Where to Watch CBS: Your Streaming and Cable Options

CBS is available on Paramount+ and through your cable or satellite provider

CBS broadcasts its shows through two main routes: Paramount+, the streaming service owned by CBS's parent company, and traditional cable or satellite TV packages that include CBS as a live channel. If you want to watch CBS shows on demand or stream live CBS programming, Paramount+ is the primary streaming home. If you have a cable or satellite subscription that includes CBS, you can also watch through your provider's app or website, and some providers let you stream CBS live without an extra fee.

The choice between these options depends on what you want to watch and when. Paramount+ gives you access to current CBS shows, older seasons of popular series, and exclusive content, but you pay a monthly subscription. Cable and satellite let you watch CBS live as it airs, but require a full TV package subscription. Some CBS shows also appear on other platforms like Netflix or Apple TV+, but those are individual licensing deals, not the main CBS home.

Key Takeaways

Paramount+ is the primary streaming home for CBS content and offers both live CBS and on-demand episodes of CBS shows.
If you have cable or satellite TV that includes CBS, you can stream CBS through your provider's app using your login credentials.
Paramount+ has two subscription tiers: one with ads and one without ads, and both include CBS content.
Some CBS shows also stream on other platforms like Netflix or Apple TV+, but these are separate from the main CBS broadcast schedule.
Live CBS on Paramount+ requires the higher-tier subscription; the ad-supported tier may have limited live access depending on your region.

Paramount+ as the main CBS streaming home

Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Global, the same company that owns CBS, so it functions as the official streaming home for CBS content. When you subscribe to Paramount+, you get access to current episodes of CBS shows like The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, 60 Minutes, and NCIS franchises, usually within hours of them airing on live CBS. You also get back seasons of these shows and access to the live CBS feed in most markets.

Paramount+ offers two subscription tiers. The ad-supported tier costs less per month but shows advertisements during shows. The ad-free tier costs more but removes ads from most content. Both tiers include CBS programming. Live CBS access may vary slightly by tier and region—check Paramount+'s website for what is available in your area. You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick.

Watching CBS through your cable or satellite provider

If you already pay for cable or satellite TV that includes CBS, you can stream CBS through your provider's app or website without paying extra. Major providers like Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, AT&T U-verse, Dish, and DirecTV all offer apps where you can watch CBS live or on demand using your account login. The shows available and how far back you can rewatch episodes depend on your provider's agreement with CBS.

To use your provider's app, read it on your phone, tablet, or streaming device, then sign in with your cable or satellite account username and password. You will see CBS listed as a channel you can watch live, and often a section for on-demand CBS shows. This option works only if you already have an active cable or satellite subscription that includes CBS—it is not a separate purchase.

Other platforms where CBS shows appear

Some CBS shows are licensed to other streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock. These are individual deals between CBS and those platforms, not the main CBS broadcast feed. For example, a show might air on CBS and then appear on Netflix weeks or months later, or a new series might premiere exclusively on one of these platforms instead of CBS. These shows are not part of a CBS streaming package—you would need a separate subscription to that platform to watch them.

To learn about a specific CBS show streams elsewhere, search for the show's name plus "where to watch" on Google, or check the show's official website. The main CBS shows and the live CBS feed are always on Paramount+, but individual shows may have additional homes on other platforms.

CBS.com and the CBS app

CBS also has its own website at CBS.com and a standalone CBS app where you can watch some content for free with ads, or with a cable login. The free tier on CBS.com and the CBS app offers a limited selection of recent episodes and clips, but not the full library or live CBS. To unlock more content on these platforms, you typically need to sign in with a cable or satellite provider account or subscribe to Paramount+.

The CBS app and CBS.com are useful if you want to catch up on a recent episode quickly, but they are not a complete streaming solution. For the full range of CBS content and live CBS, Paramount+ is the more reliable choice.

Live CBS versus on-demand episodes

Live CBS means you watch the channel as it broadcasts in real time, just like on a TV set. On-demand means you choose when to watch an episode that has already aired. Paramount+ offers both: you can tune into the live CBS feed to watch shows as they air, or you can go to the show's page and watch episodes on your schedule. Your cable or satellite provider also offers both options through their app.

If you want to watch a show the day it airs but not at the exact time it broadcasts, on-demand is more convenient. If you want to watch live events, sports, or news as they happen, you need the live feed. Paramount+ includes both, so you can choose based on what you are watching and when.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Paramount+ if I already have cable with CBS?

No. If your cable or satellite package includes CBS, you can stream CBS through your provider's app at no extra cost. Paramount+ is only necessary if you do not have cable or want additional CBS content beyond what your provider offers on demand.

Can I watch CBS live on Paramount+ with the cheaper ad-supported plan?

It depends on your region and subscription tier. Paramount+ offers live CBS on most tiers, but some regions or lower-tier plans may have limited live access. Check Paramount+'s website or app to see what is available where you live.

Why is a CBS show I want to watch on Netflix instead of Paramount+?

CBS licenses individual shows to other streaming platforms as separate deals. A show might air on CBS and then move to Netflix, or premiere exclusively on another platform. Paramount+ has the main CBS broadcast content, but not every CBS show streams there.

Can I watch CBS for free anywhere?

CBS.com and the CBS app offer some free content with ads, but the selection is limited. For full access to current episodes and live CBS, you need either a Paramount+ subscription or a cable or satellite provider login.

What devices can I use to watch CBS on Paramount+?

Paramount+ works on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, and gaming consoles. read the Paramount+ app on your device or visit Paramount.com in a web browser.

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.