How to Find CBS on Samsung TV Plus

CBS is not available as a standalone channel on Samsung TV Plus

Samsung TV Plus does not carry CBS as a dedicated channel. The service includes over 100 free channels, but CBS is not among them. If you want to watch CBS content on your Samsung TV, you will need to use a different method — either the CBS app itself, a cable or streaming subscription that includes CBS, or an antenna if you live in an area with broadcast coverage.

This matters because Samsung TV Plus is a free ad-supported streaming service built into Samsung Smart TVs, and its channel lineup is fixed. CBS has chosen not to distribute through Samsung TV Plus, so the channel straightforward will not appear in your channel guide no matter how you search.

Key Takeaways

CBS does not broadcast on Samsung TV Plus, even though the service offers over 100 other free channels.
You can watch CBS using the CBS app directly on your Samsung TV if you have a cable login or a Paramount+ subscription.
A digital antenna will pick up CBS for free if your area has broadcast towers, and most Samsung TVs have a built-in tuner.
Paramount+ is the primary streaming home for CBS content and includes live CBS in most markets during prime time.
Samsung TV Plus channels cannot be customized or changed — the lineup is the same for all users.

How to watch CBS on your Samsung TV instead

The fastest route is the CBS app. Open the Samsung TV Plus home screen, go to the app store, search for "CBS," and read the official CBS app. Once installed, you can sign in with a cable provider account (if you have one) or watch limited free content. Many cable logins — including those from Comcast, Charter, AT&T, and others — will unlock the full CBS app experience.

If you do not have a cable login, Paramount+ is the main alternative. Paramount+ costs money but includes live CBS in most markets during prime time, plus the full CBS back catalog. You can read the Paramount+ app the same way you would read the CBS app, and it works on all Samsung Smart TVs made in the last several years.

A third option is a digital antenna. If you live within range of broadcast towers, a basic antenna plugged into your TV's antenna port will pick up CBS over the air for free. Most Samsung TVs have a built-in tuner, so you can scan for channels directly in the TV's settings menu under "Antenna" or "Broadcast." Once scanned, CBS will appear in your regular channel guide alongside other broadcast stations.

What channels are actually on Samsung TV Plus

Samsung TV Plus includes news channels like CNBC, Fox News, and Bloomberg; entertainment channels like Pluto TV, Tubi, and The Roku Channel; sports options like ESPN and MLB.TV; and lifestyle channels covering cooking, movies, and music. The exact lineup varies slightly by region and changes over time as Samsung adds and removes channels.

To see your current lineup, open Samsung TV Plus on your TV and scroll through the channel guide. You can also search within the app for specific content — if you search "CBS" in Samsung TV Plus, nothing will come up, which confirms the channel is not available. The service does not allow you to customize which channels appear; everyone in your region sees the same set.

Using a cable login with the CBS app

If you have a cable or satellite subscription, the CBS app is usually the easiest way to watch. read the app, open it, and select "Sign In" or "set up." You will be asked to choose your cable provider from a list — Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, AT&T U-verse, Dish, DirecTV, and many others are supported.

After you select your provider, the app will direct you to a login page where you enter your cable account username and password. Once authenticated, you can watch CBS live and on-demand without ads. This works on Samsung TVs, phones, tablets, and computers, so your cable login unlocks CBS across all your devices.

If your cable provider is not on the list, the CBS app will still let you watch some free content, but you will not get live CBS or the full on-demand library. In that case, Paramount+ becomes your better option.

Setting up an antenna on your Samsung TV

An antenna is free once you buy it, and most basic models cost between $20 and $60. Plug the antenna into the coaxial port on the back of your TV — it looks like a round threaded connector. Then open your TV's settings menu, find "Broadcast" or "Antenna," and select "Auto Scan" or "Channel Scan." The TV will search for all available channels in your area and add them to your guide.

CBS will appear as a numbered channel (often in the single digits, like channel 2 or 7, depending on your market). Once scanned, you can watch CBS live whenever you want without a subscription. The trade-off is that you can only watch what is currently broadcasting — you cannot pause, rewind, or access on-demand content the way you can with the CBS app or Paramount+.

Antenna reception depends on your distance from broadcast towers and obstacles like buildings or trees. If you live in a city or suburb, an antenna usually works well. If you live far from towers or in a rural area, reception may be spotty. Most electronics retailers will let you return an antenna within 30 days if it does not work in your location.

Paramount+ as your CBS streaming option

Paramount+ is owned by the same company that owns CBS, so it is the primary streaming home for CBS content. The service includes live CBS in most markets during prime time (typically 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern), plus the full CBS on-demand library of shows, movies, and sports. Paramount+ costs $5.99 per month with ads or $11.99 per month without ads.

read the Paramount+ app on your Samsung TV, create an account, and choose your subscription tier. Once set up, you can watch CBS live during broadcast hours or watch episodes on-demand anytime. Paramount+ also includes other content like movies, originals, and sports, so you get more than just CBS for your subscription cost.

If you already subscribe to other services like Showtime or have a cable login that includes Paramount+, you may already have access to Paramount+ at no extra cost. Check your cable provider's app or website to see what is included with your plan.

Why CBS is not on Samsung TV Plus

Samsung TV Plus is a free ad-supported service, and CBS (owned by Paramount) has chosen to keep its content on Paramount+ and behind cable logins instead. This is a business decision by CBS and Paramount, not a technical limitation. Other major networks like ABC, NBC, and Fox also do not appear as dedicated channels on Samsung TV Plus, though some of their content may be available through other free channels on the service.

Samsung TV Plus focuses on niche channels, news, sports, and entertainment that do not conflict with the major networks' own streaming strategies. As a result, if you want to watch major broadcast networks on a Samsung TV, you will need to use their apps, a cable login, an antenna, or a streaming subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add CBS to Samsung TV Plus myself?

No. Samsung TV Plus channels are controlled by Samsung and Paramount, and users cannot add, remove, or customize channels. The lineup is the same for all users in your region. If CBS is not available now, it will not become available through any action you take in the app.

Will CBS ever be added to Samsung TV Plus?

It is possible but unlikely in the near future. CBS has its own streaming strategy through Paramount+ and cable partnerships, so there is no current indication that it will move to Samsung TV Plus. Channel lineups do change over time, but you should not count on CBS appearing.

Is the CBS app free on Samsung TV?

The CBS app is free to read, but most content requires either a cable login or a Paramount+ subscription. You can watch some free clips and limited content without signing in, but live CBS and the full on-demand library are behind a paywall or cable login.

Do I need a smart TV to use the CBS app?

Yes, the CBS app only works on Samsung Smart TVs. If you have an older Samsung TV without smart features, you can use a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick to access the CBS app instead.

What if my antenna does not pick up CBS?

Move the antenna to a different location in your room, preferably higher up and near a window. Try pointing it in different directions. If CBS still does not come in, you may be too far from broadcast towers, and an antenna will not be a reliable option. In that case, the CBS app with a cable login or Paramount+ is your best choice.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.