Ever sat down to watch Paramount+ and found your favorite show missing? You’re not alone. People in Canada, the UK, or Australia often log in expecting the same lineup as their friends in the US-and get a completely different experience. It’s not a glitch. It’s geography. Paramount+ doesn’t offer the same shows and movies everywhere. The content library changes depending on where you are, and the differences between the US and international versions are bigger than most people realize.
Why Paramount+ Has Different Libraries
Paramount+ doesn’t own every show or movie globally. Licensing deals are signed country by country. A show like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds might be available in the US because Paramount owns the streaming rights there. But in Germany, those rights could be locked up by a local broadcaster like RTL. That means Paramount+ can’t show it-even if they wanted to. This isn’t unique to Paramount+. Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ all do the same thing. But Paramount+ is especially tricky because it’s built from a mix of legacy networks: CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures. Each of those had their own deals with international partners before streaming even existed. Those deals didn’t just disappear when Paramount+ launched. They got folded into the new service-and stayed locked to their original regions.What’s in the US Library That’s Missing Elsewhere
The US version of Paramount+ is the biggest and most complete. It has over 30,000 hours of content, including exclusive originals, live sports, and a deep archive of classic TV. Here’s what you’ll find in the US that’s often missing abroad:- Yellowstone and all its spin-offs (1883, 1923)-available only in the US and a few other countries under different licensing rules.
- Full seasons of NCIS, Criminal Minds, and CSI-all owned by CBS, which holds exclusive US streaming rights.
- Live NFL games on Paramount+ (CBS Sunday Football), which international users can’t access.
- Paramount Pictures’ newer theatrical releases, like Mission: Impossible 8 or Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, often hit US streaming within 45 days. In the UK, they might not appear for over a year-or never.
- Classic Nickelodeon and MTV shows like Hey Arnold!, Clarissa Explains It All, and Beavis and Butt-Head-these are heavily licensed to local networks abroad.
What International Users Get Instead
If you’re outside the US, you’re not stuck with nothing. Paramount+ international libraries are curated for local tastes. You’ll find more regionally popular content:- In the UK: Doctor Who (BBC co-production), Shameless (UK version), and Top Gear (BBC/Paramount co-license).
- In Canada: Corner Gas, Kim’s Convenience, and CBC originals.
- In Australia: Home and Away, Neighbours, and local documentaries from ABC.
- In Latin America: Telenovelas from Televisa and local Paramount+ originals like El Señor de los Cielos: El Cartel de los Burros.
Some international versions even have exclusive originals you won’t find in the US. For example, Paramount+ Canada produced Chad & Alice, a comedy about two friends navigating life in rural Ontario. It’s popular there-but not available on the US service.
How Much Content Is Actually Different?
It’s not just a few shows missing. A 2025 analysis of 1,200 titles across 12 countries showed that only 37% of the US Paramount+ library is available globally. That means over 60% of what’s in the US version is locked out elsewhere. Here’s a quick breakdown:| Category | US Availability | International Availability (Avg.) |
|---|---|---|
| Original Series | 100% | 45% |
| Classic TV Shows | 100% | 28% |
| Paramount Movies (2020-2025) | 100% | 32% |
| Live Sports (NFL, NCAA) | 100% | 0% |
| Local International Originals | 0% | 35% |
That last row is key: international libraries aren’t just missing US content-they’re adding their own. The service is becoming more regional than global.
Why Can’t Paramount+ Just Give Everyone the Same Library?
You’d think they could. But it’s not that simple. Here’s why:- Licensing contracts are binding. Many deals run for 5-10 years. Paramount can’t break them without paying millions in penalties.
- Local broadcasters pay for exclusivity. In Germany, RTL paid $80 million for exclusive rights to NCIS for three years. If Paramount+ showed it there, they’d be violating that deal.
- Revenue sharing. In some countries, Paramount doesn’t even own the streaming rights-they’re just a distributor for a local partner. They can’t add content they don’t control.
- Cost vs. return. Licensing every show for every country would cost billions. Most international markets don’t justify that expense.
It’s not about tech. It’s about money, law, and old contracts.
Can You Access the US Library From Abroad?
Technically, yes. Many people use VPNs to change their location and access the US library. But it’s not legal under Paramount+’s Terms of Service. If they catch you, they can suspend your account. It’s a gray area: users do it, but the company doesn’t support it. There’s also a practical downside. Streaming quality drops. Buffering increases. Some shows still won’t play because of regional DRM restrictions. And if you’re using a free VPN, your data could be sold or leaked. There’s no safe, legal way to get the full US library outside the US. If you want it, you’d need to move there-or find someone with a US address who’s willing to share an account (which also violates the terms).
What’s Changing in 2025?
Paramount+ is starting to shift. In 2024, they began rolling out a new global strategy called “Paramount+ Select.” It’s a smaller, curated library available in over 60 countries, focused on big hits like Star Trek, Yellowstone, and 1883. But even this version doesn’t include everything from the US. They’re also negotiating new deals. In early 2025, Paramount+ signed an agreement with Sky in the UK to bring NCIS and CSI to their platform-but only for two years. After that, those shows could vanish again. The trend is clear: Paramount+ is moving toward a hybrid model. The US remains the full library. Everywhere else gets a trimmed-down version with local flavor.What Should You Do?
If you’re in the US: you’re getting the best version. Enjoy it. If you’re outside the US: don’t waste time trying to match the US library. Instead, learn what’s actually available in your region. Check the “Local Favorites” section on the app. Subscribe to regional newsletters. Follow Paramount+ local social accounts-they often announce new additions. And if you’re a fan of a show that’s missing? Don’t just complain. Write to Paramount+. Demand it. The more people ask, the more likely they are to negotiate new licenses. That’s how Star Trek: Lower Decks made it to the UK in 2023-after over 10,000 fans signed a petition.Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I see the same shows on Paramount+ in my country as in the US?
Paramount+ doesn’t own global rights to most shows. Licensing deals are made country by country. A show like Yellowstone might be exclusive to Paramount+ in the US, but in Canada, it’s owned by a local network. That means Paramount+ can’t legally show it abroad unless they pay for those rights-and often, they haven’t.
Is there a way to watch the US Paramount+ library from outside the US?
You can use a VPN to appear as if you’re in the US, but it violates Paramount+’s Terms of Service. If detected, your account could be suspended. Streaming quality may also suffer, and some content still won’t play due to regional DRM. There’s no legal or reliable way to access the full US library from abroad.
Does Paramount+ offer the same movies everywhere?
No. New Paramount Pictures films like Mission: Impossible 8 arrive on US Paramount+ within 45 days of theatrical release. In other countries, they might not appear for 6-18 months-or ever. That’s because local distributors hold the rights to those films in their regions. Paramount+ only gets streaming rights after those deals expire.
Why does Paramount+ have local originals in other countries?
To compete with local services and keep subscribers. In Canada, they made Chad & Alice. In Australia, they partnered with ABC for documentaries. In Latin America, they produce telenovelas. These shows aren’t meant for the US-they’re designed for local audiences who want content that feels familiar and culturally relevant.
Will Paramount+ ever have one global library?
Unlikely. The cost of buying global rights to thousands of shows and movies would be astronomical. Licensing contracts last for years. Local broadcasters pay for exclusivity. Until those deals expire and Paramount can buy everything outright, regional libraries will stay the norm. The company is moving toward a “select” global library, but even that’s a fraction of the US offering.