Paramount+ is owned by CBS, not NBC

Paramount+ belongs to Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS. NBC is owned by a different company entirely — Comcast, through its NBCUniversal division. The confusion often arises because both networks air on broadcast television and both have streaming services, but they are separate corporate entities with different ownership structures.

Paramount Global was formed in 2022 when ViacomCBS rebranded itself. The company owns CBS, the CBS broadcast network, Showtime, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Nickelodeon, and the Paramount film studio. Paramount+ is the streaming home for content from all of these properties, which is why you find CBS shows, movies, and original series on the platform.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, not by NBC or Comcast.
  • NBC is owned by Comcast through NBCUniversal and has its own streaming service called Peacock.
  • Paramount Global also owns Showtime, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, and Nickelodeon in addition to CBS.
  • CBS shows and movies appear on Paramount+ because they are produced by the same parent company.

How Paramount Global owns CBS and Paramount+

Paramount Global operates as a media conglomerate with multiple divisions. CBS is the broadcast television network — the channel you can watch over the air or through cable. Paramount+ is the streaming service where CBS shows, both current and archived, are made available to subscribers. Because they share the same parent company, CBS content flows directly to Paramount+ without licensing deals between separate corporations.

The company also owns the Paramount film studio, which produces theatrical movies and direct-to-streaming films. Many of these films appear on Paramount+ as part of the subscription. This vertical integration — owning both the content creators and the distribution platform — is why Paramount+ has such a deep library of CBS shows, movies, and original series.

Why NBC and Peacock are separate from Paramount+

NBC operates under NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast, a cable and internet provider. This is a completely different corporate structure from Paramount Global. NBC has its own streaming service called Peacock, where NBC shows, movies, and original content are housed. If you want to watch NBC programming, you would use Peacock, not Paramount+.

The two services do not share content libraries because they are owned by competing companies. Paramount+ will not have NBC shows, and Peacock will not have CBS shows, unless one company licenses content from the other — which is rare and usually temporary.

What content you will find on each service

On Paramount+, you will find CBS shows like The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, NCIS, and Star Trek series. You will also find movies from the Paramount film studio, content from Showtime, MTV shows, Nickelodeon programming, and original series made specifically for the platform.

On Peacock, you will find NBC shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. You will also find movies from Universal Pictures and original content made for Peacock. The two services have almost no overlap in their libraries because of the different ownership.

The history of the CBS and Paramount merger

CBS and Viacom were separate companies for many years. Viacom owned MTV, Comedy Central, BET, and Nickelodeon. In 2019, the two companies merged back together to form ViacomCBS. In 2022, ViacomCBS rebranded as Paramount Global to emphasize the Paramount film studio and streaming service as the centerpiece of the company.

This consolidation was a response to the streaming wars. By combining CBS, Viacom's cable networks, and the Paramount film studio under one roof, the company created a larger content library for Paramount+ to compete with Netflix, Disney+, and other major streaming platforms. The rebranding reflected the shift in focus from traditional broadcast and cable television to streaming as the primary distribution method.

How to tell which service carries what you want to watch

The simplest way to know which service has a show is to check the network it airs on. If it airs on CBS, it will be on Paramount+. If it airs on NBC, it will be on Peacock. For movies, check the studio: Paramount films go to Paramount+, and Universal films typically go to Peacock.

You can also search for the title on each service's website or app. Both Paramount+ and Peacock allow you to search without a subscription to see whether a show or movie is available. If you are unsure which network a show airs on, a quick search for the show's name and "network" will tell you whether it is a CBS or NBC production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch NBC shows on Paramount+?

No. NBC shows are on Peacock, which is owned by Comcast. Paramount+ only carries content from Paramount Global properties: CBS, Showtime, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Nickelodeon, and the Paramount film studio. The two services do not share content because they are owned by different companies.

Does Paramount+ have all CBS shows?

Paramount+ has most current and recent CBS shows, but not every show ever made for CBS. Older shows may still be in syndication or licensed to other platforms. New CBS episodes typically appear on Paramount+ the day after they air on the broadcast network, though some shows may have a delay.

Is Paramount Global the same as Paramount Pictures?

Paramount Global is the parent company that owns Paramount Pictures (the film studio), CBS, and other media properties. Paramount Pictures is the film studio division. So Paramount Global is larger and includes Paramount Pictures as one of its divisions.

Why do Paramount+ and Peacock have different shows if they are both streaming services?

They have different shows because they are owned by different companies. Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Global (which owns CBS), and Peacock is owned by Comcast (which owns NBC). Each company streams the content it produces or owns. It is the same reason you cannot watch Disney+ shows on Netflix — they are owned by different corporations.

Can I get both Paramount+ and Peacock in one bundle?

Some cable and internet providers bundle services together, but Paramount+ and Peacock are not officially bundled by their parent companies. You would need to check with your cable or internet provider to see if they offer a package that includes both. Otherwise, you would need separate subscriptions to each service.