or on the website to start watching The Late Show at 11:35 p.m. Eastern on weeknights.
Troubleshooting common streaming issues
If the live stream will not load, first check that your internet connection is working by opening a web browser or another app. If other apps work fine, try signing out of Paramount Plus and signing back in. Close the app completely and reopen it. If you are on a phone or tablet, restart the device.
If the stream starts but keeps buffering, lower the video quality in the app settings if that option is available. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi. If the problem continues, contact Paramount Plus support through the app or website—they can check whether there is a known issue with the live stream at that time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cable to watch The Late Show live on Paramount Plus?
No. Paramount Plus is a standalone streaming service. You only need a Paramount Plus subscription and an internet connection. You do not need a cable TV package or a cable login.
Can I watch The Late Show live outside the United States?
Paramount Plus availability and live TV access vary by country. In the United States, live TV is included with both subscription tiers. If you are outside the US, check the Paramount Plus website for your region to see what is available in your location.
What time does The Late Show air on Paramount Plus?
The Late Show airs live at 11:35 p.m. Eastern time on weeknights. If you are in a different time zone, adjust accordingly—that is 10:35 p.m. Central, 9:35 p.m. Mountain, and 8:35 p.m. Pacific.
Can I record The Late Show on Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus does not offer a traditional recording feature for live TV. However, full episodes are posted on-demand the next day, and you can watch them anytime. You can also rewatch episodes you have already seen if they are still in the library.
Is The Late Show available on-demand if I miss the live broadcast?
Yes. Full episodes are posted on-demand within Paramount Plus, usually the next day. You can watch the complete episode including all segments, interviews, and musical performances whenever you want.