Paramount Plus does not carry live NFL games
Paramount Plus does not broadcast regular-season NFL games, playoff games, or the Super Bowl. The streaming service focuses on entertainment, movies, and some sports content, but the NFL is not part of its lineup.
If you want to watch NFL games through a streaming service, you will need a different platform. The main services that carry NFL content are CBS, Fox, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video — each with different games and schedules. Paramount Plus does own CBS, which broadcasts some NFL games, but you cannot watch those games through the Paramount Plus app itself.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus does not stream any NFL games, including regular season, playoffs, or the Super Bowl.
- CBS broadcasts some NFL games on Sunday afternoons, but you must watch through the CBS app or website, not Paramount Plus.
- Amazon Prime Video carries Thursday Night Football exclusively, while ESPN shows Monday Night Football.
- To watch all NFL games, you typically need access to multiple services or a cable subscription with sports channels.
Which streaming services do carry NFL games
Amazon Prime Video holds the exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football. If you have a Prime membership, you can watch these games through the Prime Video app or website. The games air live during the NFL season, typically from September through December.
ESPN Plus carries some games, but not all. The service shows select Monday Night Football games and some playoff content. A standard ESPN Plus subscription does not include all Monday Night Football broadcasts — some games air only on cable ESPN.
The CBS app and Fox app stream games that air on those networks. CBS broadcasts AFC games on Sunday afternoons, and Fox broadcasts NFC games on Sunday afternoons. You can watch these games through the official CBS or Fox apps if you have a cable login or a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, or Sling TV.
YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, and Sling TV are live TV streaming services that include the channels that broadcast NFL games. These services cost between $55 and $76 per month and give you access to CBS, Fox, ESPN, and other sports channels in real time.
What Paramount Plus does offer for sports
Paramount Plus carries some sports content, but it is limited. The service streams college football and college basketball games through its partnership with the Big Ten Conference. It also carries some golf tournaments and other sports programming, but professional football is not included.
The service is strongest for entertainment, movies, and shows. If sports streaming is your main reason for subscribing, Paramount Plus alone will not meet that need.
How to find NFL games on other platforms
Start by checking which games you want to watch and which network broadcasts them. The NFL schedule is published before each season begins, and you can find it on NFL.com or through the official NFL app. The schedule shows which network (CBS, Fox, ESPN, or Amazon) will broadcast each game.
Once you know which network carries the games you want, choose a streaming option. If you have cable, you can use the network's app with your cable login. If you do not have cable, a live TV streaming service is usually the most complete option because it includes all the major sports channels in one subscription.
For Thursday Night Football only, Amazon Prime Video is your only streaming option. You do not need a full Prime membership to watch — Amazon sells a standalone Prime Video subscription for less than the full Prime membership.
Cost comparison for NFL streaming
| Service | Monthly Cost | NFL Content |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | $14.99 (or included with Prime) | Thursday Night Football only |
| ESPN Plus | $10.99 | Select Monday Night Football and playoff games |
| YouTube TV | $72.99 | CBS, Fox, ESPN, and other channels |
| Hulu Plus Live TV | $76.99 | CBS, Fox, ESPN, and other channels |
| Sling TV | $55 | ESPN and some Fox games |
| Paramount Plus | $5.99 to $11.99 | No NFL games |
The cheapest way to watch some NFL games is Amazon Prime Video for Thursday Night Football. To watch a full range of games across the week, a live TV streaming service is necessary, and those cost significantly more. Many people use a combination — Prime Video for Thursday games, ESPN Plus for some Monday games, and a cable login or live TV service for Sunday games.
Why Paramount Plus does not have NFL rights
The NFL sells broadcast rights separately to different networks and streaming services. CBS, Fox, ESPN, and Amazon each paid for specific games and time slots. Paramount Plus, which is owned by the same parent company as CBS, does not have its own separate NFL rights. CBS broadcasts the games on cable television, and those games are available through the CBS app, but not through Paramount Plus.
This separation between cable channels and streaming apps is common in sports broadcasting. The networks keep their cable broadcasts separate from their streaming services to protect the value of cable subscriptions and to honor existing contracts with cable providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games with a Paramount Plus subscription?
No. Paramount Plus does not carry any NFL games. You will need a different streaming service or a cable subscription to watch NFL content.
Does Paramount Plus have any sports content?
Yes, Paramount Plus carries college football and college basketball games from the Big Ten Conference, along with some golf and other sports programming. However, professional NFL football is not included.
What is the cheapest way to watch NFL games?
Amazon Prime Video at $14.99 per month is the cheapest single service, but it only includes Thursday Night Football. To watch games across the full week, you need multiple services or a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Sling TV, which cost $55 to $77 per month.
Can I watch CBS NFL games through the CBS app instead of Paramount Plus?
Yes. CBS broadcasts some NFL games on Sunday afternoons, and you can watch them through the CBS app or CBS.com if you have a cable login or a live TV streaming service subscription.
Does Amazon Prime Video have all NFL games?
No. Amazon Prime Video carries only Thursday Night Football. To watch games on other days of the week, you need CBS, Fox, ESPN, or a live TV streaming service.