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How to Stream NFL Games on Paramount+ with CBS Sunday Broadcasts
Every Sunday during NFL season, millions of fans tune in to CBS for the big afternoon games. But if you’re outside the local broadcast area-or just don’t have cable-how do you actually watch those games? The answer is simple: Paramount+. It’s the only place where you can stream every CBS-broadcast NFL game live, no antenna or satellite required. And it’s not just a backup option-it’s the official home for AFC games on Sunday afternoons.
What NFL games are on Paramount+?
Paramount+ carries all NFL games that air on CBS, which means you get every Sunday afternoon AFC matchup. That includes teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers. If the game is being broadcast on CBS in your region, it’s streaming live on Paramount+ nationwide.
It’s not just the regular season. You also get the AFC playoffs, including the AFC Championship game, right on Paramount+. And if your team makes it to the Super Bowl and CBS is the broadcaster that year, you’ll stream it there too. The NFL and CBS have a deal that runs through 2033, so this isn’t going away anytime soon.
There’s one key detail: You don’t need to be in the team’s home market. Even if you live in Sydney and your favorite team is the New England Patriots, you can still watch every CBS-broadcast game live on Paramount+. No blackouts. No regional restrictions.
How to sign up for Paramount+
Signing up takes less than five minutes. Go to paramountplus.com on your phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV. Click ‘Start Your Free Trial’-you’ll get seven days free, no credit card required to start. After that, it’s $5.99/month with ads or $11.99/month without. That’s cheaper than most streaming services and way cheaper than cable.
You don’t need a special plan. The Essential plan (with ads) gives you full access to NFL games. You don’t need the Premium plan unless you want to watch movies and shows without commercials. For NFL fans, Essential is enough.
Some people think they need a cable login. That’s wrong. Paramount+ works on its own. No username or password from another provider. Just your email, a password, and your payment info after the trial ends.
How to watch on your device
Paramount+ works on almost everything. Here’s how to get it on the most common devices:
- Smart TVs: Open your TV’s app store (Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio), search for ‘Paramount+', download, and sign in.
- Streaming sticks: Fire Stick, Roku, Apple TV-just search the store and install the app.
- Phones and tablets: Download the Paramount+ app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
- Computers: Go to paramountplus.com in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. No download needed.
- Game consoles: PlayStation and Xbox both have the Paramount+ app in their stores.
Once you’re logged in, just open the app on game day. Tap ‘NFL’ in the menu or search for ‘NFL on CBS’. The live stream will show up with a countdown timer before kickoff. You can also set a reminder in the app so you don’t miss the start.
What’s included besides live games?
Paramount+ isn’t just about live games. After each Sunday game, you get full replays-watch the whole match again, or skip to the key plays. The NFL on CBS highlights are uploaded within minutes of the final whistle. You can watch touchdowns, big tackles, and coaching challenges anytime.
You also get access to ‘NFL GameTime’, the official pre-game and post-game show. It’s hosted by former players and analysts who break down the matchups, injuries, and strategy. It’s not just filler-it’s useful insight you won’t get on regular TV.
There’s also ‘NFL Sunday Ticket’ content on Paramount+, including condensed games (25-minute versions), coach’s film, and stats-heavy breakdowns. If you’re a fan who likes to dig deeper, this is the extra layer you didn’t know you needed.
What you can’t get on Paramount+
Not every NFL game is on CBS. That means not every game is on Paramount+. Here’s the breakdown:
- Not on Paramount+: Sunday night games (NBC/Peacock), Monday night games (ESPN/Prime Video), Thursday night games (Amazon), and games broadcast on Fox.
- On Paramount+: Only Sunday afternoon games that air on CBS.
If you want to watch all games, you’ll need multiple services. But if you only care about AFC teams and Sunday afternoons, Paramount+ covers everything you need. You don’t need to pay for NFL Sunday Ticket anymore-unless you’re watching out-of-market games on Fox, which Paramount+ doesn’t carry.
Can you watch outside the U.S.?
Yes. Paramount+ is available in Australia, Canada, Latin America, and parts of Europe. If you’re in Brisbane, you can stream every CBS NFL game live. The service works the same way: download the app, sign in, and watch.
