10 Reasons Why Paramount+ Stands Out as a Streaming TV Haven

While Star Trek is widely available across platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video—featuring the original series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager—Paramount+ remains the ultimate destination for franchise fans. Yes, you’ll find those four shows here (along with Enterprise, if that’s your thing), as well as the classic animated series. But this is the only platform where you can stream every season of newer spinoffs like Discovery, Picard, and Lower Decks. Additionally, at launch, you can watch four of the 13 Star Trek films (including the iconic time-travel adventures). Given that all Trek movies are Paramount productions, it’s likely the rest will join the service once their current streaming agreements elsewhere expire. Stream boldly and prosper.

Thanks to the popularity of WandaVision or the need for comforting background noise during endless remote workdays, classic sitcoms have never been more relevant—and Paramount+ offers a treasure trove of them. From iconic shows like I Love Lucy to Nick at Night favorites such as The Brady Bunch and Happy Days, to ‘80s blockbusters (Taxi, Cheers, Family Ties) and ‘90s gems (Sister, Sister, Frasier, and even Wings), you can immerse yourself in a nostalgic laugh track bubble and stay there indefinitely.

Why risk disappointment with new dramas when you can indulge in the comforting familiarity of old favorites? In 2021, who needs the added stress of unpredictable TV? Whether you’re revisiting The Love Boat, Beauty and the Beast, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, or timeless classics like Macgyver and Hawaii Five-O, or diving into countless crime procedurals from Las Vegas to Miami, you can enjoy the certainty of knowing exactly what’s coming next.

While Comedy Central may no longer be in its golden era, its influence on TV comedy remains significant. As someone who hasn’t subscribed to cable in ... well, decades, I’ve missed out on keeping up with shows I once loved, occasionally caught, or heard were fantastic. Given how much I could use a good laugh these days, it’s refreshing to have a single platform where I can revisit classics like Reno: 911, Strangers With Candy, and Broad City, explore whether Detroiters lives up to its reputation, and finally determine if Chappelle’s Show still resonates.

I didn’t grow up watching SpongeBob, but I discovered its unique blend of wholesome absurdity long before it became a cornerstone of internet meme culture. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer (perhaps in a cannabis-friendly state), Paramount+ offers a deep dive with 11 seasons of episodes, a new movie, and the CGI prequel Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years.

Beyond SpongeBob, Paramount+’s Nickelodeon section is a hit in my household. Not only do my kids adore newer shows like Strawberry Shortcake and The Loud House, but it’s also where I indulge in nostalgic favorites such as Clarissa Explains It All, Doug, Rocko’s Modern Life, Ren & Stimpy, and, bless its heart, Double Dare. These shows might not stand the test of time, but honestly, I don’t care.

Like much of America, I was completely engrossed in Survivor—the groundbreaking reality TV phenomenon—from around 2000 to 2003. After that, I largely forgot about it, but the show has clearly thrived without me: Paramount+ now streams all 40 seasons, and binge-watching them could offer a fascinating look at how the genre has evolved. (Have contestants finally mastered fire-making before arriving on the island?)

I’ll always have a soft spot for Bob Barker (remember to spay and neuter your pets!), but The Price Is Right remains a stellar game show, even with Drew Carey at the helm. Since I can’t reliably catch over-the-air broadcasts and my schedule rarely aligns with its airtime, I’m thrilled that Paramount+ offers 68 episodes from the current season (and counting!) for whenever I need a distraction pondering whether a jar of spaghetti sauce costs more than a box of granola bars.

As a kid, I could never predict when Beavis & Butthead would air, and I wasn’t exactly supposed to be watching it. To this day, lines from The State still echo in my mind. I even splurged on a pricey DVD set of Æon Flux. Now, all these MTV classics are on Paramount+, alongside gems like Daria, RuPaul’s Drag Race, several seasons of The Real World, and a slew of reality shows (The Hills, Jersey Shore) I harshly judge—likely because I’ve avoided watching them and risking addiction.

I understand that David Lynch’s work, especially Twin Peaks, isn’t for everyone. The show is now 30 years old, and television has evolved significantly. But I don’t care—I still cherish every bizarre moment as Special Agent Dale Cooper steps into the peculiar world of that isolated Washington logging town. Plus, without watching the original, you’ll struggle even more to make sense of the mind-bending 2017 revival, Twin Peaks: The Return (though you’ll need another platform for that). Grab some cherry pie and a damn fine cup of coffee, and dive in.