The shows available on Paramount Plus span news, sports, drama, comedy, and reality television
Paramount Plus carries content from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and Showtime, so the library includes both broadcast reruns and original series made for the streaming service. The catalog changes monthly as licenses expire and new shows arrive, so what is available today may not be there in three months.
The service offers two subscription tiers: a lower-cost ad-supported plan and an ad-free plan. Both tiers carry the same shows, though some live sports and events may be restricted to the ad-free version depending on your region.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus includes CBS shows like The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, and Ghosts, plus originals like Yellowstone and 1883.
- Comedy Central and MTV content includes South Park, The Real World, and Jersey Shore reruns alongside newer comedy specials.
- The service carries live NFL games on Thursday nights, college sports, and some UEFA Champions League matches, though sports availability varies by region and subscription tier.
- Showtime originals like Dexter, Billions, and The Affair are included with all Paramount Plus subscriptions.
- The full catalog shifts each month, so a show you want to watch may not be there when you search for it.
Drama and prestige series on the platform
Yellowstone and its prequel 1883 are among the most-watched shows on Paramount Plus. Both are originals made for the service and follow the Dutton family across different time periods. Yellowstone ran for five seasons and concluded in 2023; 1883 is a limited series that wrapped after two seasons.
CBS dramas available include Ghosts, a comedy-horror hybrid about a couple who inherit a haunted house, and The Bold and the Beautiful, a daytime soap that has aired since 1987. The Young and the Restless, another long-running soap, also streams on the service.
Showtime originals round out the drama selection. Dexter and its revival season Dexter: New Blood are available, along with Billions, which ran for seven seasons, and The Affair, a drama about infidelity that concluded after five seasons. Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, a supernatural drama, is also on the platform.
Comedy shows and specials
South Park is one of the largest draws on Paramount Plus. The animated comedy has run since 1997 and new seasons premiere on the service. Comedy Central specials and stand-up performances rotate through the catalog regularly, though which ones are available changes month to month.
The Twilight Zone reboot, which blends sci-fi and dark comedy, is available as an original series. Schitt's Creek, a Canadian comedy about a wealthy family who lose their fortune, is also on the platform and won multiple Emmy Awards.
MTV comedies and reality-comedy hybrids include Jersey Shore reruns and The Real World, the long-running reality series that pioneered the genre. Nickelodeon content skews younger but includes animated comedies and live-action shows aimed at children and teens.
Reality television and competition shows
MTV reality shows make up a significant portion of the catalog. The Real World has multiple seasons available, and Jersey Shore reruns span the show's original run. Flavor of Love and other dating and competition shows from MTV's archives rotate through the service.
Competition and talent shows include RuPaul's Drag Race and its spin-offs, which air new seasons on the platform. The Amazing Race, a reality competition where teams race around the world, is also available.
Sports programming and live events
Paramount Plus carries Thursday Night Football during the NFL season, with games broadcast live and available on-demand afterward. This is one of the main reasons some viewers keep the subscription year-round, though the ad-free tier may offer better streaming quality for live games.
College sports, including football and basketball, are available depending on your region. UEFA Champions League soccer matches are also on the platform, though availability and which matches stream varies by location and subscription tier.
Live CBS broadcasts of news and special events are included, so you can watch the network's evening news broadcast or major events like the Grammy Awards or Super Bowl if they air on CBS that year.
Nickelodeon and children's content
Nickelodeon shows span animated series like SpongeBob SquarePants and live-action shows aimed at younger viewers. The library includes both current episodes and older series from the network's archive.
Paramount Plus also carries movies from the Paramount film studio, though the movie catalog is smaller than the television selection and rotates more frequently.
How to find what is currently available
The easiest way to see what shows are on Paramount Plus right now is to log into the service and browse by category: Drama, Comedy, Reality, Sports, or Kids. You can also search by title if you have a specific show in mind.
If a show you want is not currently available, you can add it to a watchlist, and the service will notify you when it arrives. Keep in mind that some shows may not return if the license expires and is not renewed.
The service updates its catalog on the first and fifteenth of each month, so checking back every two weeks will show you new arrivals and departures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference in shows between the ad-supported and ad-free plans?
Both plans carry the same shows. The difference is that the ad-supported plan shows commercials during playback, while the ad-free plan does not. Some live sports events may be restricted to the ad-free tier depending on your region, but the on-demand show library is identical.
Can I watch new episodes of shows the day they air?
Yes, if the show airs on CBS or another Paramount-owned network. New episodes of shows like Ghosts and The Bold and the Beautiful become available on Paramount Plus the day after they broadcast on television. Originals made for Paramount Plus release on a schedule set by the service, usually weekly.
Will shows I like stay on the service, or do they get removed?
Shows can be removed when licensing agreements expire. This is most common with older shows or those from other networks. Paramount originals like Yellowstone and South Park are less likely to leave, but even those can be removed if the company decides to end the series or move it elsewhere.
Do I need the ad-free plan to watch sports?
Most sports are available on both plans, but some live events may be restricted to the ad-free tier depending on your region. Check the event details on the service to see which plan is required before you try to watch.
How often does the catalog change?
Paramount Plus updates its catalog twice a month, usually on the first and fifteenth. New shows arrive and older ones depart on these dates, so the selection is different every two weeks.