There’s one catch: Some international users report occasional buffering during peak hours. That’s usually fixed by switching to a lower video quality setting in the app’s settings. Go to Profile > Settings > Video Quality and pick ‘Standard’ instead of ‘High’ if you’re on a slower connection.
There’s no geo-blocking for NFL games on Paramount+. Even if you’re using a VPN, the NFL feed is unblocked for international users. You don’t need to trick the system. Just sign up and play.
Is Paramount+ better than other options?
Let’s compare it to the other ways people watch NFL games:
| Service | Games Covered | Price (Monthly) | Ads? | Offline Download? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ | CBS Sunday AFC games only | $5.99 (with ads) | Yes (Essential) | No |
| NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube) | All out-of-market Sunday games | $99.99 | No | Yes |
| ESPN+ | Monday night games, some Thursday games | $9.99 | Yes | Yes |
| Prime Video | Thursday night games, one Sunday game | $14.99 (with Prime) | Yes | Yes |
| FuboTV | CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN | $79.99 | Yes | Yes |
Paramount+ wins if you only care about Sunday afternoons. It’s the cheapest option that gives you live games. If you want every single game, you’ll pay more. But for most fans, the CBS games are the ones they watch most.
Pro tips for streaming on Paramount+
- Use the ‘Watchlist’ feature to save your favorite teams. The app will remind you when their game is live.
- Turn on notifications in the app so you get a push alert 15 minutes before kickoff.
- Use Chromecast or AirPlay to send the stream to your TV without plugging in a device.
- If you’re on mobile data, download the app on Wi-Fi first. Streaming live games uses about 2GB per game.
- Don’t rely on the website alone on mobile. The app is faster, more stable, and has better controls.
One thing to avoid: Don’t try to share your account with 10 people. Paramount+ allows up to three simultaneous streams. If you go over that, you’ll get kicked out. It’s fine for families, but not for big group watch parties.
What if the stream freezes or buffers?
It happens. Here’s what to do:
- Check your internet speed. You need at least 10 Mbps for HD streaming.
- Restart your router. Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
- Close other apps on your device. Background downloads or updates can slow things down.
- Switch to a lower video quality in the app settings.
- Try a different device. If it works on your phone but not your TV, the problem is the TV, not the stream.
Most issues are solved by restarting your connection. Paramount+ has a 99.8% uptime during NFL season. If the problem lasts more than 10 minutes, contact support through the app. They respond within 15 minutes.
Can I watch NFL games on Paramount+ without a subscription?
No, you need a Paramount+ subscription to stream live NFL games. However, you can start with a free seven-day trial. After that, the Essential plan starts at $5.99/month. There are no free live streams available, even for local games.
Do I need a cable login to use Paramount+ for NFL games?
No. Paramount+ is a standalone streaming service. You don’t need a TV provider login, cable box, or satellite subscription. Just sign up directly through the Paramount+ website or app.
Is Paramount+ available in Australia?
Yes, Paramount+ is officially available in Australia. You can stream all CBS NFL games live, including Sunday afternoon matchups. The service works the same way as in the U.S.-just download the app or visit paramountplus.com and sign up.
Can I watch NFL games on Paramount+ on my smart TV?
Yes. Paramount+ has apps for Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, and Android TV. Search for ‘Paramount+’ in your TV’s app store, install it, and log in with your account. The interface is optimized for remote control use.
What if I miss the live game? Can I watch it later?
Yes. All CBS NFL games are available for replay on Paramount+ within minutes after the final whistle. You can watch the full game, skip to highlights, or watch the condensed version (25 minutes). Replays stay available for the rest of the season.
Does Paramount+ include NFL RedZone?
No, NFL RedZone is not available on Paramount+. It’s a separate service offered by NFL Network and requires a separate subscription through providers like YouTube TV or FuboTV. Paramount+ only carries the full CBS game broadcasts.
Final thoughts
If you’re a Sunday NFL fan and you don’t have cable, Paramount+ is your best bet. It’s cheap, reliable, and gives you every CBS game without extra fees. You don’t need to juggle multiple apps or pay for bundles you don’t use. Just sign up, open the app on game day, and watch.
It’s not perfect. No streaming service is. But for the price, the coverage, and the ease of use, Paramount+ is the simplest way to get NFL on CBS-anywhere in the world.