It’s almost a running joke at this point. You open Paramount+ to watch the biggest show on the planet, and... nothing. You search for where to watch Yellowstone, expecting the flagship show of the "Paramount" brand to actually be on their own app. It’s not. Instead, you find a graveyard of prequels and spin-offs, but the main story of John Dutton is nowhere to be found.
The reality is that streaming rights are a messy business. Back in 2020, before Paramount+ was even a twinkle in a corporate executive's eye, NBCUniversal scooped up the exclusive streaming rights for their own service, Peacock. It seemed like a safe bet at the time. Nobody knew a neo-Western would become a cultural juggernaut that essentially resurrected the cowboy hat industry.
If you’re trying to catch up on the family drama that has gripped millions, you’ve got a few specific paths to take. But don't expect it to be as simple as hitting "play" on the first app you see.
Peacock is the Only True Home for Streaming
Honestly, if you want to binge every single episode from Season 1 through the series finale in Season 5, Peacock is the answer. It’s the exclusive "SVOD" (Subscription Video On Demand) home for the series in the United States.
Why can't I find it on Paramount+?
This is the number one source of confusion. People pay for Paramount+ thinking they’re getting the "Yellowstone Universe." You get 1883. You get 1923. You get Landman and Tulsa King. But because of that 2020 licensing deal, the main show is locked away in the Peacock vault.
- Peacock Premium: The most affordable way to watch. It usually costs around $7.99 a month, though they often run deals for $1.99 or $2.99.
- Peacock Premium Plus: This gets rid of the ads. If you can’t stand hearing about car insurance while Rip Wheeler is handling business at the train station, this is the one you want.
Recent reports suggest this deal doesn't expire until 2028. That means for the next couple of years, your Paramount+ subscription is basically useless for the flagship show. Kind of annoying, right?
The "Paramount Network" Loophole
Here is where it gets even more confusing for people. Yellowstone actually airs on the Paramount Network. That is a cable channel, not a streaming app. It’s the old-school way of watching TV.
If you have a cable login (or a friend’s), you can go to the Paramount Network website or use their app to watch episodes. However, they usually only keep the most recent episodes available. If you’re looking to start from the beginning, the website will eventually tell you to head over to Peacock.
Live TV Services
If you’ve cut the cord but still want that "live TV" feel, you can find the Paramount Network on several streaming bundles. These are basically cable-lite services:
- Philo: Easily the cheapest option. It’s around $28 a month and includes the Paramount Network.
- Sling TV: You usually need the "Comedy Extra" or "Entertainment" add-on depending on your base package.
- YouTube TV / Hulu + Live TV / Fubo: These are full-blown cable replacements. Expensive, but they have the channel.
What About Season 5 Part 2?
The final chapters of the Dutton saga have been a long time coming. If you were looking for where to watch Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2, the rollout followed the same pattern. It aired on the Paramount Network first. Once the season officially concluded on December 15, 2024, the clock started ticking for it to move to Peacock.
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As of March 16, 2025, the final episodes of Season 5 Part 2 became available to stream exclusively on Peacock. This means the entire series—every single "God bless you" and every single threat from Beth Dutton—is now in one place.
Digital Purchase: The "I Don't Want a Subscription" Method
Maybe you’re tired of the monthly bill. I get it. The simplest way to watch without worrying about which app has the rights this week is to just buy the seasons.
You can buy Yellowstone on:
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- Amazon Prime Video: You can buy individual episodes for about $2.99 or full seasons for around $19.99 to $39.99.
- Apple TV (iTunes): Often has "The Complete Series" bundles which are much cheaper than buying one by one.
- Vudu / Fandango at Home: They frequently run sales on 4K UHD versions.
Buying the show digitally means you "own" it (well, as much as you can own a digital file). You won't need a Peacock subscription, and you won't need to worry about licensing deals changing in 2028.
The Global Situation is Different
If you happen to be reading this from the UK, Canada, or Australia, you’re actually in luck. You don't have to deal with the Peacock vs. Paramount mess.
In many international markets, Yellowstone is available on Paramount+ or even Netflix. For example, Netflix secured rights for the show in over 50 countries starting in early 2024. But because of the existing US deal, Netflix US is a dead zone for the Duttons. If you try to use a VPN to watch on Netflix UK, just remember that streaming services are getting much better at blocking those tools.
Key Insights for Your Binge-Watch
The Dutton family story is finally complete, but the franchise isn't. While you're figuring out where to watch Yellowstone, keep in mind that the prequels (1883 and 1923) are essential for understanding the land's history. Those are on Paramount+.
To get the full experience without spending a fortune, your best bet is to sign up for one month of Peacock Premium, binge the 53 episodes of the main series, and then cancel. If you want the spin-offs, you'll have to jump over to Paramount+ for a second subscription. It’s a hassle, but until 2028, it’s the only way the ranch stays open for business.
Your Next Steps:
- Check your current cable or live TV package: You might already have access to the Paramount Network app without realizing it.
- Look for Peacock deals: If you're a student or have a certain credit card (like Amex), you might get Peacock for free or at a massive discount.
- Download for offline viewing: If you're going the Peacock Premium Plus route, download the episodes to your tablet before a flight—cell service in the "real" Yellowstone (Montana) is notoriously spotty.
Don't let the corporate licensing wars stop you from seeing how it all ends. Just pick a lane—Peacock for the binge, or Amazon for the ownership—and get to the ranch.