How to watch Star Trek: Discovery season 4 online today — Paramount Plus, Pluto and Netflix info

Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham in an image from Star Trek: Discovery season 4
(Image credit: StarTrek.com)

You'll get a blast from the past when you watch Star Trek: Discovery season 4 online. The returning Paramount Plus series is starting off with a big familiar phrase: Kobayashi Maru. But we've gotten a report from a reader about another hiccup in actually finding the show, see below in the section about Australia.

Star Trek: Discovery season 4 release date and time details

Star Trek: Discovery season 4's premiere episode debuted on Nov. 18.
It's entitled "Kobayashi Maru," it went live at 3 a.m. ET / 12 a.m. PT.

The season 4 premiere is titled Kobayashi Maru, and as you probably remember that is the name of Starfleet Academy's typically un-beatable test. It's also the name of the periled civilian vessel in said test, which pushes cadets to try and save a ship that (unbeknownst to them) cannot be saved. Since Star Trek: Discovery takes place before Star Trek: The Original Series, one wonders if we'll learn more about the origins of the mission.

The official description suggests that they may actually be saving the original Kobayashi Maru: "After months spent reconnecting the Federation with distant worlds, Captain Michael Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery are sent to assist a damaged space station – a seemingly routine mission that reveals the existence of a terrifying new threat."

Star Trek: Discovery season 4 is also going to explore the Covid-19 pandemic, in its own way. Specifically, through the lens of a massive anomaly ripping apart the galaxy and destroying everything in sight. This will prove a big test of Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), who has only recently found stability in her role commanding the crew of the USS Discovery.

While Star Trek: Discovery was one of the best Netflix shows internationally, it's leaving this week, and won't be there for the new season. Annoyingly, it's kind-of a Paramount Plus exclusive — something that will push users to piracy in one form or another (I got a reader from South Africa in my Instagram DMs today, and I was sorry for his lack of decent options). Also on Paramount Plus, you'll be able to watch South Park: Post Covid, once it debuts in the U.S. on Thanksgiving day.

Why do I say "kind-of" a Paramount Plus exclusive? Den Of Geek reports that "Star Trek: Discovery Season 4 will begin streaming on Pluto TV in the UK." The series will arrive on Nov. 26 at 9 p.m. local time.

Fortunately, Paramount Plus is on all of the best streaming devices, so no need to worry about accessing it. Unfortunately, Paramount Plus hasn't launched in wider European regions yet.

Check out this new preview clip from the show, which reveals the Archer space dock, a little shoutout to Captain Archer from Star Trek: Enterprise.

How to watch Star Trek: Discovery season 4 online anywhere on Earth

Just because Paramount Plus isn't available everywhere (and it's expanding) doesn't mean you need to miss Star Trek: Discovery season 4. Watching along with the rest of the internet can be pretty easy. With the right VPN (virtual private network), you can stream the show from wherever you go.

We've evaluated many options, and the best VPN is ExpressVPN. It meets the VPN needs of the vast majority of users, offering outstanding compatibility with most devices and impressive connection speeds. It's also affordable at $12.95 per month. (Signing up for longer periods of six months or a year reduces the cost even more.)

ExpressVPN

Our favorite VPN service, ExpressVPN, really shines thanks to its safety, speed and simplicity-to-use. It's also compatible with loads of devices - from iOS and Android to Roku, Apple TV and PlayStations. 

How to watch Star Trek: Discovery season 4 in the US 

Set phasers to ... wait, no phasers needed here. Just download Paramount Plus right now. Star Trek: Discovery season 4 episode 1 arrived at 3 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 18.

The following 10 episodes, which run through to the end of January 2022, arrive on the following Thursdays. 

Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus combines what used to be CBS All Access with even more content from ViacomCBS partners. Includes Survivor and Big Brother episodes, as well as originals like Star Trek: Picard and The Good Fight. 

How to watch Star Trek: Discovery season 4 in the UK

Pluto (according to Den Of Geek) will have Star Trek: Discovery season 4, starting on Nov. 26.

If you're visiting the U.K. from the U.S., and want to watch Star Trek: Discovery season 4 when it airs on Paramount Plus, you can simply use one of the best VPN services, such as ExpressVPN, to make it seem like your device is back home.

How to watch Star Trek: Discovery season 4 in Canada

Canadians can watch Star Trek: Discovery season 4 with a subscription to Crave. Episodes should be arriving at the same time as the U.S.

Crave has a 7-day free trial. After that, the Movies + HBO package costs $19.98 CAD per month. 

If you're an American traveling abroad and want to use your Paramount Plus subscription, you'll need to look into the best VPN services.

How to watch Star Trek: Prodigy in Australia

Well, this is awkward. We thought that since Australia has Paramount Plus, our friends down under would be able to watch Star Trek: Discovery season 4. A reader report explains we assumed wrong. Australians are also waiting on this series to launch. Poor form, Paramount Plus.

Star Trek: Discovery season 4 characters and cast

  • Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham
  • Doug Jones as Saru
  • Anthony Rapp as Paul Stamets
  • Mary Wiseman as Sylvia Tilly
  • Wilson Cruz as Hugh Culber
  • David Ajala as Cleveland "Book" Booker
  • Blu del Barrio as Adira Tal
  • Ian Alexander as Gray Tal [Recurring]
  • Chelah Horsdal as the Federation President [Recurring]
  • David Cronenberg as Kovich [Special guest]
  • Oded Fehr as Charles Vance [Special guest]
  • Tig Notaro as Jett Reno [Special guest]
  • Tara Rosling as T'Rina [Special guest]
  • Kenneth Mitchell [Special guest]

So, there's all you need to watch Star Trek: Discovery season 4 on Paramount Plus, which is still trying to find ways to be a must-have. Check out our best streaming services rankings to see the services we recommend.

(Image credit: Future)
Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

  • punditguy
    Since Star Trek: Discovery takes place before Star Trek: The Original Series, one wonders if we'll learn more about the origins of the mission.
    Just... no. Fix this.
    Reply
  • DJ Jug
    punditguy said:
    Since Star Trek: Discovery takes place before Star Trek: The Original Series, one wonders if we'll learn more about the origins of the mission.
    Just... no. Fix this.
    I am 100% Team PunditGuy. It hurts my core to see an article like this. If you haven't watched the previous seasons to understand the timeline why write something at all?
    Reply