Paramount Plus has thousands of shows across news, sports, movies, and original series
Paramount Plus carries content from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and Paramount Pictures. The library includes decades of back catalog — shows that ended years ago — plus new releases every week. What you can actually watch depends on which subscription tier you have, because some shows are only on the paid plan, and some content changes by region.
The easiest way to see what's available right now is to open the app or website and browse by category. But if you want to know what kinds of shows are there before you look, or you're trying to figure out whether a specific show is included, this guide covers the main categories and how to find what you're looking for.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus includes thousands of shows from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and BET, plus original series made only for the service.
- The free tier with ads shows fewer titles than the paid plan, and some shows are only on the ad-free subscription.
- You can search by show name, browse by category (Drama, Comedy, Reality, Kids), or filter by what's new this week.
- Sports content like NFL games, college football, and soccer is included on most tiers, though some games may require a higher subscription level.
- Movies, reality shows, and kids' programming make up a large part of the library alongside scripted dramas and comedies.
Original series made only for Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus produces its own shows that you won't find anywhere else. These include Yellowstone and its prequel 1883, The Offer (about the making of The Godfather), Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. New original series launch throughout the year, and the service promotes them heavily on the home screen.
Original shows are included on both the free and paid tiers, though the free tier may have a delay before new episodes appear. You can see what originals are coming by looking at the "Coming Soon" section or checking the service's announcement pages.
CBS shows, past and present
Because Paramount Plus is owned by the same company as CBS, the service carries current CBS shows the day after they air on television. This includes dramas like NCIS, The Equalizer, and Ghosts, plus game shows, talk shows, and news programs. You also get access to decades of older CBS shows — The Mary Tyler Moore Show, All in the Family, Cheers, and Frasier are examples of catalog titles that are on the service.
Current-season episodes of CBS shows are usually available within 24 hours of broadcast. Older seasons and completed series are available in full.
Comedy, reality, and kids' programming
Paramount Plus carries shows from MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon. From Comedy Central you get stand-up specials, South Park, and The Daily Show. MTV content includes reality shows like The Real World and dating shows. Nickelodeon brings kids' shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and Blue's Clues, plus older Nickelodeon catalog.
These categories are straightforward to browse on the home screen — the service organizes content by channel and by genre, so you can search "Comedy" or "Kids" to see what's available. New episodes of ongoing shows appear on a weekly schedule.
Movies included with your subscription
Paramount Plus includes movies from Paramount Pictures' library, plus some licensed films from other studios. The movie selection changes monthly as titles rotate in and out. You can browse movies by genre (Action, Drama, Comedy, Horror) or by what's new this month.
The exact movies available depend on your region and subscription tier. The paid ad-free plan typically has a larger movie library than the free tier. You can search for a specific movie title to see if it's currently on the service.
Sports content on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus carries NFL games (including some Thursday Night Football games), college football, college basketball, and international soccer. The specific games available depend on your subscription tier and region. Some premium sports events may only be on the higher-priced plan.
Sports content is live, so you need to check the schedule to see what games are coming up. The service shows upcoming sports events in a dedicated Sports section on the home screen.
How to find shows you want to watch
Open Paramount Plus and use the search bar at the top to type a show name. If it's on the service, it will appear in the results. You can also browse by category — click "Browse" or "Categories" to see Drama, Comedy, Reality, Kids, and other sections. Each category shows what's popular, what's new this week, and what's coming soon.
If you have the free tier with ads, you may see a note on some show pages saying it's only on the paid plan. The app will tell you which tier you need before you try to watch. You can also filter by "Free" or "Premium" to see only what your current subscription includes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between what I can watch on the free tier versus paid?
Yes. The free tier with ads includes thousands of shows and movies, but some content is only on the paid ad-free plan. When you search for a show, the app will tell you which tier it requires. Most major originals and current CBS shows are on both tiers, but availability can vary.
Can I watch live TV on Paramount Plus?
You can watch some live content like NFL games and sports events, plus live CBS feeds in some regions. However, Paramount Plus is not a full live TV service like cable. Most shows are available on-demand after they air.
Do new episodes come out on a schedule?
Yes. Current CBS shows release new episodes the day after they air on television. Other shows release on a weekly schedule, or sometimes all episodes at once (called "dropping" the season). Check the show page to see the release schedule.
What if a show I want isn't on Paramount Plus?
The library changes regularly as licensing agreements shift. You can search for the show to confirm it's not there, or check other streaming services. Some shows move between services or are only available on specific platforms.
Can I read shows to watch offline?
Yes, on the paid plan you can read episodes to your phone or tablet and watch them without an internet connection. The free tier does not include downloads. Check the show page for a read button next to each episode.