Where To Stream Cheers In 2025: Why The Classic Sitcom Isn't On Netflix Anymore (And The Cast's Tragic Updates)

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Despite constant fan speculation and a massive library of classic television, the beloved 1980s sitcom *Cheers* is not available to stream on Netflix as of December 2025. This definitive answer is a disappointment for many, but the reason lies in the complex world of streaming rights, which have consolidated the iconic NBC comedy on a different platform entirely. The show, which ran from 1982 to 1993, remains a cornerstone of television history, but its digital home is now firmly established elsewhere, meaning your search for Sam Malone and the gang needs to shift away from the red N.

The confusion over *Cheers*' streaming availability is a common issue for older, network-owned shows. While Netflix excels at original content, major media companies like Paramount Global and NBCUniversal have aggressively reclaimed their classic titles to build their own streaming services. For fans seeking to revisit the Boston bar "where everybody knows your name," a different subscription is required, a reality that has only been solidified in the current streaming landscape.

The Definitive Streaming Home for Cheers in 2025

If you've been searching for *Cheers* on Netflix, you've been looking in the wrong place. The show's current, most complete streaming home is Paramount+.

As of late 2025, the entire 11-season run of the classic sitcom is available to subscribers on this platform. This is because the show was produced by Paramount Television, giving Paramount Global the long-term streaming rights. While the show originally aired on NBC, the production studio's ownership ultimately determines its digital home.

  • Primary Streaming Home: Paramount+ (All 11 Seasons).
  • Free Streaming Option: Pluto TV, a free, ad-supported streaming service also owned by Paramount Global, typically offers a rotating selection of *Cheers* seasons for free, though it may not be the complete series.
  • Other Options: The series is also available for digital purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.

The streaming world is highly competitive, and even spin-offs have their own homes. For example, the equally beloved spin-off, *Frasier*, which centers on Kelsey Grammer's character, is primarily available on Paramount+ as well, reinforcing the platform's hold on this particular comedic universe.

The Iconic Cheers Cast: Biography and Tragic 2025 Updates

The enduring popularity of *Cheers* stems from its incredible ensemble cast, a group of actors who created some of the most memorable characters in TV history. While the show remains timeless, the actors themselves have faced recent, significant life events, including two major losses in recent years. Here is a complete profile of the main cast, including their most current status and work through 2025.

Ted Danson (Sam Malone)

Role: Sam Malone, a former Red Sox relief pitcher and the owner of the bar, known for his womanizing ways and charming charisma.

Biography & Current Status: Born Edward Bridge Danson, he is an Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor whose career exploded after *Cheers*. Post-*Cheers*, he starred in hit shows like *Becker*, *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation*, and the critically acclaimed NBC comedy *The Good Place*. In a twist of irony for fans searching "Cheers Netflix," Danson recently debuted a new comedy series on the streaming giant called *A Man on the Inside*, which premiered to a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. He remains an active environmental activist.

George Wendt (Norm Peterson)

Role: Norm Peterson, the ultimate barfly and accountant whose entrance was always met with a chorus of "Norm!" He was known for his love of beer and his unseen wife, Vera.

Biography & Current Status: Wendt was a six-time Emmy nominee for his role and got his start in Chicago’s famed Second City improv troupe. In a tragic and very recent update, George Wendt passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 20, 2025, at the age of 76. His death sent a wave of sadness through the entertainment world, marking the loss of one of television's most beloved and affable characters.

Kirstie Alley (Rebecca Howe)

Role: Rebecca Howe, the high-strung, ambitious, and later, romantically frustrated manager who replaced Diane Chambers.

Biography & Current Status: Alley’s breakthrough role was in *Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan* before she joined *Cheers* in 1987. She won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the role. Sadly, Kirstie Alley passed away after a short battle with cancer on December 5, 2022, at the age of 71. Her death was a shock to fans and the cast, ending the life of a vibrant and often controversial public figure.

Rhea Perlman (Carla Tortelli)

Role: Carla Tortelli, the sharp-tongued, sarcastic, and fiercely loyal waitress with a large family.

Biography & Current Status: Perlman is an Emmy-winning actress who was married to Danny DeVito. Beyond *Cheers*, she is well-known for her role in *Matilda* (1996). Her career has seen a resurgence in recent years, including a memorable appearance in the blockbuster film *Barbie* (2023) and a guest role in the crime mystery series *Poker Face* in 2025.

Shelley Long (Diane Chambers)

Role: Diane Chambers, the intellectual, pretentious, and highly educated waitress whose on-again, off-again romance with Sam Malone defined the show’s early years.

Biography & Current Status: Long won an Emmy and two Golden Globes for her role. She left the show in 1987 to pursue a film career, starring in movies like *The Money Pit* and *Troop Beverly Hills*. She has made various television appearances since, including guest spots on *Modern Family*, and continues to be recognized as the quintessential counterpart to Sam Malone.

John Ratzenberger (Cliff Clavin)

Role: Cliff Clavin, the know-it-all mail carrier and bar regular who constantly spouted dubious "facts."

Biography & Current Status: Ratzenberger is a prolific actor and voice artist. Following his time on *Cheers*, he gained a unique distinction as the only actor to voice a character in every single Pixar feature film, most famously as Hamm the piggy bank in the *Toy Story* franchise. He remains a strong advocate for American manufacturing and skilled labor.

Woody Harrelson (Woody Boyd)

Role: Woody Boyd, the naive, sweet-natured, and somewhat dim-witted bartender from Hanover, Indiana, who replaced Coach.

Biography & Current Status: Harrelson joined the cast in Season 4 and earned an Emmy nomination. Since *Cheers*, he has become a globally recognized, Academy Award-nominated film star, known for roles in *Natural Born Killers*, *True Detective*, *The Hunger Games*, and *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri*. He continues to take on major film projects and is an outspoken environmental activist.

The True Legacy of the NBC Sitcom: Why It Endures

The fact that millions of people are still searching for "Cheers Netflix" nearly four decades after its debut is a testament to the show's incredible topical authority and enduring legacy. *Cheers* wasn't just a comedy; it was a masterclass in ensemble writing and character development, setting the standard for the modern sitcom. The show excelled at what is known as "bottle episodes," where the entire plot takes place in one location—the bar—a technique that highlighted the strength of its core cast and their interpersonal dynamics.

The central love triangle between Sam Malone and Diane Chambers, later evolving into the dynamic with Rebecca Howe, provided the romantic tension that anchored the show's humor. The supporting characters—Norm Peterson, Cliff Clavin, and Carla Tortelli—became cultural archetypes. The show received a staggering 117 Emmy nominations and won 28 times, including four awards for Outstanding Comedy Series. This level of critical acclaim and public adoration solidifies its place as one of the greatest television shows of all time, making its absence from Netflix a major gap in the streaming giant's catalog.

For fans hoping for a *Cheers* revival, the recent passing of key cast members George Wendt (2025) and Kirstie Alley (2022) makes a full-scale reunion virtually impossible. However, the success of the *Frasier* reboot on Paramount+ proves that the universe still has life, and the original series remains perfectly preserved on its current streaming home for new and old fans alike to enjoy.

cheers netflix
cheers netflix

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