Whether the Super Bowl streams on Paramount Plus depends on which network has the broadcast rights that year

The Super Bowl does not air on Paramount Plus every year. CBS owns Paramount Plus, and CBS only broadcasts the Super Bowl in certain years on a rotating schedule shared with NBC, Fox, and ABC. When CBS has the rights, the game streams on Paramount Plus — but you need an active subscription, and the stream may require you to authenticate with a cable or streaming TV provider account.

The rotation means CBS broadcasts the Super Bowl roughly once every four years. The next CBS Super Bowl is in 2025 (Super Bowl LIX). If another network holds the rights in a given year, you will not find the game on Paramount Plus, even with a paid subscription.

Key Takeaways

  • CBS broadcasts the Super Bowl only in certain years; when CBS has the rights, the game streams on Paramount Plus with a subscription.
  • You may need to sign in with a cable or streaming TV provider account to watch, even if you pay for Paramount Plus.
  • If NBC, Fox, or ABC has the broadcast rights that year, the Super Bowl will not be on Paramount Plus.
  • Check Paramount Plus directly or the NFL's official schedule a few weeks before the game to confirm which network is broadcasting.

How the Super Bowl broadcast rights work

The NFL sells Super Bowl broadcast rights to multiple networks on a rotating basis. Each network gets a turn to air the game, and the rotation cycles through CBS, NBC, Fox, and ABC. This means the same network does not broadcast the Super Bowl every year — CBS might have it one year, then Fox the next, then NBC, and so on.

Because Paramount Plus is owned by CBS, the game only streams there when CBS holds the rights. If you want to watch on Paramount Plus, you first need to know whether CBS is broadcasting that year. The easiest way to check is to visit the NFL's official website or Paramount Plus itself a few weeks before the game.

What subscription level you need on Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus offers two subscription tiers: with ads and ad-free. Both tiers include live CBS broadcasts, which means both can stream the Super Bowl when CBS has the rights. You do not need to upgrade to the ad-free plan to watch the game.

However, Paramount Plus may require you to authenticate — that is, sign in with a cable or streaming TV provider account — to access the live stream. This is separate from your Paramount Plus subscription. If you do not have a cable or streaming TV provider account, you may not be able to watch the live broadcast, even with a paid Paramount Plus subscription. Check the Paramount Plus app or website closer to game day to see whether authentication is required that year.

When CBS broadcasts the Super Bowl

CBS will broadcast the Super Bowl in 2025 (Super Bowl LIX). The next CBS Super Bowl after that will be in 2029. Between those years, other networks will hold the rights, and the game will not stream on Paramount Plus.

The exact broadcast schedule depends on NFL contracts, which can change. Rather than relying on a predicted schedule, check the NFL's official broadcast information or Paramount Plus directly a few weeks before the Super Bowl to confirm which network is airing the game that year.

How to find the Super Bowl on Paramount Plus

When CBS has the broadcast rights, the Super Bowl typically appears on the Paramount Plus home page under a featured section a few days before the game. You can also search for "Super Bowl" in the app or on the website. The game usually streams live starting a few minutes before kickoff.

If you cannot find the game listed, it likely means another network has the rights that year. Double-check the NFL's official schedule or call Paramount Plus customer service to confirm. Do not assume the game is available just because you have a subscription — the broadcast rights determine whether it streams, not your subscription status.

What to do if another network is broadcasting

If NBC, Fox, or ABC has the Super Bowl rights that year, you will need to watch on that network instead. NBC streams the game on Peacock (NBC's streaming service), Fox streams on the Fox app or website, and ABC streams on Hulu or the ABC app. Each network's streaming option may have different authentication requirements.

Some streaming TV services like YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, or Sling TV carry multiple networks, so if you subscribe to one of those, you may be able to watch the Super Bowl regardless of which network has the rights. Check your streaming TV service's channel lineup to see whether it includes the network broadcasting that year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need cable to watch the Super Bowl on Paramount Plus?

You need a Paramount Plus subscription, but you may also need to sign in with a cable or streaming TV provider account to authenticate the live stream. If you do not have either, you may not be able to watch the broadcast, even with Paramount Plus. Check the app closer to game day to see what is required.

Can I watch the Super Bowl on Paramount Plus if I have the ad-free plan?

Yes. Both the ad-supported and ad-free Paramount Plus plans include live CBS broadcasts. When CBS has the Super Bowl rights, both subscription tiers can stream the game.

What if I miss the live broadcast?

Paramount Plus sometimes offers on-demand replays of the Super Bowl after the live broadcast ends, but availability varies. Check the app after the game to see whether a replay is available. If not, you may need to wait for highlights or clips to appear on the NFL's official channels or other streaming services.

How do I know if CBS is broadcasting the Super Bowl this year?

Visit the NFL's official website or check Paramount Plus directly a few weeks before the game. Both sources will list which network is broadcasting. You can also search online for "Super Bowl [year] broadcast network" to find the answer quickly.