‘Ghosts,’ ‘Fire Country’ and More to Stream For Free as Latest Blockbuster Deal Shakes Up CBS

Some of your favorite TV shows will soon begin streaming for free as part of a new blockbuster deal that’s shaking up CBS programming. News broke this morning that CBS-backed shows such as Matlock, Watson, NCIS: Origins, Elbesth, Fire Country, and Ghosts will begin streaming for free on Pluto TV starting next month. There is, however, a catch. With new seasons for each show on the way, fans won’t be able to watch the latest episodes on Pluto TV, only past seasons. For example, the first season of Matlock, Watson, and NCIS: Origins will be available to watch, along with the second season of Elsbeth, the third season of Fire Country, and the fourth season of Ghosts.

This deal is reportedly geared much more towards pulling in newer fans than pleasing established viewers. The goal here is to get those who aren’t familiar with CBS shows to check out older seasons ahead of the newer seasons’ arrival on the network later this year. The fall TV slate is gearing up to begin soon, and now that CBS has made some of its biggest hits available to watch for free (with ads) for new viewers, numbers could soar higher this fall than ever before.

President and chief marketing officer for CBS, Mike Benson, shared a statement on the news, saying that this new deal gives “fans a front-row seat to binge — or sample from — a full past season of six standout CBS Original series, on Pluto TV, just before their big returns during CBS Premiere Week.” He continued, “It’s a win all around — CBS builds excitement, Pluto TV keeps fans engaged, and viewers get to relive cliffhangers or discover new favorites.” Sounds like this new deal between CBS and Pluto TV will be a step forward for everyone.

Fire Country Season 4 will premiere later this year on October 17, along with the first season of its spin-off, Sheriff Country, which will be led by Morena Baccarin. Those who are interested in binge-watching all seasons of Fire Country can watch the first two seasons on Netflix over the next week before the third season arrives on Pluto TV, thanks to this latest deal. Fans are waiting on pins and needles to see where the show picks back up in Season 4 after ditching two fan-favorite series regulars at the end of Season 3.