CBS wants to keep your attention once this weekend’s AFC Championship game ends! At 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 26 (immediately following the end of the game), CBS will air the series premiere of “Watson,” the new contemporary medical drama that uses characters from Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes world. It centers on the titular Dr. Watson, who tries to re-dedicate himself to the practice of medicine after the apparent death of Holmes. You can stream episodes the next day on Paramount+, or live with a five-day free trial of DIRECTV STREAM.

How to watch ‘Watson’ series premiere

• When: Sunday, Jan. 26 at 10 p.m. ET
• TV: CBS, Paramount+
• Stream: Watch with a buy-link: directv-stream text: five-day free trial of DIRECTV STREAM).
• From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.

Everything you need to know about “Watson”

About ‘Watson’

“Watson” is set six months after the title character’s longtime investigative partner and friend Sherlock Holmes apparently died at the hands of his arch-nemesis Moriarty. Dr. Watson tries to resume his medical career, setting up shop at a clinic in Pittsburgh with a special emphasis on attempting to cure rare diseases.

Soon, however, signs begin to surface that Moriarty survived his fatal encounter with Holmes. As Watson’s past life returns to menace his future, he must continue to try to solve medical mysteries while preparing to defeat his greatest enemy — again.

Why we chose DIRECTV STREAM to watch ‘Watson’

DIRECTV STREAM carries CBS in a huge number of markets around the country, so you can watch the series premiere of “Watson” live. Each DIRECTV STREAM package carries 31 or more of The Streamable’s top 35 cable channels, guaranteeing that you won’t run out of content to watch any time soon while watching the service.

DIRECTV STREAM also comes with a five-day free trial for new subscribers, so you can see the premiere episode free if you’ve never signed up for the service before!

5-Day Trial

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DIRECTV

DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.

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Following the launch of several genre-specific Genre Packs, there are now even more flexible ways to watch DIRECTV. Options like MySports, MyEntertainment, MyNews, and MiEspañol provide affordable, targeted alternatives to larger bundles, allowing viewers to subscribe to a specific set of channels that match their interests without the cost of a full lineup.

DIRECTV starts at $59.99 / month for its Entertainment package. You can access your local regional sports network with the Choice package, which begins at $64.99 / month, as well as the MySports Pack $44.99 / month. At the top end, they also have an Ultimate ($94.99) for 218 channels. Slimmer Genre Packs for entertainment and news are MyEntertainment for $42.99 / month and MyNews $39.99 / month. There is no contract or broadcast TV fees with this DIRECTV streaming option.

The service was previously called DIRECTV STREAM, preceded by AT&T TV.

How much does DIRECTV cost in 2026?

DIRECTV now offers flexible entry points starting at $19.99/month for the MyKids Genre Pack, while full Signature Packages like Entertainment start at $84.99/month. See the full list: DIRECTV Pricing & Plans

Does DIRECTV have a free trial?

Yes, DIRECTV offers a 5-Day Free Trial for new customers, which includes access to your chosen package and any added Genre Packs.

What are DIRECTV Genre Packs?

Genre Packs are targeted, contract-free plans introduced in 2025. They include MySports ($69.99/mo), MyEntertainment ($34.99/mo), MyNews ($39.99/mo), and MiEspañol ($34.99/mo), often bundling apps like Max, Disney+, or Hulu.

How many channels does DIRECTV have?

The channel count varies by plan: the Entertainment package starts with 90+ channels, while the Premier package offers over 185+ channels. See the full list: DIRECTV Channels.

How many streams are allowed at once on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV allows for unlimited simultaneous streams on your home network and up to 3 streams while on the go. See more details: DIRECTV Simultaneous Streams

Does DIRECTV include local channels?

Yes, local affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are included in all Signature Packages and the MySports Genre Pack in most markets. See the full list: DIRECTV Local Channels.

Does DIRECTV have live sports?

DIRECTV is a leader in sports, offering ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and MLB Network, plus Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in the Choice plan and above. See the full list: DIRECTV Sports Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer premium channels?

Yes, you can add Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax. Many 2026 Genre Packs now include these services as part of the base price. See the full list: DIRECTV Premium Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer 4K streaming?

DIRECTV provides dedicated 4K channels (104-106) for live sports and special events at no extra cost, provided you have a compatible 4K device.

Does DIRECTV have a DVR?

Every DIRECTV plan includes Unlimited Cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record and save shows for up to 9 months.

Is there a Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee on DIRECTV?

An RSN fee of up to $15.99/month applies to the Choice package and above, as these plans include local sports coverage. This fee is determined by your zip code and the number of Regional Sports Networks available in your area.

Can I avoid the RSN fee on DIRECTV?

Yes. To avoid the RSN fee, you can subscribe to the Entertainment package or the MySports Genre Pack ($69.99/mo), which bundles sports content without a separate itemized RSN charge. See the breakdown: DIRECTV RSN Fees & Locations.

5-Day Trial

$59.99+ / month

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Start streaming DIRECTV & save up to $30 off your 1st mo. of service! Learn how.

Can you stream ‘Watson’ for free?

“Watson” can be streamed free with one of four live TV services: DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and YouTube TV. Hulu + Live TV’s trial is three days in length, and that trial is standard for all new subscribers.

Fubo and YouTube TV have trickier trial offers. Fubo’s can last from one to seven days, while YouTube TV’s can range from two days to two weeks, depending on what time of the month you sign up. Neither streamer tells you how long your trial will be until you initiate the subscription process.

Viewers can also stream “Watson” live on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, thanks to the inclusion of a CBS live stream on that plan. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME costs $13 per month but comes with a seven-day free trial for all new customers.

What are all the streaming services you can use to watch ‘Watson’?

The free trial options available for watching “Watson” also comprise the complete list of streaming options for the show. You can watch it on DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV, as well as Paramount+ with SHOWTIME live.

Paramount+’s Essential plan will get episodes of “Watson” as well, but it won’t stream them live. Subscribers to this plan will have to wait until the next day to stream episodes of “Watson.”

Does ‘Watson’ take place in the same universe as ‘Elementary’?

CBS debuted another Sherlock Holmes TV series set in the modern day called “Elementary” in 2012. That series ran for seven seasons and featured Lucy Liu in the role of Dr. Joan Watson.

“Watson” is not set in the same on-screen universe, and does not overlap with “Elementary.” Some of the characters are the same, but that’s where the similarities between the shows end.