If you're tired of juggling three different apps just to catch your favorite game or the morning news, you're not alone. Between Paramount+ and Peacock, two of the most talked-about streaming services in 2025, the real question isn't which one has more shows-it's which one actually gets you to the live action when it matters. For sports fans and news junkies, the difference between these two isn't just about price. It’s about access, reliability, and what’s actually on when the clock ticks down.
Paramount+ Wins for NFL, UEFA, and College Football
Paramount+ is the go-to for American football fans. If you follow the NFL, you get every Sunday afternoon game broadcast by CBS-no extra fee, no cable box needed. That’s over 150 games a season, including the playoffs and the Super Bowl when CBS holds the rights. It’s not just about the games, either. The service includes Paramount+’s exclusive Thursday Night Football broadcasts, which are streamed in 4K with multi-camera angles and real-time stats you won’t find on broadcast TV.
For soccer fans, Paramount+ is the only U.S. streaming home for UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches. That means every group stage game, knockout round, and final is available live. You also get MLS matches, Serie A, and the FA Cup. If you’re into college football, you’ll find nearly all Big Ten games on Paramount+, thanks to its partnership with the conference. No other streaming service offers that level of live college sports coverage.
Peacock Has NBC Sports, Premier League, and Olympics
Peacock’s strength lies in its deep ties to NBCUniversal. If you’re a fan of the Premier League, Peacock is your only legal streaming option for 175 live matches per season in the U.S.-including all the big clashes like Manchester United vs. Liverpool. You won’t find those on Paramount+. And if you’re into Olympic sports, Peacock is the only place to stream every event from the Summer and Winter Games live, without ads.
Peacock also carries exclusive NFL content: Sunday Night Football, Thursday Night Football (when NBC airs it), and the NFL’s Game of the Week replays. Plus, you get full access to NBC’s Football Night in America pre-game show and Football Night in America post-game analysis. For fans of motorsports, Peacock streams every NASCAR Cup Series race, IndyCar, and Formula 1 sessions-including qualifying and practice runs.
Live News: Where Each Service Shines
When it comes to breaking news, Paramount+ offers 24/7 live streams of CBS News, including CBS News 24/7, which covers major events with live anchors, field reports, and overnight coverage. You also get local CBS affiliate news feeds in over 200 markets, so if you’re in Chicago, Atlanta, or Los Angeles, you can tune into your local station directly through the app.
Peacock’s news offering is just as strong, but different. It features NBC News Now, a continuous live news channel with real-time updates, morning shows like Today, and evening news from NBC Nightly News. What sets it apart is its deep integration with MSNBC’s live coverage during major political events, natural disasters, or breaking international stories. If you want to watch live coverage of a presidential address or a major court ruling, Peacock often gets it first.
Price and Plans: What You’re Really Paying For
Paramount+ has two main plans: the Essential plan at $5.99/month with ads, and the Premium plan at $11.99/month with no ads and 4K streaming. Both include live sports and news. The Premium plan also gives you access to Showtime content, which adds more movies and original series.
Peacock’s free tier is surprisingly robust-it includes live news, some NFL games, and select Premier League matches. But if you want full access, you’ll need Peacock Premium at $5.99/month with ads or $11.99/month without. The ad-free plan unlocks all live sports and news, plus full seasons of NBC shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Office.
Here’s the catch: Peacock’s free tier lets you watch live news and select sports, but not every game. Paramount+ doesn’t have a free tier at all. So if you’re only interested in news and occasional sports, Peacock might save you money.
App Experience and Device Support
Both apps work well on Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, and smart TVs. But Paramount+ has a cleaner interface for live sports. The live schedule is easy to navigate, and you can jump directly into a game with one tap. It also supports dual audio for international matches and has a dedicated sports dashboard.
Peacock’s interface is more cluttered, especially with its heavy push for TV shows and movies. But it’s better at integrating news into the main feed. You’ll see live news banners popping up during sports broadcasts, which is handy during breaking events. Both apps support offline downloads, but only Paramount+ lets you download live sports for later viewing.
Who Should Choose Paramount+?
Choose Paramount+ if you care about:
- Watching every NFL game on CBS
- Following UEFA Champions League, Serie A, or FA Cup
- Getting live college football from the Big Ten
- Accessing local CBS news stations
- Wanting 4K streaming without ads
If you’re a hardcore sports fan who doesn’t mind paying a bit more for reliability and breadth, Paramount+ is the clear winner.
Who Should Choose Peacock?
Choose Peacock if you care about:
- Watching Premier League matches
- Streaming every Olympic event live
- Following NBC’s NFL coverage and Sunday Night Football
- Getting free access to live news and select sports
- Wanting access to MSNBC’s live political coverage
Peacock is the smarter pick if you’re on a budget, love soccer, or want to watch the Olympics without a cable subscription. It’s also better if you want to dip into live news without paying upfront.
Final Verdict: It Depends on Your Priorities
There’s no single "best" service. Paramount+ is the powerhouse for American sports and local news. Peacock is the go-to for international soccer, the Olympics, and free live news. If you’re a fan of both, you might need both services-but that’s not ideal.
Here’s the simplest way to decide: Ask yourself, "What’s the one thing I’d miss most?" If it’s Sunday NFL games on CBS, go with Paramount+. If it’s watching Liverpool play Arsenal on a Tuesday night, Peacock is your answer. For news, both are solid-but Peacock gives you more live political coverage, while Paramount+ gives you more local reporting.
Neither service is perfect. But if you’re choosing just one, pick the one that covers the games and headlines you actually watch-not the ones you think you should.
Can I watch NFL games on both Paramount+ and Peacock?
Yes, but not the same games. Paramount+ carries CBS’s Sunday afternoon games and Thursday Night Football when CBS broadcasts it. Peacock carries NBC’s Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football when NBC airs it. You need both services to see every NFL game on TV.
Is Peacock’s free tier worth it for live sports and news?
Yes, if you’re casual. Peacock’s free tier includes live NBC News Now, select Premier League matches, and a few NFL games. But you’ll miss most of the big games and all of the deep analysis. For serious fans, the paid tier is worth it.
Does Paramount+ have Premier League matches?
No. Paramount+ does not carry Premier League matches. That’s exclusive to Peacock in the U.S. If you want live Premier League, Peacock is your only streaming option.
Can I watch the Olympics on Paramount+?
No. The Olympics are exclusively streamed on Peacock in the U.S., including every event, medal ceremony, and qualifying round. Paramount+ doesn’t have any Olympic rights.
Which service has better local news coverage?
Paramount+ has broader local news coverage through its 200+ CBS affiliate stations. Peacock offers national news via NBC News Now but doesn’t provide local station feeds. If you want to watch your city’s evening news, Paramount+ is the better choice.