Yellowstone moved to a different streaming home

Yellowstone is not on Paramount Plus because Paramount sold the streaming rights to the show to a different company. The first four seasons are now on Peacock (NBC's streaming service), while season five is split between Peacock and The Paramount Network cable channel. This happened because Paramount made a licensing deal with Peacock before the show became as popular as it is now, and those rights are separate from what Paramount Plus owns.

The confusion is understandable—Paramount Plus is owned by Paramount, and Yellowstone is a Paramount production, so it seems like it should be there. But streaming rights are sold separately from ownership of the show itself. Paramount can own Yellowstone and still not have the right to stream it on their own service if they sold those rights to someone else first.

Key Takeaways

  • Seasons one through four of Yellowstone stream on Peacock, not Paramount Plus, because Paramount licensed those rights to NBC before the show became a major hit.
  • Season five is split: part of it aired on The Paramount Network cable channel, and episodes are also on Peacock.
  • Paramount Plus does carry other Yellowstone-related shows like 1883 and 1923, which are original Paramount Plus series.
  • If you have a cable subscription that includes The Paramount Network, you can watch season five there, or you can watch it on Peacock with a subscription.

Where each season of Yellowstone actually streams

Seasons one, two, three, and four are on Peacock. You need a Peacock subscription to watch them—they are not free on Peacock's ad-supported tier, so you will need the Premium or Premium Plus plan. These seasons are not on Paramount Plus at all.

Season five is more complicated. The first part of season five aired on The Paramount Network cable channel in 2022, and those episodes are available on Peacock. The second part of season five aired in 2023, also on The Paramount Network first, and those episodes are also on Peacock. If you have cable and your package includes The Paramount Network, you can watch season five there as well, either live or on-demand through your cable provider's app.

The final episodes of season five aired in December 2023. There is no season six—the show ended with season five.

Why Paramount Plus doesn't have the rights

Paramount made a deal with NBCUniversal (which owns Peacock) to stream Yellowstone before Paramount Plus even existed as a service. When Paramount launched Paramount Plus in 2021, those streaming rights were already locked in with Peacock. Paramount cannot override a deal that was already signed, so even though they own the show, they cannot put it on their own streaming service.

This is common in the streaming world. A production company can own a show but not own the right to stream it in a particular region or on a particular platform. The rights were sold years ago, and they do not automatically transfer when a new streaming service launches or when a company reorganizes.

What Yellowstone shows are on Paramount Plus

1883 and 1923 are both on Paramount Plus. These are prequel series set in the same universe as Yellowstone, but they were created as original Paramount Plus shows, so Paramount Plus owns the streaming rights to them. If you want to watch the Yellowstone universe on Paramount Plus, these two shows are your option.

1883 is a limited series that ran for one season and tells the story of the Dutton family during the Great Depression and the drought of the 1880s. 1923 is an ongoing series that follows the Duttons in the 1920s. Both have strong reviews and expand the world that Yellowstone created.

How to watch Yellowstone if you do not have Peacock

If you do not want to pay for Peacock, you have a few other options. The Paramount Network cable channel sometimes airs Yellowstone episodes, so if you have cable that includes that channel, you can watch there. Check your cable provider's on-demand section or the Paramount Network's schedule to see what is available.

Some episodes may also be available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play. You would pay per episode or per season rather than having a subscription, but this works if you only want to watch a few episodes or one season. Prices vary by platform and by whether you buy the episode or the season.

Rental services like Redbox sometimes have Yellowstone DVDs available, though this is becoming less common. Your local library may also have DVDs of the show, which is free if you have a library card.

What to expect from the Yellowstone universe on Paramount Plus

If you watch 1883 and 1923 on Paramount Plus, you will get the same quality and style as the original Yellowstone, but set in different time periods. Both shows have the same creator, Taylor Sheridan, and they share the same dramatic tone and focus on the Dutton family legacy. You do not need to watch the original Yellowstone to understand these shows—they stand on their own.

Paramount Plus is also developing other shows in the Yellowstone universe. Keep an eye on the Paramount Plus app for announcements about new series. The platform is investing in expanding this world because the shows have been successful, so there will likely be more Yellowstone-related content on Paramount Plus in the future, even if the original series itself stays on Peacock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Yellowstone ever come to Paramount Plus?

The streaming rights to Yellowstone are licensed to Peacock, and those licenses have expiration dates. It is possible that when the current deal expires, Paramount could negotiate to bring the show to Paramount Plus. However, there is no announced date for this, and it would depend on whether Paramount and NBCUniversal reach a new agreement.

Can I watch Yellowstone for free anywhere?

Yellowstone is not on any free streaming service. Peacock requires a paid subscription to watch the show. Your best free option is to check if your local library has DVDs of the series, or to watch episodes on The Paramount Network cable channel if you have cable.

Do I need to watch Yellowstone before watching 1883 or 1923?

No. Both 1883 and 1923 are prequels that tell their own complete stories. You can watch them without having seen the original Yellowstone. However, if you do watch Yellowstone first, you will recognize references and understand more about the Dutton family history.

Is season five of Yellowstone finished?

Yes. Season five concluded in December 2023, and it was the final season of the show. The story is complete. There will not be a season six.

Can I watch Yellowstone on my cable provider's app?

Only season five is available through cable providers that carry The Paramount Network. If your cable package includes that channel, you can watch season five on-demand through your provider's app. Seasons one through four are only on Peacock.