A Sports Event Is the Most-Watched Show on Paramount+ This Week

The landscape of streaming television continues to shift as platforms compete for viewer attention with a mixture of live sports, acclaimed dramas, and classic syndicated sitcoms. Paramount+ features a diverse lineup of content that regularly draws substantial viewership numbers. This week’s metrics reveal a compelling mix of long-running procedurals, animated satires, and highly anticipated spin-offs driving the platform’s audience engagement. The following is a look at the most-watched shows on the service right now.

‘Landman’ (2024–)

‘Landman’ is an American drama television series co-created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace. The show is based on the podcast ‘Boomtown’ and is set in the boomtowns of West Texas. It stars Billy Bob Thornton as a crisis manager for an oil company, navigating the intense and dangerous world of oil rigs. The narrative explores the complex dynamics of billionaires and roughnecks shaping the modern oil industry. The first season premiered on Paramount+ in November 2024.

‘Cross’ (2024–)

‘Cross’ is an American police procedural thriller television series created by Ben Watkins. The series is based on James Patterson’s best-selling ‘Alex Cross’ novel series. Aldis Hodge stars as Alex Cross, a forensic psychologist and detective working in Washington, D.C., to track down serial killers. The show explores his psychological approach to solving crimes while dealing with personal grief and family dynamics. The first season debuted in November 2024.

‘Lioness’ (2023–)

‘Lioness’, also known as ‘Special Ops: Lioness’, is an American spy thriller series created by Taylor Sheridan. The plot follows Joe, a CIA operative who attempts to balance her personal and professional life as she spearheads the agency’s war on terror. She enlists a passionate Marine Raider named Cruz to operate undercover alongside her to bring down a terrorist organization from within. The series features an ensemble cast including Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Michael Kelly, and Nicole Kidman. The second season premiered in October 2024 on Paramount+.

‘The Chi’ (2018–)

‘The Chi’ is an American drama series created by Lena Waithe that explores life in a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. The narrative interweaves the lives of several residents who are linked by a fateful turn of events and shared community struggles. The show focuses on the challenges of youth, relationships, and survival in a complex urban environment. It features a cast that includes Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, and Yolonda Ross. The series has run for multiple seasons on Showtime and is available on Paramount+ with Showtime.

‘NCIS’ (2003–)

‘NCIS’ is a long-running American military police procedural television series focusing on the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The show centers on a team of special agents who investigate crimes involving the United States Navy and Marine Corps. It originally spun off from the series ‘JAG’ and went on to become one of the most-watched scripted series on television. The franchise has generated multiple spin-offs set in various locations, including Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Sydney. The flagship series continues to produce new seasons, maintaining a loyal global viewership.

‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ (1996–2005)

‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ is an American sitcom that aired on CBS for nine seasons. The series follows Ray Barone, a successful sportswriter living in Long Island with his wife, Debra, and their three children. His life is constantly disrupted by his overbearing parents and his jealous brother, Robert, who live just across the street. The show received critical acclaim and won 15 Primetime Emmy Awards during its run. It remains highly popular in syndication and is available to stream on Paramount+.

‘South Park’ (1997–)

‘South Park’ is an American animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for Comedy Central. The series revolves around four boys—Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick—and their bizarre adventures in a dysfunctional Colorado town. The show is renowned for its dark, surreal humor, satirical take on current events, and social commentary. It has become one of Comedy Central’s longest-running and highest-rated franchises. The series continues to release new seasons and exclusive special events on streaming platforms.

‘Dutton Ranch’ (2026–)

‘Dutton Ranch’ is an upcoming American drama series created by Taylor Sheridan as a spin-off of the hit series ‘Yellowstone’. The plot follows characters Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton as they gamble everything on a new life in South Texas. However, the promise of building a future far from the ghosts of Yellowstone quickly collides with brutal new realities and a rival ranch that will stop at nothing to protect its empire. The series features a star-studded cast including Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Natalie Alyn Lind, Ed Harris, and Annette Bening. This highly anticipated expansion of the franchise is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+.

‘Criminal Minds’ (2005–)

‘Criminal Minds’ is an American police procedural crime drama television series that follows a team of criminal profilers who work for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. The agents use behavioral analysis and profiling to investigate crimes and find perpetrators. The original run of the series concluded in 2020 after fifteen successful seasons on CBS. In 2022, the series was revived under the title ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ on Paramount+, continuing the team’s investigations. The show remains a cornerstone of crime procedural television, attracting a dedicated streaming audience.

‘UFC Fight Night 281: du Plessis vs. Usman’ (2026)

‘UFC Fight Night’ is a series of live mixed martial arts television events produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. These events showcase a mix of rising contenders and established fighters competing across multiple weight classes. Originally broadcast on various networks, the events are now prominently featured on major streaming and television networks globally. The broadcasts provide comprehensive pre-fight analysis, live match coverage, and post-fight interviews. It serves as a vital component of the promotion’s weekly sports entertainment output.

Which of these popular shows are you currently watching on the service, and which upcoming releases are you most excited to see? Share your thoughts in the comments.