Drag Race Season 17 starts January 30, 2025, on Paramount Plus

RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 premieres on Thursday, January 30, 2025. New episodes air weekly on Thursdays on Paramount Plus. The season will have 15 episodes total, so the finale is expected in late April 2025, though Paramount Plus has not yet announced the exact finale date.

You need an active Paramount Plus subscription to watch. The show is exclusive to Paramount Plus in the United States — it does not air on cable or other streaming services. If you do not have a subscription, you can sign up directly through Paramount Plus's website or app.

Key Takeaways

  • Season 17 premieres January 30, 2025, with new episodes every Thursday on Paramount Plus.
  • All 15 episodes will be available only on Paramount Plus; the show does not air on television or other streaming platforms.
  • You must have a Paramount Plus subscription to watch, whether paid or through a bundle that includes Paramount Plus.
  • Episodes typically become available at 3 a.m. ET on Thursday mornings, though Paramount Plus does not may provide an exact time.

How to watch on Paramount Plus

Open the Paramount Plus app or website and search for "RuPaul's Drag Race" or navigate to the Entertainment section. The show appears under its full title. On Thursday mornings starting January 30, the new episode will be listed at the top of the show's page.

If you have a Paramount Plus subscription through a bundle — such as through Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, or Costco — you can still watch through the Paramount Plus app by signing in with your account credentials. The episode will be available to you the same day it releases.

What to expect from season 17

Season 17 features 16 new queens competing for the title and the prize money. The season includes the standard challenges: lip syncs, design challenges, comedy performances, and the main stage elimination format that the show has used for multiple seasons. Paramount Plus has not released details about guest judges or special episodes yet.

Like previous seasons on Paramount Plus, season 17 will have no broadcast delays or edits. Paramount Plus versions of the show sometimes include content or language that would not air on cable television.

When episodes drop each week

New episodes typically become available at 3 a.m. ET on Thursday mornings, which means they are live for the West Coast at midnight PT. However, Paramount Plus does not publish a may provide release time, so the exact moment can shift by a few minutes week to week.

If you want to watch as soon as the episode is available, set a reminder for Thursday morning or check the app when you wake up. You can also watch at any point during the day or later in the week — episodes stay on the service indefinitely once they air.

Paramount Plus subscription options

Paramount Plus offers two paid tiers: the ad-supported plan and the ad-free plan. Both include access to all episodes of Drag Race season 17. The ad-supported plan costs less per month but shows advertisements during the show. The ad-free plan removes ads but costs more.

You can also watch through a bundle: Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, or the Costco bundle all include Paramount Plus access. If you already subscribe to one of these, you may already have Paramount Plus included or available as an add-on.

Catching up on earlier seasons

Paramount Plus has all previous seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race available to stream, including seasons 1 through 16. You can watch them in any order, though many viewers start with season 1 or jump to a season that interests them. The show does not require you to watch earlier seasons to understand season 17.

Paramount Plus also carries spin-offs like RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race UK, and other international versions if you want to explore more content on the platform.

If you miss an episode

Episodes remain on Paramount Plus after they air, so you can watch them whenever you want. There is no time limit for rewatching or catching up on episodes you missed. You can also rewatch any episode from season 17 as many times as you want as long as your subscription is active.

Paramount Plus does not offer a way to read episodes for offline viewing on most devices, so you will need an internet connection to stream. Some phones and tablets may allow downloads through the app, but this varies by device and region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need cable to watch Drag Race season 17?

No. Season 17 is exclusive to Paramount Plus and does not air on cable television. You must have a Paramount Plus subscription to watch it.

Can I watch season 17 if I have Paramount Plus through a bundle?

Yes. If you have Paramount Plus through Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, Costco, or another bundle, you can watch season 17 by signing into the Paramount Plus app with your account.

What time do new episodes come out on Thursday?

Episodes typically become available at 3 a.m. ET on Thursday mornings, though Paramount Plus does not may provide an exact time. The release time may shift slightly from week to week.

Can I watch old seasons of Drag Race on Paramount Plus?

Yes. Paramount Plus has seasons 1 through 16 available to stream. You can watch them in any order and do not need to watch earlier seasons to understand season 17.

What happens if I cancel my subscription mid-season?

If you cancel, you lose access to all Paramount Plus content, including any episodes of season 17 you have not watched yet. You can resubscribe later and pick up where you left off, but you will need an active subscription to stream.