Finding your local CBS channel shouldn’t be a complicated task. Still, with hundreds of local CBS affiliates nationwide and different channel numbers depending on your TV provider, it can sometimes be confusing.
Whether you’re looking to catch the latest episode of “Ghosts,” tune into NFL games on Sunday, or watch “60 Minutes,” knowing where to find CBS in your channel lineup is essential.
This guide will help you locate CBS regardless of your location or service provider.
What is CBS?
CBS (originally known as the Columbia Broadcasting System) is one of America’s oldest and most-watched broadcast television networks. Launched in 1927 as a radio network before expanding to television in 1941, CBS has built a reputation for quality programming across news, sports, and entertainment. The network is recognizable by its iconic eye logo and is currently owned by Paramount Global.
As the most-watched broadcast network in the United States, CBS reaches millions of viewers through its extensive network of more than 200 local affiliate stations nationwide. The network has at least one affiliate station in every state, including U.S. territories like the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
What Types of Shows Are Available on CBS?
CBS offers diverse programming that appeals to a wide audience:
Drama Series: CBS is known for its procedural dramas, including the long-running “NCIS” franchise, “FBI” and its spinoffs, “Blue Bloods,” “S.W.A.T.,” “The Equalizer,” and newer shows like “Tracker” and “Watson.”
Comedy Shows: Popular comedies include “Ghosts,” “The Neighborhood,” “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” and “Poppa’s House.”
Reality Programming: CBS hosts some of television’s most successful reality competitions, including “Survivor,” “Big Brother,” “The Amazing Race,” and “Tough as Nails.”
News and Talk Shows: CBS produces respected news programs like “60 Minutes,” “CBS Evening News,” “Face the Nation,” and “CBS This Morning,” along with late-night entertainment with “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “After Midnight.”
Sports Coverage: CBS Sports broadcasts NFL games, NCAA basketball (including March Madness), PGA golf tournaments, and various other sporting events.
CBS Channel Numbers on Various Cable TV Providers
Finding your local CBS channel depends on your location and TV service provider. Below is a comprehensive table showing CBS channel numbers in major U.S. cities across popular providers:
| City | Local affiliate | Cox | DIRECTV | DISH | Optimum | Spectrum | Xfinity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 13 | — | 13 | 13 | — | — | 13 |
| Atlanta, GA | 46 | — | 46 | 46 | — | 46 | 46 |
| Austin, TX | 42 | — | 42 | 42 | — | 42 | — |
| Baltimore, MD | 13 | — | 13 | 13 | — | — | 13 |
| Boston, MA | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 4 |
| Chicago, IL | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 12 | — | 12 | 12 | — | 12 | — |
| Cleveland, OH | 19 | 4 | 19 | 19 | — | 19 | — |
| Dallas, TX | 11 | — | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | — |
| Denver, CO | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 4 |
| Detroit, MI | 62 | — | 62 | 62 | — | — | 62 |
| Houston, TX | 11 | — | 11 | 11 | — | 11 | 11 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 47 | — | 47 | 47 | — | — | 47 |
| Kansas City, MO | 5 | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | 5 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — |
| Miami, FL | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 4 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 58 | — | 58 | 58 | — | 58 | — |
| Minneapolis, MN | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 4 |
| Nashville, TN | 5 | — | 5 | 5 | — | 5 | — |
| New Orleans, LA | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — |
| New York, NY | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | — | — | — |
| Orlando, FL | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| Portland, OR | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | 6 |
| Sacramento, CA | 13 | — | 13 | 13 | — | — | 13 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| San Antonio, TX | 5 | — | 5 | 5 | — | 5 | — |
| San Diego, CA | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | — | 8 | — |
| San Francisco, CA | 5 | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | 5 |
| Seattle, WA | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | — | — | 7 |
| St. Louis, MO | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | — |
| Tampa, FL | 10 | — | 10 | 10 | — | 10 | 10 |
| Tucson, AZ | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | — | — | 13 |
| Washington, DC | 9 | — | 9 | 9 | — | — | — |
If your city isn’t listed above, you can find your local CBS station by:
- Checking the channel guide on your TV
- Visiting your TV provider’s website
- Using CBS’s official stations and affiliates directory
- Entering your zip code on websites like CableTV.com to see local channel lineups
How to Watch CBS Online?
If you prefer to stream CBS content rather than watch through traditional TV, several options are available:
1. CBS App/Website
The CBS app allows you to watch the latest episodes for free without signing in with a TV provider.
You can also visit CBS.com and sign in using your TV provider’s credentials to access your local CBS station and on-demand content, including the latest episodes and full current seasons.
2. Paramount+
Paramount Plus service (formerly CBS All Access) features nearly all of CBS’s current content, exclusive originals like “Star Trek: Discovery,” and shows from networks including Nickelodeon and MTV. The Paramount+ With SHOWTIME plan also carries your live local CBS station.
3. Live TV Streaming Services
Several streaming platforms include CBS in their channel packages:
- YouTube TV ($82.99/mo)
- Hulu + Live TV ($81.99-$95.99/mo)
- FuboTV ($14.99-$94.99/mo)
- DIRECTV STREAM ($84.99-$154.99/mo)
4. Antenna
With so many affiliate stations across the U.S., receiving a CBS station is easy, nearly anywhere if you have an over-the-air antenna, offering free access to local channels, including CBS.
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Conclusion
CBS remains one of America’s most popular networks, delivering a mix of dramas, comedies, reality shows, news programs, and sports coverage. Whether you prefer watching through a traditional cable/satellite provider, streaming service, or over-the-air antenna, there are multiple ways to access CBS content.
CBS is included in most viewers’ basic cable and satellite packages, though the specific channel number varies by location and provider. If you’re cutting the cord, options like Paramount+, YouTube TV, and FuboTV offer convenient ways to stream CBS programming live or on demand.
No matter which method you choose, you’ll have access to CBS’s diverse lineup of popular shows, trusted news programs, and exciting sports coverage that millions of Americans enjoy daily.
