Yes, Paramount Plus carries CBS shows, but not all of them

Paramount Plus includes a large library of CBS television programs — both current episodes and older seasons. The service streams new episodes of CBS shows the day after they air on broadcast television, and it holds back-catalogs of many series that ran for years. However, not every CBS show ends up on Paramount Plus, and some shows move between services or disappear when licensing agreements end.

The reason is straightforward: Paramount Plus is owned by Paramount Global, which also owns CBS. That ownership means Paramount Plus gets first claim on many CBS programs. But CBS also licenses shows to other streaming services, sells them to cable networks, and keeps some content exclusive to broadcast for a set period. What you find on Paramount Plus depends on the show, when it aired, and what deal was struck with any other networks or platforms involved.

Key Takeaways

  • New episodes of most CBS shows land on Paramount Plus the day after they broadcast, but only if you have a paid subscription tier that includes live TV or on-demand content.
  • Older seasons of long-running CBS series like The Good Wife, NCIS, and Star Trek: The Next Generation are available on Paramount Plus, though some shows have only partial catalogs.
  • Some CBS shows are licensed to other services like Netflix or Apple TV Plus instead, so they will not appear on Paramount Plus even though CBS owns them.
  • Paramount Plus removes shows when licensing deals expire, so a series you watched last year may no longer be available this year.

Which CBS shows are actually on Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus carries current seasons of shows like Ghosts, The Equalizer, NCIS, NCIS: Hawai'i, Young Sheldon, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Price Is Right, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The service also holds back-catalogs of older CBS dramas and comedies, including The Good Wife, Frasier, Cheers, and Star Trek series. Reality shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race are there too, though usually only recent seasons.

The catch is that availability varies by subscription tier. Paramount Plus offers a free tier with ads and limited content, a standard paid tier with ads, and a premium tier without ads. New CBS episodes typically require the paid tiers, and some older seasons may only be available to premium subscribers. The free tier usually has a smaller selection of older shows and clips rather than full episodes.

To find out whether a specific show is on Paramount Plus right now, search for it directly in the app or on the Paramount Plus website. The catalog changes regularly as licensing agreements expire and new deals are made, so a show that is there today may not be there in six months.

Why some CBS shows are not on Paramount Plus

CBS licenses some of its shows to competing services. For example, The Office — which aired on NBC but is owned by a company with CBS ties — streams on Netflix and Peacock, not Paramount Plus. Similarly, some CBS shows have deals with Apple TV Plus, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu that prevent them from appearing on Paramount Plus during the contract period.

Older shows sometimes stay off Paramount Plus because the rights holders — which may include production companies, studios, or international broadcasters — have not agreed to let Paramount Plus stream them. Renegotiating these deals takes time and money, so Paramount Plus prioritizes shows that draw large audiences or that it owns outright.

International licensing also affects what you see. A CBS show may be available on Paramount Plus in the United States but not in Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia, because different companies own the streaming rights in different countries.

How to find CBS shows on Paramount Plus

Open the Paramount Plus app or website and use the search bar to type the show name. If it appears in the results, you can see how many seasons are available, which tier you need to watch it, and whether new episodes are coming. Paramount Plus also has a "CBS" category or section where you can browse shows by genre — drama, comedy, reality, news, and sports.

If a show does not appear in search results, it is not currently on Paramount Plus. You can check other services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV Plus, or wait to see if it returns to Paramount Plus later. Some shows rotate on and off the service as licensing agreements renew or expire.

When new CBS episodes arrive on Paramount Plus

Most CBS shows that air on broadcast television on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday nights appear on Paramount Plus the next day, usually in the morning. Shows that air on Wednesday through Saturday typically land on Paramount Plus the following Monday. This timing applies to the paid subscription tiers; the free tier may get episodes later or not at all.

Live CBS broadcasts are available on Paramount Plus only if you have a tier that includes live TV — usually the premium ad-free plan or a plan bundled with a cable subscription. If you only have the basic paid tier with ads, you will see on-demand episodes the next day but not the live broadcast itself.

What happens when a show leaves Paramount Plus

When a licensing agreement expires, Paramount Plus removes the show from the service. You will no longer be able to stream it, even if you watched it before. The show may return later if a new deal is made, or it may move permanently to another service.

Before a show is removed, Paramount Plus usually sends a notification to users who have watched it or added it to their watchlist. If you want to finish a series before it disappears, check the app for removal dates and plan accordingly. Some shows give users 30 days' notice; others may remove content with less warning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch CBS live on Paramount Plus?

Yes, but only with certain subscription tiers. The premium ad-free plan and some bundled plans include a live CBS feed. The basic paid tier with ads does not include live TV — you get on-demand episodes the next day instead. The free tier has neither live TV nor next-day episodes for most shows.

Are all seasons of a CBS show on Paramount Plus?

No. Most shows have partial catalogs on Paramount Plus. For example, you might find seasons 5 through 10 of a 15-season series, but not seasons 1 through 4. Check the show's page on Paramount Plus to see exactly which seasons are available.

If a CBS show moves to another streaming service, can I still watch it on Paramount Plus?

No. Once a show's licensing agreement with Paramount Plus ends, it is removed from the service. If it moves to Netflix, Hulu, or another platform, you will need a subscription to that service to watch it. Some shows eventually return to Paramount Plus if a new deal is made.

Why is a CBS show I watched last month no longer on Paramount Plus?

The licensing agreement expired. Paramount Plus does not own every show it streams — it licenses them from production companies and studios. When the contract ends, the show is removed. Check the Paramount Plus app for notifications about shows leaving the service, or search for the show on other streaming platforms.

Do I need cable to watch CBS shows on Paramount Plus?

No. You only need a Paramount Plus subscription. The paid tiers give you access to on-demand episodes and, depending on the plan, live CBS broadcasts. You do not need a cable subscription or a cable login to use Paramount Plus.