Paramount Plus has movies, TV shows, live sports, and news — but the catalog changes monthly
Paramount Plus holds content from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures. That means you get broadcast TV shows the day after they air, original series made only for the service, theatrical movies, live NFL games on Thursday nights, and news from CBS News. The exact titles available depend on your subscription tier and your region — and what's there this month may not be there next month.
The service splits into two tiers: the ad-supported version costs less but shows commercials; the ad-free version costs more. Both tiers have access to the same content library, though some live sports and events may be exclusive to the higher tier.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus carries CBS shows like The Equalizer, NCIS, and Ghosts the day after they broadcast, plus originals like Yellowstone and 1883.
- Movies include theatrical releases from Paramount Pictures, older films from the studio's back catalog, and licensed content that rotates in and out.
- Thursday Night Football is included with both tiers, though some playoff games may require the higher-priced plan.
- The catalog changes constantly — shows and movies are added and removed on a rolling schedule, so what you want to watch may not be there when you look for it.
- You can search by title or browse by category, and most shows let you start watching when ready without waiting for a full season to drop.
TV shows: broadcast series and originals
CBS shows land on Paramount Plus the morning after they air on television. That includes drama series like NCIS, The Equalizer, Ghosts, and Tracker, as well as reality and competition shows. You can watch full seasons of most shows, though some may take a few weeks to complete their run on the service if they are still airing on CBS.
Paramount Plus also produces its own original series that you cannot watch anywhere else. Yellowstone and its prequel 1883 are the most well-known, but the service also carries The Offer (about the making of The Godfather), Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, and Frasier (a revival of the classic sitcom). These originals are added throughout the year, and older seasons remain available after new ones premiere.
Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and BET content also appears on the service — stand-up specials, animated series, and reality programming. The exact titles shift based on licensing agreements, so checking what is currently available is the only way to know for certain.
Movies: theatrical releases and catalog titles
Paramount Pictures releases theatrical movies to Paramount Plus after they finish their run in cinemas, usually within 30 to 45 days of opening. Recent films rotate through the service on a regular schedule. The service also holds a deep back catalog of older Paramount movies, though not every film the studio ever made is available at any given time.
Beyond Paramount's own productions, the service licenses movies from other studios. These licensed titles come and go based on contract terms — a movie may be available for several months and then disappear when the license expires. The service does not always announce removals in advance, so if you are planning to watch something specific, it is worth checking whether it is still there before you sit down.
The movie selection is strongest in drama, action, and thriller categories. Animated films, family content, and documentaries are also present, though the variety is smaller than what you would find on a general streaming service.
Live sports: Thursday Night Football and occasional events
Paramount Plus streams Thursday Night Football during the NFL regular season and playoffs. This is included with both the ad-supported and ad-free tiers, though some playoff games may be exclusive to the higher-priced plan. You can watch live or on-demand after the game airs.
Beyond football, the service occasionally carries live events like the Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and other CBS-broadcast events. These are not available year-round but appear when they are scheduled. Check the service's event calendar or search for specific events to see if they are coming up.
Sports highlights and recap shows from CBS Sports are also available, though they are not live broadcasts — they are on-demand clips and short-form content.
News and documentary content
CBS News content appears on Paramount Plus, including clips from 60 Minutes, news specials, and documentary programming. You can watch segments on-demand rather than waiting for a broadcast time. Some full episodes of 60 Minutes are available, though not every episode from every season.
Documentary series and specials rotate through the service. These cover history, true crime, biography, and current events. Like other licensed content, documentaries may be added or removed based on licensing terms.
How to find what you want to watch
Paramount Plus has a search bar at the top of the app or website. Type the title of a show or movie, and the service will tell you whether it is available. If it is not there, the search result usually shows you when it might be coming or whether it is available on another service.
You can also browse by category: TV shows, movies, live sports, news, and originals are all separated. Within each category, you can filter by genre — drama, comedy, action, documentary, and so on. The homepage also shows what is new this week and what is trending.
If you have a subscription but cannot find something you expected to see, it may have been removed from the catalog. The service does not maintain a "removed titles" list, so there is no central place to check what left. Checking the service directly is the fastest way to know what is currently there.
What changes month to month
Paramount Plus publishes a monthly list of new titles coming to the service, but it does not always announce what is leaving. Movies and licensed TV shows are the most likely to disappear — they are tied to licensing agreements that expire. Original series stay on the service permanently once they premiere.
The best way to keep track is to add shows or movies to your watchlist as soon as you know you want to see them. The service will notify you when new seasons premiere or when movies are added. If you see something you think you might want to watch later, start it or save it rather than assuming it will still be there in a few weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch new episodes of CBS shows the same day they air?
No. CBS shows premiere on television first, and episodes land on Paramount Plus the next morning. If a show airs on Thursday night, you can watch it Friday morning. Live broadcasts of events like the Grammy Awards or sports games are available to watch live on Paramount Plus at the same time they air on CBS.
Do I need the more expensive tier to watch everything?
Both tiers have access to the same movies, TV shows, and most live sports. The main difference is that the ad-free tier removes commercials. Some playoff games and premium events may be exclusive to the higher tier, but regular Thursday Night Football games are on both plans.
If a movie or show disappears, will it come back?
Sometimes. Movies and licensed shows may cycle back onto the service after their license expires and is renewed. Original series stay permanently. There is no way to know in advance whether a removed title will return, so if you want to watch something, do it while it is available.
Can I read shows or movies to watch offline?
Yes. Both the app on phones and tablets and the web version allow you to read episodes and movies. Downloaded content is available for a set period — usually 30 days — before it expires. You can re-read it as many times as you want while your subscription is active.
Is there a way to see everything that is leaving the service?
Paramount Plus does not publish a removal schedule. The service announces new titles monthly, but removals are not always announced in advance. Checking the service directly is the only reliable way to know whether something is still there.