How to find what's currently streaming on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus updates its library constantly, adding new shows and movies while removing others. The fastest way to see what's there right now is to open the app or website and browse by category — the home screen shows "New & Popular" at the top, which refreshes daily. You can also search by genre using the menu: Drama, Comedy, Action, Kids, Sports, and others.
The streaming service organizes content by what's brand new (released in the last week or two), what's trending among viewers right now, and what's part of ongoing series. If you're looking for a specific show or movie, the search bar at the top of the app will tell you whether it's available and when new episodes air if it's a live series.
Paramount Plus also sends email notifications to subscribers who turn them on in account settings. These emails list new releases by week and highlight shows returning from hiatus. You can customize which genres you want to hear about, so you're not flooded with notifications for content you don't watch.
Key Takeaways
- The home screen shows new releases and trending content updated daily, so checking there takes seconds.
- You can filter by genre using the menu to narrow down what's available in Drama, Comedy, Action, Kids, or Sports.
- The search function tells you whether a specific title is streaming and when new episodes release if it's an ongoing series.
- Email notifications can alert you to new releases in genres you choose, sent weekly or as often as you prefer.
- Content rotates regularly, so a show you saw last month may no longer be available, and new titles appear throughout each week.
Where to look for new releases each week
Paramount Plus publishes a weekly list of new titles on its website under "What's New." This page shows everything added in the past seven days, organized by type — TV shows, movies, live sports, and originals (shows made by Paramount). The list updates every Tuesday, though some content drops on other days depending on licensing agreements.
Original series — shows created by Paramount Plus itself — usually premiere on Thursdays or Sundays. These include shows like Yellowstone, 1883, The Offer, and Halo. New episodes of ongoing originals follow a schedule you can see in the show's details page: some release one episode per week, others drop multiple episodes at once.
Movies and licensed shows (content from other studios) can arrive any day of the week. Sports content, including NFL games and college football, follows the actual game schedule rather than a set release day. If you follow a specific team or league, the app will show you upcoming games in the Sports section.
How to set up alerts for shows you're waiting for
Most streaming apps let you add a show to a "watchlist" or "favorites" list. On Paramount Plus, tap the heart or plus icon on any show's page to save it. Once you've saved it, you can view your full list by going to "My Stuff" in the menu. This doesn't send you notifications automatically, but it keeps all your saved shows in one place so you can check them when you open the app.
For automatic notifications, go to your account settings and turn on push notifications. Then, when a show you've saved has a new episode or becomes available, you'll get a notification on your phone or computer. You can choose to receive notifications for all shows or only certain ones by adjusting settings for each title.
If you use a smartphone, you can also set a calendar reminder for shows you know are returning on a specific date. Many fans do this for major releases — for example, if you know a new season of a show premieres on a Thursday, you can set a reminder for that morning.
Understanding what content rotates and what stays
Paramount Plus owns some content permanently — its original series, movies made by Paramount Pictures, and shows from CBS (which is owned by the same parent company). These titles rarely leave the service. However, content licensed from other studios has expiration dates. A show or movie might be available for six months, a year, or longer, then disappear when the licensing deal ends.
The app usually shows an expiration date on titles that are leaving soon. If you see "Leaving on [date]" on a show's page, that's your window to watch it before it goes. Some services give you 30 days' notice; others don't announce it until the last week. Checking the "What's Leaving" section of the website tells you what's disappearing in the next month.
Live content like sports and news doesn't expire — it airs on schedule and then becomes available to rewatch for a limited time (usually 30 days for sports games). After that window closes, it's gone unless Paramount Plus decides to keep it as an archive.
Browsing by category and genre
The menu on Paramount Plus breaks content into clear sections: TV Shows, Movies, Live TV, Sports, and Kids. Within TV Shows and Movies, you can filter further by genre — Drama, Comedy, Action, Thriller, Documentary, Reality, and others. This is useful if you know what mood you're in but not what specific show you want to watch.
The "Trending Now" section shows what other viewers are watching right now, which can help you discover something new. "Recommended for You" uses your watch history to suggest similar shows. These recommendations improve the more you watch, so the app learns your taste over time.
If you're looking for a specific type of content — like all the Star Trek shows, or all the reality dating shows — searching by franchise or theme works better than browsing. For example, searching "Star Trek" will show you every Star Trek series available, rather than having to dig through the Sci-Fi category.
What's different between Paramount Plus and cable TV
Paramount Plus includes content from CBS, which means you can watch some shows the day after they air on cable TV. This is different from other streaming services that may wait weeks or months. If a show airs on CBS on Wednesday night, it's usually on Paramount Plus by Thursday morning.
Live TV on Paramount Plus is limited compared to cable. You get live CBS broadcasts (news, sports, some events), but not the full cable lineup. If you want to watch live sports or events, check the Sports section to see which games are streaming live that day.
The service also includes Paramount Plus originals, which are shows you can only watch on Paramount Plus — they don't air on cable TV. These are often high-budget dramas and limited series that the company invests in to attract subscribers.
Using the search function to find specific titles
The search bar at the top of the app is the fastest way to find a specific show or movie. Type the title, actor name, or even a partial title, and Paramount Plus will show you matches. If the title is available, you'll see it with a play button. If it's not currently streaming, you'll see a message saying so, sometimes with a note about when it might return.
You can also search by actor or director. If you want to find everything with a specific actor, search their name and the app will list their shows and movies on the service. This is helpful if you enjoyed someone's performance and want to see their other work.
The search results also show you whether something is a TV show or movie, how many seasons it has, and its rating (G, PG, PG-13, R, etc.). This information helps you decide whether to start watching right away or save it for later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Paramount Plus have a list of everything new this week?
Yes. Go to the "What's New" section on the Paramount Plus website or app. It updates every Tuesday and shows all titles added in the past seven days, organized by type. You can also check the home screen, which highlights new releases daily.
How do I know when a new season of my favorite show is coming?
Add the show to your watchlist and turn on push notifications in your account settings. You can also check the show's page directly — it usually displays the premiere date of the next season if it's been announced. Some shows post a countdown timer as the date gets closer.
Can I watch shows the same day they air on CBS?
Most CBS shows are available on Paramount Plus the next morning after they air on cable. Live sports and breaking news events may be available live on the service if they're part of your subscription tier. Check the Sports section to see which games stream live.
What happens if a show I'm watching gets removed?
The app usually warns you with an expiration date before content leaves. If you're in the middle of a series, you'll have time to finish it before it disappears. Once it's gone, it may return later if Paramount renews the licensing deal, but there's no may provide.
Is there a way to see only content I haven't watched yet?
Not with a dedicated filter, but your watchlist and "Continue Watching" section help organize what you're tracking. You can also use the genre filters to narrow down options, then look for titles you haven't started. The "New & Popular" section on the home screen always shows recent additions you may have missed.