Honestly, finding where to watch Strange New Worlds should be as simple as hitting a "warp" button, but streaming rights are a mess. One day a show is everywhere; the next, it’s vanished behind a new paywall. If you’re trying to catch Captain Christopher Pike’s hair in all its high-definition glory, you’re likely staring at a handful of apps wondering which one actually has the license this month.
It’s Paramount+. That’s the short answer. But the long answer is way more annoying because it depends on whether you're sitting in a flat in London, a house in Ohio, or a cafe in Toronto.
The US Market: Paramount+ and the "Home" Advantage
If you are in the United States, your life is easy. Paramount+ is the exclusive home for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Every single episode of the first two seasons—and the upcoming third season slated for late 2025 or early 2026—lives there. You don't really have another choice for streaming.
But wait. There’s a tiny bit of nuance.
You can technically access Paramount+ through "channels" on other platforms. If you already pay for Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV+, you can add Paramount+ as an extra subscription. It costs the same. The benefit? You don't have to download yet another buggy app. The downside? Sometimes the "channel" versions of these apps get updates a few hours later than the standalone app. If you’re a die-hard Trekkie who needs to see the episode the second it drops at midnight, stick to the native Paramount+ app.
Don’t forget about the tiers. The "Essential" plan has ads. They are loud. They are frequent. The "With Showtime" plan is more expensive but kills the ads (mostly) and lets you download episodes for offline viewing. If you’re traveling, that’s a lifesaver.
What About Hulu or Netflix?
Nope. Forget it.
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Netflix used to be the "Star Trek" king, but those days are gone. Paramount (the parent company) decided to take its ball and go home. They want your monthly subscription fee directly. Occasionally, they might put the first episode of a season on YouTube for free to lure you in, but they won't give the whole series away to a competitor.
Finding Where to Watch Strange New Worlds Outside the US
This is where it gets weird. For a while, Star Trek was fractured internationally.
In Canada, for instance, the show traditionally aired on CTV Sci-Fi Channel and streamed on Crave. However, the tide is shifting. Paramount+ is aggressively expanding. In most major markets like the UK, Australia, Latin America, and parts of Europe, Paramount+ is now the primary destination.
But check this out: In some regions where Paramount+ hasn't launched yet, the show might show up on SkyShowtime. This is a joint venture. It covers places like the Netherlands, Poland, and the Nordic countries. It’s basically the same content, just under a different name.
The VPN Factor
You’ve probably heard YouTubers screaming about VPNs for years. Is it actually helpful here?
Kinda.
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If you have a US Paramount+ account but you're traveling in a country where the show isn't licensed, a VPN can help you "teleport" back home. But be warned: Paramount+ has some of the toughest VPN blockers in the industry. Many of the free ones won't work. You’ll just get a black screen or a "content not available in your region" error message. If you’re going this route, you need a high-end provider with dedicated streaming servers.
Physical Media: The "Old School" Way
I’m going to be real with you—streaming bitrates suck. Even on a 4K plan, the space battles in Strange New Worlds can look a bit "blocky" during fast movement because the video is compressed to save bandwidth.
If you want the absolute best version of this show, you buy the 4K UHD Blu-rays.
Yes, they still make those.
Season 1 and Season 2 are both available on physical discs. Why does this matter?
- No internet required. If your Wi-Fi dies, the Enterprise still flies.
- Audio quality. The Dolby Atmos tracks on the discs are significantly more powerful than the compressed audio on streaming apps.
- Ownership. When Paramount decides to pull a "tax write-off" and delete a show from their library (it's happening more often these days), you still own your copy.
Digital Purchases: Vudu, Apple, and Google
If you don't want a subscription but you don't want a physical disc cluttering your shelf, you can buy the seasons "a la carte."
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You can go to the Apple TV store, Vudu (now Fandango at Home), or the Google Play Store and buy a full season for about $25 to $30. Once you buy it, it stays in your library. This is actually a great middle-ground for people who only care about Star Trek and don't want to pay $12 a month for a bunch of Paramount reality shows they'll never watch.
Is There Any Way to Watch for Free?
Legally? Not really. Not the whole thing.
But there are some "hacks" to keep the cost at zero for a while.
- Free Trials: Paramount+ almost always has a 7-day free trial. If you are a fast watcher, you can binge both seasons in a week.
- Promo Codes: Check sites like RetailMeNot or even Reddit. Paramount is famous for offering "one month free" codes to get people back to the platform.
- T-Mobile/Credit Card Perks: In the US, some T-Mobile plans include a year of Paramount+ for free. Some American Express cards also offer "credits" that cover the monthly cost.
Why the Location of the Show Matters for Season 3
People are getting anxious. Season 3 has been delayed due to the strikes that happened in 2023, and production only wrapped recently. When it finally drops, the "where to watch" conversation will get loud again.
Paramount is currently going through a lot of corporate turmoil. There have been rumors of mergers with Skydance or even Warner Bros. Discovery. If a merger happens, the answer to where to watch Strange New Worlds might change overnight. It could end up on Max (formerly HBO Max).
For now, though, stay the course with Paramount+.
Summary of Actionable Steps
Stop searching and start watching by following this specific path:
- Check your current subs. If you have Amazon Prime or Apple TV, check the "Channels" section. It’s the easiest setup.
- Look for a promo code. Never pay full price for Paramount+ on your first month. Search "Paramount Plus promo code" on Google; there is almost always a "30 days free" code active.
- Verify your region. If you are outside the US or UK, check the SkyShowtime app or your local "Sci-Fi" cable channel's streaming equivalent (like Crave in Canada).
- Consider the 4K Blu-ray. If you have a high-end OLED TV and a soundbar, the streaming version doesn't do the show justice. Buy the disc for the Gorn episodes—the dark scenes look way better without streaming artifacts.
- Download for travel. If you're using the app, remember that only the "Premium/Showtime" tier allows downloads. Do this before you hit the airport.
The show is spectacular. It's the most "Star Trek" that Star Trek has been in twenty years. Don't let the technicalities of streaming rights keep you from seeing Pike, Spock, and Number One do their thing. Just pick a platform, grab a code, and engage.