The latest entry in the iconic Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: Discovery, has launched. In the US, it's exclusively streaming on CBS All Access—a service that also delivers live TV, movies, and a range of shows.
But is CBS All Access worth subscribing to just for Discovery? Does it offer solid value overall, or is it better skipped?
You can test CBS All Access risk-free with a 7-day trial. If it's not for you, cancel anytime for a full refund.
Paid plans include:
Note: CBS All Access is available only in the US and Canada. Viewers elsewhere need a reliable paid VPN. The Best VPN Services We've tested top VPN providers for premium, free, and torrent-friendly options.
Stream on up to two devices at once with any plan. Note: Some live TV (like NFL games) isn't available on mobile.
CBS All Access works across desktops, mobiles, Roku, Amazon Fire TV/Stick, Google Chromecast, PS4, and Xbox One.
Star Trek: Discovery is the marquee exclusive drawing fans. But there's more value here.
Unlike Netflix, CBS All Access streams live events like the Emmys, Thursday Night NFL games, Grammys, Tony Awards, and CBS News.
Important: Live streaming availability varies by location—check CBS's supported cities list.
Other exclusives include Big Brother and The Good Fight, a Good Wife spin-off. While not matching Netflix's breadth, it's competitive with Amazon Prime's strong lineup.
Beyond exclusives, browse the full catalog for classics and hits like:
These aren't exclusive—most legacy Star Trek series are also on Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu.
The first two episodes aired on broadcast TV, but subsequent US episodes are CBS All Access only. For die-hard Trekkies:
Outside the US and Canada, Star Trek: Discovery streams on Netflix simultaneously. North Americans miss out.
International users: Netflix or a VPN? Which VPNs Still Work with Netflix? Netflix fights VPNs, but top ones succeed.
Caution: VPNs breach Netflix TOS, risking bans. Premium VPNs cost ~$10/month—same as CBS ad-free.
For US viewers, Discovery doesn't sway Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon choices. Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon Prime: Which to Choose?
Hulu skips CBS content—no new episodes like Discovery (old shows only, delayed). Amazon has select classics but limited current CBS fare.
For US/Canadian Trekkies craving every Discovery episode fresh, yes. Otherwise, hold off until more must-watch exclusives drop.
On the fence about Star Trek: Discovery? Share your take: Is CBS All Access a smart sub, or too pricey for the lineup?
