So, you’re looking for the Duttons on your local broadcast channel. It’s a bit of a mess, honestly. One week you see Kevin Costner’s face during a commercial break on CBS, and the next, it’s nothing but NCIS reruns and local news. If you’re asking can you watch Yellowstone on CBS, the answer is a frustrating "sometimes."
Right now, in early 2026, the situation has shifted again.
The original series—the one that started the whole obsession—isn't currently airing its old seasons on CBS. That was a specific "event" back during the strikes and the late 2024 hype. CBS used the flagship show to plug holes in its schedule, and it worked like a charm. Millions of people who don't have cable or Peacock finally got to see what the fuss was about. But that window has mostly closed for the main show.
The Current CBS Situation
Here is the deal. While you can't just flip on CBS tonight and see Season 1, Episode 1, the network is about to become the permanent home for a massive piece of the Yellowstone universe.
On March 1, 2026, a new sequel series called Marshals premieres on CBS.
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You might have heard it called Y: Marshals a few months ago. CBS quietly dropped the "Y" from the title in January, though the logo still looks exactly like the brand on the side of a Montana cow. It stars Luke Grimes, reprising his role as Kayce Dutton. He’s left the ranch behind to join the U.S. Marshals. It’s the first time a show in this franchise has been built specifically for a broadcast network rather than cable or streaming.
Why did the schedule change?
Everything in the world of Taylor Sheridan is tied up in messy licensing deals.
- Peacock owns the streaming rights to the original show.
- Paramount Network (the cable channel) owns the first-run broadcast rights.
- CBS gets the "scraps" or special secondary windows.
When the final episodes of Season 5 Part 2 aired in late 2024, CBS did a special broadcast of the premiere. It was a one-time thing to drive interest. Since then, the network has focused on its own originals like Tracker and Watson. They aren't currently running a marathon of the old Dutton Ranch drama.
Where to find the Duttons today
If you missed the boat on the CBS broadcasts, you’ve basically got two choices. You can pay for Peacock, which has every single episode of the original five seasons. Or, you can wait for March.
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Honestly, the move to CBS for the Marshals spinoff is a big test. It’s going to be a "procedural" version of the show. Think less "murdering people at the train station" and more "catching bad guys in the wilderness." Since it's on CBS, it has to follow FCC rules. That means less swearing and a bit more structure than the gritty cable version.
Can you watch Yellowstone on CBS for free?
Technically, yes, if you have an antenna. When they do air episodes, they are free over-the-air. But as of today, January 16, 2026, there are no "legacy" episodes on the schedule.
If you're desperate for a fix before the Kayce Dutton spinoff starts in March, you’re going to have to look at the streaming apps. Peacock is the king here. Even though Paramount+ has the prequels like 1883 and 1923, they don't have the main show. It’s a total headache.
What’s coming next to your TV
The landscape is changing fast. Taylor Sheridan recently signed a new deal with NBCUniversal, which complicates the CBS relationship even further. Rumor has it that once Marshals launches, CBS might try to bring back Season 5 reruns to lead into it, but nothing is on the official calendar yet.
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For now, keep your Sunday nights open starting March 1st at 8:00 PM. That’s when the "CBS version" of the franchise officially becomes a real thing.
Summary of where to watch right now:
- Original Series (Seasons 1-5): Exclusively on Peacock.
- The Prequels (1883/1923): Exclusively on Paramount+.
- New Spinoff (Marshals): Starting March 1, 2026, on CBS.
Stop checking the CBS app for the old seasons for now. They aren't there. If you want to see John Dutton defending his land, you're going to need a Peacock subscription or a very generous friend with a login.
Check your local listings for "Marshals" starting in late February. If you want the full backstory before that show starts, dedicate a weekend to a Peacock binge of the final season. It’ll make the transition to Kayce's new life as a lawman make a lot more sense.