Paramount Plus does not have the rights to broadcast the Super Bowl
Paramount Plus will not show the Super Bowl. The streaming rights to the Super Bowl are held by CBS, NBC, and Fox on a rotating basis, and each network streams their broadcast through their own apps and websites — not through Paramount Plus. If the Super Bowl airs on CBS in a given year, you can watch it on Paramount Plus only if you have a live TV subscription tier, which includes the live CBS feed.
The Super Bowl broadcast rights change hands every few years. The next Super Bowl on CBS will air in 2025, and Paramount Plus subscribers with the Premium tier that includes live TV will be able to watch it. However, if the game moves to NBC or Fox in future years, you would need to watch through those networks' streaming services instead.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus does not own Super Bowl streaming rights; CBS, NBC, and Fox rotate the broadcast rights among themselves.
- If CBS broadcasts the Super Bowl, Paramount Plus subscribers with a live TV plan can watch it through the live CBS feed on the app.
- The Super Bowl rotates between networks every few years, so the streaming home changes depending on which network has the rights that year.
- If you do not have a live TV subscription to Paramount Plus, you will need to watch through the network's own streaming app or website.
How Paramount Plus live TV subscriptions work
Paramount Plus offers a Premium tier with ads that includes access to live TV channels, including CBS. This tier costs more than the standard Premium plan and gives you the ability to watch CBS programming as it airs, including news, sports, and special events like the Super Bowl when CBS has the broadcast rights.
To watch the Super Bowl on Paramount Plus, you need to confirm two things: first, that CBS has the broadcast rights that year, and second, that your subscription includes the live TV add-on. You can check your subscription type in the Paramount Plus app under Account Settings. If you have the Premium tier without live TV, you will not see the live CBS feed.
Which network broadcasts the Super Bowl in upcoming years
The Super Bowl broadcast rights are divided among three networks on a rotating schedule. CBS will broadcast Super Bowl LIX in February 2025. NBC will have the Super Bowl in 2026. Fox will broadcast it in 2027. After that, the cycle repeats.
Because the rights rotate, the streaming home for the Super Bowl changes each year. In years when CBS has the broadcast, Paramount Plus (with live TV) is one way to watch. In NBC years, you would use the NBC app or Peacock. In Fox years, you would use the Fox app or Fox Now. This rotation means you cannot rely on the same streaming service every year.
Watching the Super Bowl without a Paramount Plus live TV subscription
If you have a standard Paramount Plus subscription without live TV, you have other options to watch the Super Bowl. The network that broadcasts the game always streams it on their own app and website. CBS streams the Super Bowl on CBS.com and the CBS app. NBC streams on NBC.com and the NBC app. Fox streams on Fox.com and the Fox app.
Many of these network apps require you to sign in with a cable or streaming TV provider account to watch live sports. If you do not have a provider login, some networks offer free streaming of the Super Bowl to anyone, though this varies by year and network. Check the network's website a few days before the game to see what streaming options are available.
Using other streaming services to watch the Super Bowl
Several streaming services carry live TV packages that include the broadcast networks. YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and Sling TV all include CBS, NBC, or Fox depending on your location and plan. These services cost between $55 and $85 per month and give you access to live broadcasts of the Super Bowl regardless of which network has the rights that year.
If you already subscribe to one of these services, you can watch the Super Bowl through their apps on any device. These services also let you record the game if you want to watch it later, though the Super Bowl is rarely replayed in full on streaming services when ready after it airs.
Super Bowl streaming on social media and free platforms
In recent years, some networks have experimented with free streaming of the Super Bowl on social media platforms and their own websites. CBS has offered free streaming of the Super Bowl on CBS.com without requiring a cable login. This changes year to year, so it is worth checking the broadcast network's website about a week before the game to see if free streaming is available.
TikTok, YouTube, and other social platforms sometimes host clips and highlights during and after the game, but they do not stream the full broadcast. Relying on these platforms for live coverage is not a reliable way to watch the entire game.
Planning ahead for Super Bowl streaming
The Super Bowl date is set well in advance — it always falls on the first Sunday in February. If you know you want to watch it, check which network has the broadcast rights that year and decide whether to add a live TV subscription, use the network's app, or sign up for a streaming TV service. Making this decision a week or two before the game gives you time to set up your account and test it before the broadcast starts.
If you are a Paramount Plus subscriber and CBS is broadcasting the Super Bowl, upgrading to the live TV tier is straightforward through the app. If another network has the rights, you will need to use that network's streaming option instead. Planning ahead prevents the frustration of trying to find a working stream on game day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the Super Bowl on Paramount Plus if I do not have live TV?
No. A standard Paramount Plus subscription does not include the Super Bowl. You need the Premium tier with live TV, and even then, only when CBS broadcasts the game. In other years, you would need to watch through the network that has the rights.
Does Paramount Plus show Super Bowl reruns or highlights?
Paramount Plus does not typically offer full replays of the Super Bowl. Some clips and highlights may appear on the service days after the game, but the complete broadcast is not usually available on demand through Paramount Plus.
What if I want to watch the Super Bowl but do not have cable?
You can watch through the broadcast network's free website or app (CBS, NBC, or Fox depending on the year), or you can sign up for a streaming TV service like YouTube TV or Hulu with Live TV. Some years the network offers free streaming without a cable login, so check their website before the game.
Will the Super Bowl ever be exclusive to Paramount Plus?
No. The Super Bowl broadcast rights are held by CBS, NBC, and Fox, and these networks rotate the broadcast among themselves. Paramount Plus can only show it when CBS has the rights and only if you have a live TV subscription.
How much does it cost to add live TV to Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus Premium with live TV costs more than the standard Premium plan, but the exact price varies by region and changes periodically. Check the Paramount Plus website or app to see the current pricing for your area.