With the ever-evolving landscape of television, a major shift has occurred in CBS’s lineup: two fan-favorite shows, SEAL Team and Evil, are officially moving from CBS to Paramount+. This change reflects CBS’s strategy to draw more viewers to its streaming platform, a trend we’re seeing across networks as traditional television adjusts to meet the demands of a growing streaming audience. Meanwhile, the future of Clarice on the platform remains uncertain, as negotiations continue. Here’s a look at what this move means for these shows, Paramount+, and viewers alike.
The Streaming Shift: Why SEAL Team and Evil are Moving to Paramount+
CBS and its parent company, ViacomCBS, have seen the need to expand Paramount+ with high-quality, exclusive content to compete with other streaming giants like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max. The decision to move SEAL Team and Evil to Paramount+ represents a larger strategy to drive subscriptions by leveraging established, successful shows with loyal followings. By providing more original and exclusive content, Paramount+ aims to increase its subscriber base and capture the attention of viewers who are shifting away from traditional broadcast television in favor of on-demand streaming.
SEAL Team and Evil are both excellent candidates for this strategy. SEAL Team, starring David Boreanaz, follows an elite Navy SEAL unit on high-stakes missions. With its action-packed scenes and dedicated fanbase, the show has thrived in CBS’s lineup, making it a strong draw for Paramount+. Similarly, Evil, a psychological thriller that delves into supernatural mysteries and moral dilemmas, has a loyal fanbase and critical acclaim, making it another compelling exclusive offering for the streaming platform.
SEAL Team: What Fans Can Expect on Paramount+
SEAL Team has long been a staple on CBS’s primetime lineup, building a dedicated following with its intense, realistic portrayals of military life. Moving to Paramount+ will open up new creative opportunities for the show. Streaming platforms often allow for greater flexibility in storytelling, with less restrictive guidelines on content and episode structure. For SEAL Team, this could mean exploring darker themes, featuring more intense action scenes, and possibly diving deeper into the personal lives of its characters without network constraints.
Moreover, the streaming format allows for a more immersive viewing experience. Fans will be able to binge-watch new episodes as they release on Paramount+, potentially in bulk rather than in weekly installments. This change may help deepen engagement among fans who prefer the immediacy of streaming and enjoy consuming shows at their own pace.
Evil: Paramount+ and the Potential for Creative Freedom
For Evil, the move to Paramount+ might be even more impactful. The show’s blend of horror, thriller, and supernatural themes has always pushed the boundaries of network television. Streaming on Paramount+ will give the creators greater creative freedom to explore darker, more experimental storylines that may have been limited by CBS’s primetime restrictions.
Evil creators Robert and Michelle King have hinted at expanding the show’s themes and pushing its narrative boundaries further. With fewer restrictions on violence, language, and mature content, Paramount+ could enable the writers and producers to take more risks, potentially enhancing the show’s dark and suspenseful atmosphere.
What About Clarice? Uncertainty Lingers as Negotiations Continue
As SEAL Team and Evil prepare to settle into their new streaming home, the fate of Clarice, a spin-off of The Silence of the Lambs, is still up in the air. Originally airing on CBS, Clarice was expected to join the other shows on Paramount+ as part of the network’s reorganization. However, reports suggest that contract negotiations between ViacomCBS and MGM Television, which co-produces Clarice, have stalled. The uncertainty surrounding Clarice has left fans and critics wondering whether the show will find a new home or face an early conclusion.
This delay has impacted Clarice‘s production schedule, making it uncertain when — or if — a second season will materialize. Should negotiations be successful, Paramount+ could offer the show a better platform for exploring its dark, psychological content. On the other hand, if an agreement isn’t reached, Clarice may struggle to find a place in the increasingly competitive streaming space.
The Big Picture: Paramount+’s Push for Streaming Dominance
ViacomCBS’s decision to bolster Paramount+ with fan-favorite CBS shows is part of a larger industry trend toward strengthening streaming offerings with exclusive, high-profile content. In today’s media landscape, networks are increasingly migrating their most popular series to their streaming platforms. Paramount+ is still competing with giants like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, so adding exclusive series like SEAL Team and Evil is a calculated move to attract more viewers who are willing to subscribe for content they can’t access anywhere else.
Paramount+ also offers access to ViacomCBS’s vast library of shows, including Star Trek, The Good Fight, and Yellowstone spin-offs. Adding SEAL Team and Evil to its roster enhances the appeal of the platform’s exclusive offerings and could make Paramount+ a must-have subscription for fans of high-stakes drama, action, and thriller genres.
What This Means for CBS’s Broadcast Lineup
The transition of SEAL Team and Evil to streaming doesn’t just impact Paramount+; it also opens up primetime slots on CBS’s broadcast schedule. This move could make room for new shows or give more attention to other series that may benefit from the increased viewership availability. While it may initially be disappointing for fans used to watching these shows on CBS, the shift to Paramount+ is likely a win-win in terms of creative freedom, audience reach, and content diversity.
Will Streaming-Only Networks Become the Norm?
With moves like this, CBS joins a growing list of networks that are increasingly shifting content to their streaming arms. As more audiences embrace on-demand viewing, the concept of “streaming only” may become the standard for network content, leaving broadcast television to carry live events, reality shows, and other programming that benefits from scheduled viewing.
For fans of SEAL Team, Evil, and possibly Clarice, Paramount+ will offer a more flexible and immersive way to engage with their favorite shows. While the transition from broadcast to streaming may require an adjustment period, it reflects the exciting future of television, where platforms like Paramount+ are making it possible for shows to expand creatively, reach a global audience, and deliver stories in new, dynamic ways.
Conclusion: A New Era for CBS’s Top Shows on Paramount+
The movement of SEAL Team and Evil to Paramount+ signifies more than just a change in networks; it marks a shift in how we consume television. Fans of these shows can look forward to exclusive streaming content, likely with enhanced storytelling freedom. Meanwhile, the uncertainty around Clarice keeps viewers on edge, as it’s unclear whether the show will follow suit or face an unfortunate early ending. As CBS and ViacomCBS continue their foray into streaming dominance, viewers can expect more network hits finding a home on Paramount+ in the years to come.
