CBS Local channels are the regional broadcast stations that carry CBS network programming in your area

A CBS Local channel is a television station licensed to serve a specific city or region. It broadcasts CBS network shows — like news, sports, and primetime programs — but it also produces its own local news, weather, and community coverage. The station you watch depends on where you live. If you're in New York, you watch WCBS. In Los Angeles, it's KCBS. In Chicago, it's WBBM. Each one is owned and operated by Paramount (the parent company of CBS), and each has its own news team and local content.

CBS Local channels are free over the air if you have an antenna, but you can also watch them through cable, satellite, or streaming services — including Paramount+, which carries many CBS Local stations' live feeds and on-demand content.

Key Takeaways

  • CBS Local channels are regional broadcast stations that carry CBS network programming plus local news and weather for your specific city or area.
  • You can watch CBS Local channels for free with an antenna, through cable or satellite TV, or through Paramount+ if your local station is included in the service.
  • Each CBS Local station has its own call letters and produces its own local news broadcasts separate from the national CBS Evening News.
  • Paramount+ does not carry all CBS Local stations — availability depends on your location and your Paramount+ subscription tier.

How CBS Local channels differ from the CBS network

The CBS network is the national programming service that produces shows like 60 Minutes, The Price Is Right, and the CBS Evening News. CBS Local channels receive that feed and broadcast it to your region, but they interrupt it with their own local news, weather, and commercials.

Think of it this way: CBS (the network) creates the primetime shows and national news. CBS Local (your regional station) decides when you see them and fills the rest of the broadcast day with local reporting. A CBS Local station might air the national CBS Evening News at 6:30 p.m., but at 6 p.m. it airs its own local news broadcast. That local newscast is produced by the CBS Local station's own reporters and anchors, not by the national network.

Which CBS Local stations are available on Paramount+

Paramount+ carries live feeds from CBS Local stations in major markets, but not all of them, and availability varies by subscription tier and location. The service typically includes stations in cities like New York (WCBS), Los Angeles (KCBS), Chicago (WBBM), Philadelphia (KYW), and others, but you need to check your specific market.

To see whether your local CBS station streams on Paramount+, open the app or website, go to the Live TV section, and look for your local CBS channel. If it appears, you can watch it live. If it does not, your local station may not have a streaming agreement with Paramount+, or it may only be available through your cable or satellite provider's app.

Some CBS Local stations also stream directly through their own websites or apps, independent of Paramount+. You can search "[your city] CBS news live" to find out whether your station offers its own stream.

How to find your local CBS station

Your CBS Local station's call letters depend on your location. Stations east of the Mississippi River typically start with W (like WCBS in New York or WBBM in Chicago). Stations west of the Mississippi typically start with K (like KCBS in Los Angeles or KTVT in Dallas). The last three letters are usually an abbreviation of the city name or the station's branding.

To find your local CBS station, search "[your city] CBS" or "[your city] CBS news" in a search engine. The station's website will show you its broadcast schedule, local news times, and whether it offers a live stream. You can also use the FCC's database of broadcast stations at fcc.gov/media/radio/fm-query (though this requires knowing your station's call letters first).

Watching CBS Local with an antenna

All CBS Local stations broadcast over the air for free. If you have a TV antenna, you can tune to the station's channel number and watch its signal without paying anything. The picture quality is often better than streaming, and you do not need internet or a subscription.

To receive a CBS Local station with an antenna, you need to be within the station's broadcast range — usually 30 to 50 miles from the transmitter, depending on terrain and antenna quality. If you are far from the city where the station is licensed, you may not be able to receive it. You can test your location's antenna reception at tvfool.com, which shows which stations broadcast to your address and what antenna type you might need.

Watching CBS Local through cable and satellite

Most cable and satellite TV providers carry your local CBS station as part of their basic or standard package. The channel number varies by provider — it might be channel 2 on one cable system and channel 6 on another — so check your provider's channel guide or call their customer service to find it.

If you have cable or satellite TV, you can also watch your local CBS station through your provider's app or website, usually by signing in with your account credentials. This lets you stream the live broadcast or watch recent episodes of local news on demand.

Why some CBS Local stations are not on Paramount+

Paramount+ carries CBS Local stations only in markets where Paramount has negotiated streaming rights. In smaller markets, the local CBS station may be owned by a different company or may not have a streaming agreement in place. In other cases, the station may have exclusive streaming deals with other platforms or with its cable and satellite providers.

If your local CBS station is not on Paramount+, you can still watch it over the air with an antenna, through cable or satellite TV, or through the station's own website or app. Many CBS Local stations offer free streaming through their own digital platforms, even if they are not on Paramount+.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch CBS Local news on Paramount+ if I do not have cable?

If your local CBS station is available on Paramount+, yes — you can watch its live broadcast and on-demand news clips with a Paramount+ subscription. However, not all CBS Local stations are on Paramount+. Check the Live TV section of the app to see whether your station is included. If it is not, try the station's own website or app, which often offers free streaming.

What is the difference between CBS and my local CBS station?

CBS is the national network that produces primetime shows and the national evening news. Your local CBS station is a regional broadcast station that airs those network programs but also produces its own local news, weather, and community coverage. The local station interrupts the network feed to show local content during certain times of day.

Do I need an antenna to watch CBS Local?

No. You can watch CBS Local through cable TV, satellite TV, Paramount+, or the station's own streaming app. An antenna is one option, but it is not required. The advantage of an antenna is that it is free and does not require internet or a subscription.

Why does my cable provider show a different channel number for CBS than my antenna does?

Cable and satellite providers assign their own channel numbers to stations. Your antenna receives the station's actual broadcast channel (which the FCC assigns), but your cable box may display it as a different number for convenience. Both are the same station — the channel number just depends on how you are receiving the signal.

Can I watch CBS Local if I live outside the station's broadcast area?

With an antenna, no — you need to be within the station's broadcast range. With cable, satellite, or streaming, it depends on your provider's rules. Some services restrict local stations to people in that market, while others allow out-of-market viewing. Check your provider's terms or contact their customer service to ask.