Commentary on the CBS documentary

As a long-time Rod Stewart fan, you’re naturally absolutely thrilled about a documentary – or rather, this major TV special – focusing on Rod Stewart. A tribute to a musical life’s work, spanning over six decades of songs, memories and unforgettable concerts. Exactly what millions of fans worldwide want to see.

And that, unfortunately, is precisely where the problem lies. Whilst CBS and Paramount+ have heavily promoted and broadcast the programme in the US, fans outside the US have effectively been left out in the cold. No official access, no global streaming option, no easy way to watch the show legally at a later date. Anyone not living in the US is currently simply left out in the cold – unless they use technical workarounds such as VPNs and the like.

What’s particularly frustrating is that, outside the US, viewers have so far been able to see little more than short clips: one-minute snippets, 30-second teasers, promo clips and announcement videos. Across Europe and many other parts of the world, fans currently have little choice but to make do with these small morsels. You’re constantly being whetted for the full show – but in the end, you still can’t watch it officially.

To be honest, that feels rather strange. Especially for an artist like Rod Stewart, who has had a huge international fanbase for decades. His music doesn’t belong to America alone. Rod has fans in Europe, South America, Australia, Asia – basically all over the world. Many have been following him since the 70s or 80s, have attended countless concerts and have followed his career for decades.

And we mustn’t forget: Rod Stewart is British. His musical roots lie in Britain, in Europe – that’s where his career began, after all. From London out into the world. That is precisely why it seems a little strange that, of all people, many European fans are being excluded from this special production. After all, Europe was the starting point of a career that later thrilled millions of people worldwide.

It is particularly a shame that the broadcast is essentially a concert recording from spring 2026 – exactly the kind of music event that fans all over the world would love to see. After all, music connects people internationally. Artists like Rod Stewart, in particular, have thrived for decades on the fact that people from all sorts of different countries celebrate the same songs together, share the same memories and have the same emotional connection to the music.

Of course, we’re happy for the fans in the US who had the chance to watch this show. But at the same time, many international fans are simply left with the feeling of having been left out. And that doesn’t really sit well with an artist whose career has been sustained for decades by a global fanbase.

Perhaps CBS and Paramount+ will think a bit more internationally next time. Because Rod Stewart isn’t just an American TV event – he’s a global music hero.

MH/STORYTELLER