Yes—but only as a historical, U.S.-focused deal. On October 12, 2020, Pluto TV announced that it would begin showing Narcos and Narcos: Mexico on October 20, free to viewers through its ad-supported service. The arrangement used scheduled Pluto TV channels and catch-up viewing, not necessarily a permanent, Netflix-style on-demand library. Current listings checked in late July and early August 2026 do not show Pluto TV as a current U.S. provider, so the old announcement should not be presented as proof that the series is free there today.
What Pluto TV announced in 2020
Engadget reported on October 12, 2020, that Pluto TV had licensed the Narcos franchise for U.S. viewers, with the rollout scheduled to start on October 20. The announcement covered both the three-season Narcos series and its two-season companion, Narcos: Mexico—five seasons combined, not five seasons of the original show.
The planned programming included English- and Spanish-language presentations on Pluto TV’s Crime Drama and Narco Novelas channels, along with a dedicated Narcos channel. The announcement is documented in Engadget’s contemporaneous report.
Was it actually free?
It was free in the sense that viewers did not need a paid Netflix subscription or a conventional monthly Pluto TV subscription. Pluto TV’s model is free, ad-supported streaming, as described in Paramount’s investor-relations transcript. “Free” therefore meant commercial interruptions and the limitations of a programmed service.
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- There was no stated subscription charge to watch Pluto TV’s presentation.
- Advertising funded the service.
- Viewers could have less control over episode selection and start times than on Netflix.
- Channel schedules, names and licensing windows could change.
How the viewing schedule worked
The word “stream” can be misleading here. Pluto TV announced a primarily linear, scheduled rollout rather than immediate, permanent access to every episode.
- Season 1 was scheduled for weeknights at 10 p.m. Eastern.
- Catch-up episodes were planned for the following day at 8 p.m. Eastern.
- One additional season was to be introduced each month through February 2021.
On a linear Pluto TV channel, viewers join whatever episode is airing. Catch-up or on-demand episodes may be selectable for a limited period, but the announcement does not establish that every episode was permanently available on demand. That differs from Netflix’s usual model, where subscribers select episodes and seasons from a catalog.
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Why could a Netflix series appear elsewhere?
Narcos was closely associated with Netflix, but that branding did not necessarily mean Netflix owned every underlying right. Contemporary reporting said the series was produced by Gaumont, which retained ownership and could license it elsewhere while the show continued streaming on Netflix. The Information also reported a six-month Pluto TV rights window.
This is a report about the arrangement, not a complete legal history of every Narcos right. The practical point is that a Netflix-branded program could receive a separate, time-limited, ad-supported license.
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What did “all five seasons” mean?
| Title | Seasons in the 2020 announcement |
|---|---|
| Narcos | 3 |
| Narcos: Mexico | 2 |
| Combined franchise total | 5 |
Netflix identifies the original Narcos as a three-season series in its Media Center and on its title page. Narcos: Mexico is a separate companion series, centered on the rise of Mexico’s Guadalajara cartel and later trafficking organizations. It should not be described as seasons four and five of the original show.
Was the deal worldwide?
No. The announcement concerned the United States. Pluto TV’s catalog and channel lineup vary by territory, and the U.S. rollout does not establish availability in Canada, Latin America, Europe or any other market.
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- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
Is Narcos still free on Pluto TV?
The 2020 deal is verified, but its present-day continuation is not. A U.S. JustWatch snapshot checked in late July and early August 2026 lists Narcos on Netflix and, in the title-level results, some free-with-ads availability through Amazon Prime Video’s free ad-supported offering. Pluto TV does not appear among the retrieved current providers. The season pages report no free option for Season 2 or Season 3 in that snapshot.
JustWatch is an availability guide rather than Pluto TV’s catalog operator. Because rights and schedules change, anyone republishing or relying on the claim should check Pluto TV directly. The responsible current wording is that the historic Pluto TV run is documented, while current Pluto TV availability is unverified.
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Where the series is listed now
| Service | What the late-July/early-August 2026 U.S. snapshot showed | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Narcos listed as a subscription title | Plan prices and catalog status can change; the listing showed Standard with Ads at $8.99 per month and a higher-priced plan at $19.99 per month when checked. |
| Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads | Narcos listed as available free with ads | Confirm the title, seasons, region and account eligibility directly at the time of viewing. |
| Pluto TV | Not shown in the retrieved current U.S. listings | The 2020 license and schedule do not prove a current catalog listing. |
See the JustWatch U.S. title page and its Season 1, Season 2 and Season 3 pages for that dated snapshot. For Pluto TV itself, consult the official service because a channel or on-demand listing can disappear when a license ends.
Quick Recap
What viewers should take away
- The announcement was real and launched on October 20, 2020.
- It applied to U.S. viewers and covered both Narcos and Narcos: Mexico.
- “Free” meant ad-supported Pluto TV viewing, not ad-free access.
- The rollout was scheduled and episodic, with announced next-day catch-up windows.
- The five-season figure referred to two related series.
- A reported six-month rights window makes the deal historical rather than automatically permanent.
- Current provider listings should be checked by country, season and date.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
