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Racers, start your engines — RuPaul is back for a 17th season. We've combed through all of the viewing options to highlight everything you need to know about where to watch RuPaul's Drag Race, including live streaming and on-demand options.
This season will bring together 14 new contestants who will compete for $200,000 and the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar" across 90-minute episodes. The new season offers a splashy twist, the Badonka Dunk Tank, which will allow contestants a last chance at staying in the competition — at the expense of possibly dunking Michelle Visage in water. The guest judge lineup this season is absolutely stacked. Katy Perry, Quinta Brunson, Paul W. Downs, Hunter Schafer, Law Roach, Sam Smith, and Tracee Ellis Ross are among the many celebs slated to make an appearance.
The streaming options get a bit complicated, but we'll break down what you need to know below. Keep reading to learn how to tune into the show, whether you want to watch new episodes or catch up on past seasons.
- See also: Where to watch RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars | Where to watch The Traitors | Where to watch Survivor
What channel is RuPaul's Drag Race on?
RuPaul's Drag Race airs on MTV in the US. New episodes drop on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET, starting on January 3, 2025.
Where to watch RuPaul's Drag Race in the US
Cord-cutters without access to MTV can still tune into RuPaul's Drag Race live with the help of a live TV streaming service. Philo, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo are some of the best month-to-month live TV streaming services out there.
You can stream past seasons of Drag Race on-demand on Paramount Plus, which we'll dig into later, but new episodes usually aren't available on the app until after the latest season has finished airing, so we recommend subscribing to one of the above live TV packages if you'd like to watch the new season now. These services also have solid DVR capabilities and a robust on-demand selection, so they'll be able to help you out if you can't watch a new episode right when it airs but don't want to wait a few months to stream it.
Philo is the cheapest of the bunch and one of the best budget live TV streaming services out there. The app comes with 70+ live channels, including MTV, Paramount Network, and AMC, among others. Subscriptions cost $28/month and include a one-week free trial.
If you want your streaming service to cost less per month than a single trip for the family to Starbucks, Philo is made with you in mind. It features over 70 channels for just $28 a month, but it is missing popular sports and local networks.
Sling TV is the next cheapest option. Subscriptions start at $46/month for either of the service's base plans, but you'll also need to get the Entertainment Extra add-on for an additional $6/month to access MTV. This extra also grants viewers access to TV Land, Paramount Network, Logo, and more. In total, this will run you $52/month, but Sling is currently offering $23 off your first month of service, making it less than $30 today.
For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you're looking for. It's more customizable than other plans, with three options you can choose from, so you pay for only what you need. New members often get a chunky discount on their first month.
DirecTV Stream and Fubo are two of the more comprehensive live TV streaming services out there. They're great options for those who are seeking a cable alternative with tons of live channels in addition to MTV. DirecTV Stream subscriptions start at $87/month and include a five-day free trial, while Fubo subscriptions start at $80/month and include a seven-day free trial.
Previously known as AT&T TV, DirecTV Stream offers streaming access to a large selection of live channels, including most key networks typically found in traditional cable packages.
Fubo's most essential tier features most of the same offerings as its Pro plan (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPN, etc.), but it lacks regional sports networks that show NBA, NHL, and MLB games. This will remove any applicable extra RSN fees from your monthly bill.
If you're looking to watch past episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race or don't mind waiting a while to see the new season, Paramount Plus is the way to go. The streaming service has all 16 past seasons and should eventually get Season 17 as well. In the past, the latest season has become available sometime after it finishes airing in full in the US. Subscriptions start at $8/month for the Essential tier, which offers ad-supported on-demand streaming. You can upgrade to Paramount Plus with Showtime for $13/month for an ad-free on-demand experience, in addition to CBS live streaming and access to Showtime content. All subscriptions, including annual plans, come with a one-week free trial.
Paramount Plus is perfect for viewers who want to stream CBS TV shows, local NFL games, and tons of content from Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and MTV. And if you get the premium tier you can also unlock ad-free streaming and access to Showtime.
How to watch RuPaul's Drag Race from anywhere
If you're traveling abroad and don't want to miss out on a new episode, you can still keep up with most of your usual watch options (like Philo, Sling, and Fubo) with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy cybersecurity tools that enable people to change the virtual location on their electronic devices so that they can still access their go-to websites and apps just like they would back home. Since the services we've recommended today require US payment methods, this option will work best for Americans who are just traveling away from home at the moment.
ExpressVPN is our top recommendation. The user-friendly app has impressive security perks, a massive selection of servers, and tons of other assets, which we break down in our ExpressVPN review. Subscriptions cost $12.95/month for the flexible plan, but you can find savings in a long-term contract. Plus, the app has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that make it exceptional. Better yet, you can save more than 60% right now and get up to four months free.
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 trailer
The official RuPaul's Drag Race YouTube channel dropped a Season 17 trailer in mid-December. The preview offers a sneak peek of some of the upcoming drama this season, as well as a first look at a few of the guest judges. Check out the full video below:
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