New fans who have been eagerly taking in “Yellowstone” in its airings on CBS may have been wondering where the series has gone. Instead of finding episodes of the hit show on Sunday nights, viewers noticed that it was absent from CBS for a few weeks in late December and on Jan. 7, when CBS aired the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.
“Yellowstone” is streaming on Philo, which offers a free trial; on Fubo, which also offers a free trial; and on Peacock.
But hold onto your cowboy boots, fans, because “Yellowstone” is returning to CBS beginning this Sunday, Jan. 14. The series, which originally aired on the cable channel Paramount Network, has been showing repeats of the show on CBS, a broadcast network that’s available to more viewers than cable channels are.
Since CBS began airing “Yellowstone” from the beginning, back in September, viewers have seen Season 1 and Season 2. Season 3 begins on Sunday, with three episodes airing back-to-back.
“Yellowstone” was already a huge hit, but its broadcast network airings have only added to the fan base, according to CBS. The contemporary Western has reached “nearly 33 million unique viewers since it began airing Sundays on CBS and averaging 5.04 million viewers per episode (Nielsen Most Current Persons 2+) as the #1 entertainment program on the night,” CBS has said.
In case you’ve been hiding in a bunkhouse somewhere, “Yellowstone” focuses on John Dutton (Kevin Costner), head of a vast Montana ranching empire, his often-feuding offspring, battles for control of land, and struggles for power.
In addition to Costner, the cast includes Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton, Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton, Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler, and Gil Birmingham as Chief Thomas Rainwater.
The three Season 3 episodes that screen on Sunday begin at 8 p.m. with Season 3, Episode 1, “You’re the Indian Now.” Here’s the plot synopsis: “In the wake of the Beck Brothers, John reshuffles the political decks; Beth finds a trespasser on the ranch and learns that he may have big ambitions for the surrounding land; John helps Tate deal with his nightmares.”
Next comes “Freight Trains and Monsters,” at 9 p.m. The synopsis: “The Duttons open camp, which proves to be the best therapy for Tate; Jamie and Hendon agree to teach a lesson to two criminals, but it does not go as intended; Beth learns more about Roarke’s business plans; Teeter joins the bunkhouse.”
Finally Season 3, Episode 3, titled “An Acceptable Surrender,” airs at 10 p.m. The synopsis: “Jamie plays cover up and damage control with Hendon; Gov. Perry hears a multibillion dollar pitch for a development right on the Yellowstone; Jimmy competes in a rodeo competition.”