What you’ll actually find inside the Paramount+ TV library
What you’ll actually find inside the Paramount+ TV library
It’s not the flashiest streamer, but Paramount+ runs deep in reliable, rewatchable series.
Whenever I hear Paramount+, my brain immediately jumps to CBS and Showtime. And endless reruns of “NCIS.” And sure, that’s still a big part of what the platform offers. Paramount+ is built around a lot of what the parent company does best: procedurals, reality staples, and legacy hits from cable networks like Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, and Comedy Central. But it’s also not the whole story. Once you start digging, you realize this is quietly one of the deepest comfort TV libraries on streaming — with a growing slate of originals and more variety than you might expect.
So I wanted to take stock of where things stand in 2025. What does Paramount+ actually do really well? What feels a little thin? How often are new shows dropping, and how deep is the bench once you’ve blown through the big franchises? And what’s the deal with all those licensing quirks that keep sending stuff to other platforms? Yes, looking at you, “Yellowstone.” Let’s break it all down so you know whether it’s a worthy addition to your streaming subscription line-up.
Feel free to share your thoughts about Paramount+’s offerings in the comments below.
Everything you need to know about the Paramount+ TV show streaming library:
What TV genres does Paramount+ do really well?
Let’s start with the obvious: Paramount+ is the place for franchise TV. If you’re into world-building, legacy characters, or just want to live inside one cinematic universe for a few weeks, this platform’s got you covered. Pretty much every single “Star Trek” series lives here, from the classics to the newer stuff like “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “Star Trek: Lower Decks.” Then there’s the Taylor Sheridan empire, which keeps expanding: prequels like “1883” and “1923,” plus crime dramas like “Tulsa King” and “Mayor of Kingstown.” These aren’t just spinoffs — they’re full-on tentpole shows that give the platform a consistent edge in action, westerns, and high-stakes drama.
But that’s not the only thing Paramount+ crushes. If you’re into reality TV, this is quietly one of the best libraries out there. You’ve got decades of CBS hits like “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” and “Big Brother,” all in one place. Then add in the MTV chaos: “Jersey Shore,” “The Challenge,” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Whether you’re into alliances, catfights, or competitions, there’s always something messy to binge.
And if you’ve got kids, it’s hard to beat the Nickelodeon lineup. The library here is massive with classics like “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Blue’s Clues,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and “Dora the Explorer.” If you’re a parent looking for a safe, solid catalog that won’t make you want to throw the remote, Paramount+ has a lot to like.
And of course, you can’t talk about Paramount+ without mentioning their procedural empire. Nobody does crime-of-the-week drama like CBS, and Paramount+ is basically the vault. You’ve got the full lineup of “NCIS” plus spinoffs like “NCIS: Hawai’i” and the brand-new Paramount+ original “NCIS: Tony & Ziva” that starts streaming Thursday, Sept. 4. Same goes for “CSI” and its offshoots, “SEAL Team,” “Blue Bloods,” and courtroom hits like “The Good Wife” and “Bull.” If you’re someone who just wants something solid playing in the background — something that always ends with a solve and a sting — this is the platform to beat. It’s steady, reliable, and extremely deep.
What TV genres could Paramount+ do more of?
What I’m still missing from Paramount+ is that next-level adult drama that isn’t part of the “NCIS” or “CSI” machine. I’d love more prestige murder thrillers that stand on their own — something in the vein of “UNTAMED” on Netflix. Right now, if a show doesn’t fall under the Sheridan umbrella or some kind of existing franchise, it feels like it barely gets made. There’s so much potential here for a great Paramount+ original, but the platform hasn’t really gone after those one-season slow-burn thrillers or emotionally grounded dramas that other streamers are investing in. There’s definitely room to grow in this space.
Comedy’s another area that just doesn’t quite click for me. Beyond rewatching “Key & Peele” or the occasional new episode of “South Park,” I barely check the section. The “Frasier” reboot kind of came and went, and while “Ghosts” is still running, nothing really grabs me. There’s not a lot of fresh, single-cam comedies with strong writing or emotional depth — the kind of thing that fills the space between “Hacks” and “Ted Lasso.” And honestly, that feels like a missed opportunity. Comedy’s one of the easiest ways to build loyalty, especially when you hit that rewatchable tone.
