The Grammy Awards air on CBS, not Paramount Plus
The Grammy Awards broadcast itself does not stream on Paramount Plus. CBS holds the television rights and airs the ceremony live on the CBS network. However, Paramount Plus (the streaming service owned by the same parent company, Paramount) sometimes offers ways to watch depending on your subscription tier and location.
Your options depend on whether you have a Paramount Plus account, what tier you subscribe to, and whether CBS is available through your internet provider. The simplest route is often to watch on CBS directly if you have cable or an antenna, or to check what Paramount Plus offers during Grammy week.
Key Takeaways
- The Grammy Awards broadcast airs on CBS television; Paramount Plus does not hold the primary streaming rights.
- Paramount Plus with Showtime (the premium tier) sometimes includes live CBS feeds, which may carry the Grammys depending on the year and your region.
- If you have cable or a cable login, you can stream the CBS broadcast through the CBS app or website during the live show.
- An over-the-air antenna connected to a TV will pick up the CBS broadcast for free in most areas.
- Paramount Plus occasionally makes the Grammys available on-demand after the live broadcast, though this is not may provide every year.
Paramount Plus with Showtime and live CBS access
Paramount Plus offers two subscription tiers: the standard plan and Paramount Plus with Showtime. The Showtime tier includes access to live CBS feeds in some markets, which means you may be able to watch the Grammy Awards live if CBS is broadcasting it and your region is covered.
This is not the same as having the Grammys exclusively on Paramount Plus. You are watching the CBS broadcast through the Paramount Plus app when CBS is airing it live. The availability of live CBS varies by location and changes year to year, so you should check your Paramount Plus account a few days before the Grammys to see whether the live feed is active in your area.
If you already pay for Paramount Plus with Showtime for other reasons (Showtime original series, for example), this may be your easiest option. If you do not have this tier, the cost of upgrading just to watch the Grammys is usually higher than other routes.
Using a cable login to stream on CBS
If you have cable or satellite TV through a provider like Comcast, Charter, AT&T, or Dish, you can log in to the CBS app or CBS.com with your cable credentials and stream the Grammy Awards live during the broadcast. This works whether or not you subscribe to Paramount Plus.
The CBS app is free to read on phones, tablets, and streaming devices. You will need to enter your cable provider name and account login when prompted. The live stream usually becomes available 15 to 30 minutes before the broadcast begins.
This option requires no additional subscription beyond what you already pay for cable, and it works on most devices including Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and smart TVs with built-in apps.
Watching with an antenna or on CBS broadcast television
CBS broadcasts the Grammy Awards over the air, which means you can watch it free with an antenna connected to any television. An antenna costs between $20 and $60 depending on the type and range, and works indefinitely with no monthly fees.
If you already have cable or satellite TV, your TV is already tuned to CBS and you can watch the broadcast the same way you watch any other CBS show. No streaming, no app, no login required.
This is the most straightforward option if you have a TV and antenna or cable service. The trade-off is that you cannot pause, rewind, or watch on a phone or tablet — you are watching live as it airs.
On-demand viewing after the broadcast
Paramount Plus sometimes makes Grammy Awards content available on-demand after the live broadcast ends, though this is not may provide every year. When it does happen, the content usually appears within a few hours of the show ending and remains available for several days or weeks.
Check your Paramount Plus app the day after the Grammys to see whether full-show or highlight clips are available. You can also search "Grammy Awards" in the app to see what is currently there. If nothing appears, the broadcast may not have been made available that year.
Checking Paramount Plus before Grammy night
A few days before the Grammy Awards, open your Paramount Plus app and search for "Grammy Awards" or "Grammys." The app will show you what content is available and whether a live broadcast option is active in your region. If you see a live option, tap it to confirm it works on your device.
If nothing appears in the search, or if the live option is not available in your area, you know to use one of the other methods instead. This takes two minutes and saves you from discovering the night of the show that your plan will not work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the Grammys on regular Paramount Plus without Showtime?
Regular Paramount Plus does not include live CBS feeds. You would need to use a cable login through the CBS app, watch on an antenna or cable TV, or wait to see if on-demand clips appear after the broadcast. The Showtime tier is the only Paramount Plus option that includes live CBS access.
Do I need a cable subscription to watch on Paramount Plus?
If you have Paramount Plus with Showtime and live CBS is available in your region, you do not need cable. If you want to use the CBS app to stream, you do need a cable or satellite login. An antenna requires no subscription at all.
Will the full Grammy Awards show be on Paramount Plus after it airs?
Sometimes, but not every year. Paramount Plus may post the full broadcast or highlight clips within hours of the show ending. Check the app the next day to see what is available. There is no may provide the full show will be posted.
What if I do not have cable or an antenna?
Your best option is Paramount Plus with Showtime if live CBS is available in your area, or wait for on-demand content to appear after the broadcast. Some streaming TV services like YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV also carry CBS and the Grammys, though those require separate subscriptions.
Can I rewind or pause the Grammy Awards if I stream it?
If you watch live through the CBS app or Paramount Plus, you can usually pause and rewind during the broadcast. If you watch on a cable TV or antenna, you cannot pause unless you have a DVR. On-demand clips after the show can be paused and rewound freely.