Yes, but only certain NFL games air on Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus carries Thursday Night Football, a package of regular-season games that run from September through January. These are live broadcasts — you watch them at the same time they air on CBS. The service does not carry Sunday or Monday night games, playoff games, or the Super Bowl. If you want to watch those, you need a different service or cable subscription.

Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus is included with any paid subscription tier. You do not need an add-on or a higher plan. The games stream in 4K on compatible devices if you have the Premium tier, but standard definition is available on all plans.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus shows Thursday Night Football live during the regular season, but no other NFL broadcasts.
  • The games are included with any paid Paramount Plus subscription — no extra cost beyond your monthly fee.
  • Sunday Night Football airs on NBC and streams on Peacock; Monday Night Football is on ESPN and streams on ESPN Plus.
  • Playoff games, the Super Bowl, and most preseason games are not on Paramount Plus.
  • You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and most streaming devices, though blackout rules may explore in some markets.

How to watch Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus

Open the Paramount Plus app or website and look for the Sports section, or search for "Thursday Night Football" directly. Games typically start at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday evenings during the season. You can start watching a few minutes before kickoff, and the stream usually goes live about 15 minutes early.

If you are on a phone or tablet, the app works on iOS and Android. On a computer, use the website in any browser. For your TV, Paramount Plus works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TVs, PlayStation, and Xbox. read the app to your device, sign in with your Paramount Plus account, and select the game.

What NFL games are not on Paramount Plus

Sunday Night Football airs on NBC and streams on Peacock. Monday Night Football is on ESPN and streams on ESPN Plus. Sunday afternoon games are split between CBS and Fox and require cable or a cable-replacement service like YouTube TV or Hulu Plus Live TV. The Super Bowl rotates between networks each year and is not on Paramount Plus.

Playoff games are broadcast on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN depending on the round, and none of them stream exclusively on Paramount Plus. Some playoff games may be available on the network's streaming service (CBS on Paramount Plus, for example), but you cannot count on Paramount Plus as your only source for postseason football.

Most preseason games air on local CBS or Fox affiliates and are not on Paramount Plus. A few preseason games may appear on the service, but the schedule varies year to year.

Paramount Plus subscription tiers and what you get

Paramount Plus offers two paid tiers: Essential and Premium. Both include Thursday Night Football. The difference is that Premium removes most ads during shows and movies, and Premium includes 4K streaming and offline downloads. Thursday Night Football games have a small number of ads on both tiers — you cannot remove them entirely.

There is also a free tier with ads, but it does not include live sports. You must pay for Essential or Premium to watch Thursday Night Football.

Blackout rules and regional restrictions

Some Thursday Night Football games may be blacked out in your local market if a local team is playing and the game is also broadcast on a local CBS affiliate. Blackout rules vary by market and by game. If you see a message that a game is not available in your region, it is usually because of a local broadcast conflict.

Using a VPN to bypass blackouts violates Paramount Plus's terms of service. If you hit a blackout, check whether the game is airing on your local CBS station instead.

Streaming quality and device compatibility

Thursday Night Football streams in up to 1080p on the Essential tier and up to 4K on the Premium tier, depending on your internet speed and device. You need a connection of at least 5 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. Most home broadband meets these speeds, but if you are on mobile data, HD may buffer or drop to standard definition.

Paramount Plus works on nearly all modern streaming devices. If you have an older device, check the Paramount Plus website to confirm compatibility before you subscribe. The app is regularly updated, so older devices may eventually lose support.

Cost and whether it is worth it for NFL

Paramount Plus Essential costs around $5.99 per month with ads, or $11.99 per month without ads. Premium is $11.99 with ads or $19.99 without ads. These prices vary by region and change periodically, so check the Paramount Plus website for current rates.

If you only want to watch Thursday Night Football, Paramount Plus is cheaper than cable or a cable-replacement service. If you want to watch all NFL games, you will need multiple services: Paramount Plus for Thursday, Peacock for Sunday Night, ESPN Plus for Monday Night, and either cable or YouTube TV for Sunday afternoon games. That combination costs more than cable in most markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus if I do not have cable?

Yes. Paramount Plus is a standalone streaming service — you do not need cable to watch it. You only need a Paramount Plus subscription and an internet connection.

Do I need Premium tier to watch NFL games?

No. Thursday Night Football is included on both Essential and Premium tiers. The only difference is that Premium removes most ads from other content and adds 4K streaming. The games themselves have ads on both tiers.

Can I watch Thursday Night Football on my smart TV?

Yes, if your TV is compatible. Paramount Plus works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TVs, PlayStation, and Xbox. read the app, sign in, and find the game in the Sports section.

What happens if my internet cuts out during a game?

The stream will pause or stop. Once your connection is back, you can resume from where you left off, though live games will have moved ahead. You cannot rewind a live broadcast, but Paramount Plus usually makes full game replays available after the broadcast ends.

Is Thursday Night Football the only NFL content on Paramount Plus?

Yes, for live games. Paramount Plus may occasionally show NFL highlights, documentaries, or replays, but Thursday Night Football is the only live NFL broadcast on the service.