NCIS: Hawaii moved to a different streaming home

NCIS: Hawaii is not on Paramount Plus because CBS moved the show to Peacock, NBC's streaming service. The shift happened after the show's second season ended in May 2023. Paramount Plus still carries the original NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles, but NCIS: Hawaii is exclusive to Peacock as part of a licensing deal between CBS and NBCUniversal.

This kind of move is common in streaming. Networks often shuffle shows between platforms based on contracts, production deals, and where they think audiences will find them. In this case, NBC's parent company owns part of the production, which gave them the rights to stream it on their own platform instead.

If you have a Paramount Plus subscription but want to watch NCIS: Hawaii, you'll need to add Peacock to your streaming services. Both seasons of the show are available there, along with new episodes if the series continues.

Key Takeaways

  • NCIS: Hawaii streams exclusively on Peacock, not Paramount Plus, because of a licensing agreement between CBS and NBCUniversal.
  • Paramount Plus still carries the original NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles, so those shows remain available on that platform.
  • The show moved to Peacock after its second season ended in May 2023.
  • Streaming rights for TV shows can shift between platforms when contracts renew or production companies change ownership stakes.

How streaming rights work for TV shows

When a network produces a show, the streaming rights don't automatically go to that network's streaming service. Instead, those rights are negotiated separately and can be sold to different platforms. NCIS: Hawaii is produced by CBS Television Studios, but NBCUniversal has a stake in the production, which gave them leverage to find the streaming rights for Peacock.

These deals are usually made years in advance and lock in for a set period. Once that contract expires, the show could theoretically move again, but there's no may provide. The platform that currently holds the rights has to decide whether to renew, and the production company has to decide whether to accept their offer or shop it elsewhere.

This is why you might see a show on one streaming service for a few seasons, then suddenly it disappears. It's not usually because the platform dropped it on purpose—it's because the licensing agreement ended and the two sides couldn't reach a new deal.

What to watch on Paramount Plus instead

If you don't want to add another streaming service, Paramount Plus has plenty of other crime and procedural shows. The original NCIS remains on the platform with all its seasons, as does NCIS: Los Angeles. Both shows follow similar formats to NCIS: Hawaii, with ensemble casts solving cases episode by episode.

Paramount Plus also carries Star Trek: Discovery, The Twilight Zone, Yellowstone, and Halo if you're looking for drama series. The platform's library changes regularly as licensing agreements shift, so checking what's currently available in your region is worth doing before you commit to watching a new series.

Whether to subscribe to Peacock for NCIS: Hawaii

Peacock offers a free tier with ads and a paid tier without ads. The free version has a limited library, but NCIS: Hawaii is available on both tiers, so you can watch it for free if you're willing to sit through commercials. The paid tier costs around $6 per month with ads or $12 per month without ads, though pricing varies by region and promotional offers.

If you already subscribe to Paramount Plus and want to watch NCIS: Hawaii, adding Peacock's free tier is the cheapest way to do it. You'll see ads during episodes, but you won't pay extra. If you prefer ad-free viewing, the paid tier is an option, but that's an additional monthly cost on top of what you're already spending.

How to find NCIS: Hawaii on Peacock

Once you have a Peacock account, search for "NCIS: Hawaii" in the search bar. Both seasons appear in the results. You can stream them in order starting with season one, episode one. Peacock lets you read episodes to watch offline on mobile devices, which is useful if you're traveling or want to watch without using data.

New episodes air on CBS first, then move to Peacock after they broadcast. If you want to watch the latest episode the day it airs, you'll need to tune in to CBS or use the CBS app. Peacock typically gets new episodes within a day or two of broadcast, depending on the network's schedule.

Whether NCIS: Hawaii might return to Paramount Plus

It's possible but unlikely in the near term. Streaming rights deals usually run for several years, so NCIS: Hawaii would probably stay on Peacock through at least 2025 or 2026, depending on when the current contract was signed. After that, if the show is still running and both sides want to renegotiate, it could move again.

The show's future on any platform also depends on whether it continues to be produced. If CBS cancels NCIS: Hawaii, no new episodes will air, and the existing seasons will remain on Peacock but won't grow. As of now, the show has not been officially canceled, but TV networks make renewal decisions annually, usually in spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch NCIS: Hawaii on the CBS app instead of Peacock?

The CBS app shows episodes after they air on television, but it requires a cable subscription or a paid streaming service login to access full episodes. Peacock is the dedicated streaming home for the series, so that's where you'll find all episodes without needing a cable login.

Is NCIS: Hawaii available in other countries?

Streaming rights vary by country. In some regions, the show may be on different platforms or not available at all. Check your local streaming services or search for "NCIS: Hawaii [your country]" to see where it's available where you live.

Will the original NCIS ever move to Peacock?

It's possible but not confirmed. The original NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles are currently on Paramount Plus, and their licensing deals may be separate from NCIS: Hawaii's. Networks renegotiate streaming rights regularly, so platforms can change, but there's no announcement about the original series moving.

Do I need to watch the other NCIS shows to understand NCIS: Hawaii?

No. NCIS: Hawaii is a standalone series set in Hawaii with its own characters and cases. While it's part of the NCIS universe, you don't need to watch the original NCIS or NCIS: Los Angeles to follow the story. Each show works independently.

How many seasons of NCIS: Hawaii are there?

As of now, two seasons have aired. Both are available on Peacock. Whether a third season will be produced depends on CBS's renewal decisions, which are typically announced in spring each year.