Who wants the NFL? Paramount prepares to pay more
Who wants the NFL? Paramount prepares to pay more
Negotiations for NFL rights could get wild in the next few months. Here’s where Paramount stands.
The NFL is ready to tear up its existing deals with current broadcast partners and renegotiate better terms for itself. The opt-out clause in its contracts with the likes of CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC, and others isn’t available until 2029, but the league knows its product is more valuable than the revenue it is generating currently, and it wants to cash in before the start of the 2026 season.
Since the methods that fans use to watch games could be about to change dramatically, The Streamable thought it would be helpful to profile each outlet that could be angling for a major package of NFL games. First up is CBS and its parent company, Paramount Skydance; we’ll let you know where things stand wth negotiations between Paramount and the league, what games you can expect to see on Paramount platforms, and more below.
Profiling the competitors: what you need to know about CBS and the NFL
Does CBS already have a package of NFL games?
Yes, CBS carries one of the NFL’s two main Sunday afternoon packages, mainly focused on teams from the AFC, but incorporating NFC clubs as well. CBS’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, pays $2 billion per season for this package of games. CBS also has the rights to broadcast playoff games, including the AFC Championship game each season, and Super Bowl LXII in 2028.
Do NFL games on CBS stream anywhere?
Yes. The deal between the NFL and Paramount allows games appearing on CBS to be streamed on Paramount+. If an NFL game is airing on CBS in your market on a given Sunday, it will be available to stream live on either Paramount+ plan; the streamer’s ad-supported Essential tier costs $9 per month, while the ad-free Premium tier costs $14.
Where do things stand between the NFL and Paramount?
The NFL and Paramount have already advanced in talks regarding a new broadcast deal. As of March 2026, it’s expected that Paramount will pay an extra $1 billion per season to lock up its current NFL package through 2033 or 2034. There’s no thought whatsoever of Paramount giving up its NFL package, so don’t expect CBS to lose any games in the season to come, regardless of price tag.
Will CBS get any more NFL games in its current deal?
A momentous deal between the NFL and ESPN allows the league to claw back four games from ESPN, the rights of which are now available to sell. In addition, the league is potentially looking to offer a Thanksgiving Eve game in 2026, which will likely be pulled out of its existing Sunday packages.
CBS could make a play for any of these contests, but the league may give preferential treatment to streaming services in the bidding process. Keep checking with The Streamable for more updates on the status of these games; we’ll let you know as soon as the league makes any decisions.
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.