How to Stream CBS in 2025: All Legal, Free, and Paid Options
CBS was the most-watched TV channel in 2024. It’s home to many sports like the NFL, PGA, and NCAA March Madness. It has a strong daytime lineup, excellent news programs like “60 Minutes,” and popular shows like “NCIS,” “FBI,” “The Equalizer,” “Fire Country,” “Ghosts,” and “The Neighborhood.”
Thanks to its popularity, CBS is one of the easiest channels to watch. Here’s everything you need to know about watching CBS in 2025.
How to Watch CBS for Free
There are multiple legal ways to watch CBS live without paying.
Free Trials of Streaming Services with CBS
CBS is included with Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. The service typically offers a 7-day free trial.
You can double the length of the trial by doing one trial through the service directly, and another trial through Prime Video.
$12.99/mo.
You can also watch CBS with free trials of multi-channel streamers like DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. Those services typically offer 1-5 days of free streaming. Cancel before the trial ends and you won’t be charged.
Watching CBS with an Antenna
If you have an antenna lying around, you can use it to watch CBS for free as long as you can access the signal from your local affiliate. I’ve attached my antenna to a HD Homerun so I can stream dozens of channels on all my devices at no additional cost.
Watching CBS Content with a Totally Free Streaming Service
Pluto TV is completely free and features lots of archival CBS content including “CSI,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Good Wife,” “Numb3rs,” “The King of Queens,” “I Love Lucy,” “Maude,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Big Brother,” “The Amazing Race,” “Survivor,” and old episodes of “The Price is Right” with Bob Barker.
If you’re only interested in local or national news from CBS, many affiliates broadcast their newscasts on free streaming services like Zeam, Xumo, NewsON, Local Now, Tubi, Plex, Haystack News, and Very Local.
Paid Options to Stream CBS
There are 5 streaming services that offer the full CBS channel in 2025.
Watching CBS with Paramount+ with SHOWTIME
Paramount+ is a good streaming service with a great kids’ library, lots of “comfort food TV,” Taylor Sheridan’s compelling adult dramas, and a strong movie library. When you upgrade to the ad-free plan, that includes the SHOWTIME library and your live, local CBS affiliate.
$12.99/mo.
As we mentioned above, you can get started with a free trial. Read our full Paramount+ review.
Watching CBS with DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is a great live TV option with several different channel packages. In fact, DIRECTV STREAM offers more channels than any other live streamer. CBS is available on the following packages: Entertainment ($86.99), Choice ($114.99) Ultimate ($129.99) and Premier ($169.99)
You’ll get an unlimited DVR, unlimited streams at home, and a very friendly user interface. It’s my top choice for first-time cord-cutters.
$86.99/mo.+
Read our full DIRECTV STREAM review.
Watching CBS with Fubo
I don’t normally recommend Fubo because its price is outrageous compared to its competitors. The channel lineup has some giant holes. Still, you can get your local CBS station with the following packages: Pro ($100.98) and Elite ($110.98).
$100.98/mo. $70.99/mo.
Watching CBS with Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV might be the best value in live TV streaming. Not only do you get a generous channel lineup, you also get free Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu on-demand. It’s a great package for families. Many users complain about the clunky interface. Still, it’s a ton of entertainment for a fair price and you will be able to stream CBS.
$82.99/mo.
Read our full Hulu + Live TV review.
Watching CBS with YouTube TV
YouTube TV is quickly becoming a dinosaur in the live TV streaming world. It was my go-to solution for several years, but I dropped it as the price climbed and the channel lineup remained stale. It’s the same price as Hulu + Live TV but without the free streaming services. YouTube TV does carry CBS.
$82.99/mo.
Read our full YouTube TV review.
Live TV Streaming Services That Do Not Carry CBS
Sling TV, Philo, and Frndly TV do not carry CBS.
What Can You Watch with CBS?
CBS offers a strong lineup around the clock. Here are some of the channel’s most popular shows. In addition to these, your local CBS affiliate will supplement the schedule with syndicated programming.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Most people who want to watch CBS should choose a live TV streaming service that offers multiple channels. Although I really like Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, I wouldn’t count on it as my only CBS option.
Right now, I’m using an antenna and the HD Homerun box, but if I had to choose a live TV streamer, DIRECTV STREAM offers the right mix of channel packages, features and price.
Thankfully, CBS is widely available so you have several options to find the right provider for you.
