What Channel Is CBS On?

Where's CBS in your local channel lineup? CableTV.com has your number.

If you've found yourself wondering "What channel is CBS?" you're in the right place. We've got CBS's channel number for DIRECTV, DISH, Spectrum, Xfinity, and TV antennas in the 10 largest US cities.

You'll also find info below on how to get CBS with traditional and streaming TV. Plus, we've got recommendations for the CBS shows we think you should check out. Let's get you the hookup!

What's CBS?

Launched in 1927—yes, there was TV back then—CBS is the most-watched broadcast network in the US (hence the eyeball logo). Formerly known as the Columbia Broadcasting System, it's home to long-running hits like Survivor, The Big Bang Theory, and three NCIS series, as well as 48 Hours, CBS Sports, and The Grammys.

We should also mention dumb guilty pleasures Big Brother and Undercover Boss—there, done. We can't live on Face the Nation and 60 Minutes alone, right?

What channel is CBS on near me?

The channel number of CBS varies by city and by whether you have a cable or satellite provider (or use an antenna). There are over 200 local CBS TV stations across the country, with at least one in every state, including the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Who carries CBS? The Eye is everywhere.

We've listed the CBS channel numbers and available providers for a handful of major cities below—from Dish to Spectrum, you'll be able to find what channel CBS is on for nearly every major provider. If your hometown or state isn't included, check out CBS's official stations and affiliates directory.

CBS stations in major US cities

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Get CBS in your neighborhood

Enter your zip code to see TV service providers in your area.

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Get CBS with cable or satellite TV

With most cable and satellite providers, local channels like CBS are included with all plans, from the least expensive up to fully loaded packages. Here are the basic TV plans that carry CBS stations:

  • DIRECTV —ENTERTAINMENT ($64.99/mo.)
  • DISH —America's Top 120 ($64.99/mo.)
  • Spectrum —Select ($44.99/mo.)
  • Xfinity —Basic ($20.00/mo.)

Data as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

With Spectrum and Xfinity, you can also bundle internet and home phone service with your TV. DIRECTV and DISH don't have their own internet or phone services, but they offer "bundle" specials with outside internet providers in select areas.

Find out which TV and internet providers are available near you

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Get CBS with an antenna

You don't necessarily need a cable or satellite subscription to get CBS, or any other local channel for that matter. With so many affiliate stations in the US, receiving a CBS station is easy nearly anywhere if you have an antenna.

Here are two digital HD indoor and outdoor antennas we recommend at CableTV.com:

  • Mohu Leaf (25-mile range)—approximately $18
  • 1byone Indoor Antenna (120-mile range)—approximately $26

Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Check out our cord-cutter antennas guide to see more of our top over-the-air antenna picks.

Get CBS with live TV streaming services

Internet-based livestreaming TV services are cheaper than cable or satellite providers like DIRECTV in most cases, but they don't always have local stations like CBS.

For example: Hulu + Live TV, a favorite here at CableTV.com, features CBS content only on demand in most areas, not live. Another big name in livestreaming, Sling TV, doesn't carry any CBS stations.

Livestreaming TV services that do play nice with CBS include these providers:

  • YouTube TV—$64.99/mo.
  • DIRECTV Stream —$69.99/mo.
  • fuboTV—$64.99/mo.

Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Interested in a streaming service? Visit our TV streaming guide to learn more about these services.

Need for (internet) speed

How fast is fast enough to stream and game over the internet? Find out now with CableTV.com's Best Internet for Streaming primer.

Get CBS with Paramount Plus

If you want nothing but CBS, there's Paramount+. It's a streaming app that features nearly all of CBS's current content, exclusive originals like Star Trek: Discovery, and shows from networks including Nickelodeon and MTV.

Paramount+ also carries live local CBS, CBSN, CBS Sports HQ, and ET Live programming. But hits like Yellowstone and The Big Bang Theory (for one big Bazinga! of an example) aren't available on Paramount+, since they're currently Peacock and HBO Max exclusives.

If you want to try Paramount+, the app is compatible with Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, iOS/Android, PlayStation, and Xbox devices.

What's on CBS?

CBS is the most popular network in America for a reason: it has hit shows across genres. Sure, most of CBS's slate is made up of procedural law dramas and laugh-tracked sitcoms, but that's not all there is to the network—here's some of what CBS currently airs.

Dramas

  • NCIS
  • NCIS: Los Angeles
  • NCIS: New Orleans
  • Blue Bloods
  • FBI
  • SEAL Team
  • S.W.A.T.
  • MacGyver
  • Magnum P.I.
  • Evil

Comedies

  • Young Sheldon
  • Mom
  • The Neighborhood
  • The Unicorn
  • Bob Hearts Abishola

Reality shows

  • Survivor
  • The Amazing Race
  • Love Island
  • Big Brother
  • Undercover Boss
  • Whistleblower

Talk and news shows

  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
  • The Late Late Show with James Corden
  • The Talk
  • 60 Minutes
  • 48 Hours
  • Face the Nation
  • CBS This Morning
  • CBS Evening News

What's on CBS Sports?

CBS Sports, the sports division of CBS (obviously), covers pro and college football, soccer, golf, tennis, bull riding, and a little thing known as NCAA basketball on the network. Wins for the ages, as star CBS Sports announcer Jim Nantz would say.

CBS Sports shares the broadcast schedule with regular CBS programming, so it's mostly consigned to the weekends (with the exception of the NCAA Tournament). If you want 24/7 sports, there's CBS Sports Network, CBS's cable channel, which is available on most cable, satellite, and livestreaming TV services.

Here's some of what you'll find on CBS Sports:

  • NCAA Tournament
  • Road to the Final Four
  • NFL on CBS
  • Super Bowl (rotating years)
  • College football
  • PGA Golf
  • World Team Tennis
  • Davis Cup Tennis
  • Professional Bull Riders
  • WNBA Basketball
  • NWSL Soccer
  • UEFA Soccer (beginning 2121)

About the Author
Bill Frost

Bill Frost has been a journalist and TV reviewer since the 4:3-aspect-ratio '90s. His pulse-pounding prose has been featured in The Salt Lake Tribune, Inlander, Coachella Valley Independent, Salt Lake City Weekly, and many other dead-tree publications (see BillFrost.tv). In addition to being a Senior Staff Writer at CableTV.com, Bill is a Senior Writer and streaming TV columnist at SLUGMag.com and host/producer of TV Tan Podcast. By night, Bill cranks a Flying V with his band at the bar.

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