There’s also a tonal gap across the board. Paramount+ knows exactly how to deliver a franchise or procedural, but the middle ground — the stuff that’s just good, grounded, adult TV — still feels underdeveloped. The Showtime integration does help a bit here. With the premium tier, you get access to the entire “Dexter” universe, including the brand new “Dexter: Resurrection,” along with Showtime classics like “Billions,” and “The Chi,” which bring more of that prestige drama flavor. But they feel like their own little pocket, separate from what the rest of the platform is doing. And even with those heavy hitters in the mix, Paramount+ still isn’t launching much new in that zone. If they ever decide to go all-in on premium dramas that aren’t part of a franchise or the Taylor Sheridan universe, that could be the next evolution for the platform.
How often does new content drop on Paramount+?
Paramount+ is more of a slow-and-steady kind of streamer. You’re not getting a dozen new shows every week, but there’s usually one big title each month anchoring the slate. In 2025 alone, we’ve seen “NCIS: Tony & Ziva,” “School Spirits” Season 2, and “Yellowjackets” Season 3 hit in different windows. Franchise extensions like “Strange New Worlds” and “Tulsa King,” and “Dexter: Resurrection” get top billing, and they usually roll out weekly instead of dropping all at once.
That weekly rollout does a good job of keeping you subscribed, but it also means the platform can feel kind of quiet between tentpoles. You do get new CBS episodes the day after they air, which definitely helps fill the gaps. But if you’re not into whatever’s airing right now — whether it’s reality, procedurals, or network comedies — there isn’t a constant stream of fresh originals to keep you locked in week after week.
How deep is Paramount+’s TV show library?
If you grew up on CBS, you could basically live inside Paramount+. The library goes deep on classic comfort TV. We’re talking full runs of shows like “I Love Lucy,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Happy Days,” “Family Ties,” and “Taxi.” You’ve also got wall-to-wall “NCIS” and “Blue Bloods” reruns. And sitcom fans can go full nostalgia mode with “The King of Queens,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and the original “Frasier.” It’s a buffet of network TV comfort food, and it’s all right there.
Then there’s the Showtime vault, which adds a ton of adult-skewing depth. You get full series runs of shows like “Dexter,” “Californication,” “The Chi,” “Ray Donovan,” and “Penny Dreadful,” plus some newer prestige originals that flew under the radar. For anyone who missed the Showtime era of 2000s TV — messy antiheroes, sexy thrillers, edgy dramas — this section is a goldmine. And because it’s part of the Paramount+ Premium tier now, it all lives in one place.
MTV, Comedy Central, and BET also bring the goods. The full run of “Reno 911!”? Yup. “Beavis and Butt-Head” and “Key & Peele”? Both here. There are VH1 throwbacks, BET sitcoms, and new and old eps of “South Park.” This corner of the library is chaotic, fun, and really rewatchable… a nice break from the heavy stuff if you just want to put something on and zone out.
And of course, there’s Nickelodeon. It’s not just “SpongeBob SquarePants” — though obviously, SpongeBob is here. But you also get ‘90s and early-2000s teen gems like “iCarly,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “7th Heaven,” and even cult classics like “Freaks and Geeks.” If you were raised on SNICK or TeenNick, you’ll feel right at home here. The kids’ section isn’t just for current families — it’s built for anyone who wants to rewind a little.
The only catch with the Paramount+ TV show library? Not everything here is guaranteed to stay. Some Paramount+ originals have disappeared after short runs, like “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,” which quietly vanished in 2024. It’s not super common, but it does happen, especially with shows that didn’t get big numbers. And while Paramount owns the rights to massive hits like “Yellowstone,” the original series still streams on Peacock because of a long-standing licensing deal. So even though the library feels deep (and it is), there are a few big holes and the occasional vanishing act. If something’s on your watchlist, it might be worth bumping it up.
Too long didn’t read summary
Paramount+ is a comfort-TV machine powered by CBS hits, Nickelodeon favorites, and big-name franchises like “Star Trek” and the “Yellowstone” universe. The library is deep in reality, procedurals, kids’ content, and throwback comedies, with Showtime now adding some edge. But if you’re looking for prestige dramas or new comedies, there’s still work to be done. Still, new shows drop monthly, usually one big tentpole at a time, and next-day CBS episodes help fill the gaps between bigger releases. The big advantage? Access to the full Showtime library, which makes Paramount+ a really solid addition to any streaming line-up.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.