Sheldon Cooper has chiseled his face into the sitcom Mount Rushmore, so it was only a matter of time before The Big Bang Theory got its own spinoff. Young Sheldon is this TV hero’s origin story and his rise to Big Bang fame.
The series takes place in the ’80s and ’90s during Sheldon Cooper’s formative years, including attending high school at the age of 9. When he’s not burying his nose in a book, he’s bumping heads with his evangelical Christian mother or getting bullied by his older, dumber brother. Along the way, Sheldon occasionally learns a few lessons about social cues and the real world from his dimmer family, along with a few formative moments that turn him into the genius he would one day become.
Here’s everything you need to know to stream Young Sheldon.
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What is Young Sheldon?
In November 2016, CBS began developing a The Big Bang Theory spinoff focusing on Sheldon Cooper. Jon Favreau directed and executive produced the pilot, which premiered in September in 2017. Since then, it’s gone on to a second and third season, though the third was truncated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The season has been renewed for season 4.
- Launched: September 2017
- Airtime: Season 4 premiers Thursday, November 5 at 8pm EST.
- Channel: CBS
- Genre: Sitcom
- Starring: Iain Armitage as Sheldon Cooper, Zoe Perry as Mary Cooper, Lance Barber as George Cooper Sr., Montana Jordan as George “Georgie” Cooper Jr., Raegan Revord as Melissa “Missy” Cooper, Jim Parsons as the voice of adult Sheldon Cooper, Annie Potts as Constance “Connie” Tucker, Sheldon, Matt Hobby as Pastor Jeffery
- Seasons: 3
- Status: Renewed for season 4.
Young Sheldon Reviews
What the critics are saying:
- “It’s that focus on family, with Sheldon as an oddity and an outsider but still loved, that makes Young Sheldon sweeter than The Big Bang Theory. … Although the humor–in the show’s pilot at least–is less reliant on what most people would call “jokes” and more reliant on “a tiny child in a bowtie saying the word ‘brassiere,’” as far as sitcoms go, it’s inoffensive and as comforting as Mrs. Cooper’s tater tots.” –Dana Schwartz, Entertainment Weekly
- “Young Sheldon has a certain Wonder Years glow to it. The challenge for the show going forward is to keep young Sheldon a believable, likable kid while also emphasizing the eccentric qualities that make him an effective comic creation. From this first episode, it really feels as though that’s not going to be a problem.” –Ken Tucker, Yahoo
How to stream Young Sheldon
CBS is available on a handful of streaming services. When trying to decide which one is best for you, you’ll want to weigh the cost, the other channels you’ll receive, and the compatible devices for streaming.
Young Sheldon on Hulu with Live TV
Hulu Live TV is a great way to stream live TV, as it comes with access to Hulu’s massive library of on-demand content. You’ll be able to choose from movies, shows, and Hulu’s original programming, and keep up with what’s new each month. Hulu plans even include a bundle option where you can access Disney+ and ESPN+ along with Hulu.
Hulu Live TV sets you up with local channels and has a broad spectrum of entertainment and sports channels to review, including the full suite of ESPN channels, Cartoon Network, FX, HGTV, and even deep cuts like National Geographic and Syfy, and of course, CBS, where you can stream Young Sheldon.
| Hulu Live TV | $69.99 |
| Hulu Live TV (no ads on Hulu content) | $75.99 |
Young Sheldon on FuboTV
FuboTV started as a streaming service geared toward sports fans, but it’s evolved into a broadly-appealing option with entertainment and news options alongside its robust sports choices. Depending on the package, you can access as many as 180+ FuboTV channels. If you’re looking to be entertained, Bravo, IFC, MTV, and VH1 are options even at Fubo’s most basic tier. The Fubo channel list still includes plenty of sports, including the Fubo Sports Network, which has original programming mixing sports and humor. The FuboTV cost starts at $54.99 a month, and with Disney Media favorites like ABC, ESPN, and the Disney Channel now on board, some who were on the fence about Fubo are giving it another look.
To watch Young Sheldon, you’ll want to dock in at the FuboTV Standard level.
Young Sheldon on Sling TV
For a more à la carte service, look to Sling TV. It offers two cable packages, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, both of which cost $30 per month. If you grab them both (Sling Orange + Blue) you can save $10 per month. Sling Blue offers more bang for your buck with over 40 channels, including sports necessities like FS1, NBCSN, and NFL Network. You’ll also gain access to the usual cable mainstays like Food Network, Discovery, Cartoon Network, SYFY, and FXX. Here’s the complete guide to Sling TV channels.
| Orange | $35 |
| Blue | $35 |
| Orange + Blue | $50 |
How to use AirTV with Sling
CBS is not available on any Sling TV package. However, there is an easy workaround. By purchasing a basic AirTV for $79.99 or the AirTV Player for $119.99, you can gain access to local channels in your Sling TV package. As the Daily Dot wrote in its AirTV review, “It’s practically magic.”
The basic AirTV is a dual-tuner streaming device, while the AirTV Player is basically an upgraded Chromecast that has Netflix preinstalled. You’ll still need to own an HD antenna because even though AirTV gets you access to your local channels, it doesn’t actually physically show them to you.
But AirTV—which has no monthly fee—serves to strengthen one of Sling’s biggest weaknesses compared to other live streaming services. It’s the only way to watch Young Sheldon using Sling TV.
Young Sheldon on AT&T TV Now
If you’re already looking to AT&T for your wireless needs, you might consider AT&T TV Now to cover streaming for you. AT&T TV Now channels start with Plus and Max, which even include HBO. Then, AT&T plans expand from there, approaching cable selection and pricing with AT&T TV Now’s biggest packages. AT&T streaming also comes with Cloud DVR, letting you record up to 20 hours of TV per month. If you’re looking for CBS, get in at the AT&T TV Now Plus tier to stream it.
Young Sheldon on Paramount+
| With Ads | $4.99 |
| Ad Free | $9.99 |
Broadcast Channel Guides
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