CBS is one of the oldest TV channels in America, and is still a major player in the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, streaming their content hasn't always been very easy — they've gone through a number of different streaming apps, none of which had exactly the same shows.
These days, you've got a few options for streaming CBS shows on your Roku device. You can download one of the three official CBS apps, the premium Paramount Plus app, or another app like Hulu that lets you watch live TV.
Here's how to watch CBS on Roku, no matter which app you want to use.
How to watch CBS on Roku
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Using the official apps
There are a lot of Roku apps associated with CBS. But the only three that you need to care about are CBS, CBS Sports Stream & Watch Live, and CBS News.
CBS is a free app that gives you access to a curated collection of CBS shows. The shows and episodes available change regularly, so don't expect anything you find to stay permanently. If you pay for cable, you can also log into your cable provider account to unlock more content and stream live TV from your local CBS station.
CBS Sports Stream & Watch Live is another free app, and lets you stream live sporting events and shows from CBS, CBS Sports Network, and Paramount Plus. This includes games from the NFL, NCAA Basketball, PGA Championship, and more. Some content is free, but you'll need a cable provider for some shows or programs.
Finally, CBS News also lets you watch live CBS news programs without needing an account or cable connection. It airs 24/7, and includes world news and local updates, as well as entertainment and sports coverage.
All of these apps let you watch CBS. To find them, just search for "CBS" in either the Search or Streaming Channels section of your Roku's homepage.
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With Paramount Plus
A few years ago, you could catch all of CBS' new shows on the CBS All Access app. But that app doesn't exist anymore — it's been replaced by the Paramount Plus app. All the CBS originals that you used to find in the All Access app (like "The Good Fight" or "Star Trek: Discovery") are now on Paramount Plus.
Luckily, you can download Paramount Plus for free like any other app. Just note that you'll need to sign up for a Paramount Plus account separately.
Head to either the Search or Streaming Channels section of your Roku's homepage and look for "Paramount." Once Paramount Plus appears in the search results, select it and then click Add channel.
You can then open the app and log into your Paramount Plus account to start watching CBS content.
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With a live TV app
You can also get CBS content through live TV subscription packages, like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. These both let you watch nearly any channel you'd get with a basic cable package, including CBS.
Both Hulu and YouTube have their own Roku apps, which you can find and download just like the rest. For more information,check out our longer articles on YouTube TV andHulu + Live TV.
Dave Johnson contributed to a previous version of this article.
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You can either download the CBS AllAccess app and watch on-demand programming or you can see if your cable company or Internet provider has a Roku app that will allow you to watch CBS live.
How to Watch CBS for Free. If you're just looking to watch CBS for a few days, you're in luck. Thanks to the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, and Paramount+, you can easily (and legally) livestream CBS for free (this is a great hack for things like the Super Bowl).
You also have the option to sign in with your cable provider to access full seasons and stream Live TV from your local CBS station including live news, sports, entertainment, and can't-miss live events like The Grammy Awards, NCAA March Madness, NFL on CBS and more.
Restart Your Devices: Sometimes, simply restarting your TV and phone can resolve streaming issues. Update the CBS App: If you're using the CBS app, make sure it's updated to the latest version.
@cdimaria CBS charge is likely Paramount +. If Paramount + does not show up in your subscriptions, either you have a second Roku account or the charge is not from Roku.
However, if you ask, "is CBS All Access free with Amazon Prime," the answer is no. CBS All Access, known as Paramount+, is available on Amazon Prime with Amazon channel add-on plans which are not free.
Enjoy access to worry-free kids programs, including original kids series and fan-favorites from Nickelodeon. Watch CBS All Access live and on-demand at home or on the go on all of your devices. Download your favorite on-demand titles to take with you and watch offline anytime and anywhere.
You can watch tons of content on demand on Peaco*ck. That includes titles from channels like NBC, Bravo, USA Network, SYFY, Oxygen, E!, MSNBC, Golf Channel, Universal Kids, A&E, ABC, CBS, The CW, Nickelodeon, Showtime, and more.
It's easy to stream CBS shows on your connected device! Just make sure you're using a supported device (Apple TV HD or 4k, Android TV, Fire TV, Roku) and follow the instructions below. To watch recent episodes for free: Download and open the CBS app on your device.
Select "Sign in with TV Provider," click "Continue." You'll see an access code displayed on your TV screen.
Visit cbs.com/tv/roku on your computer or mobile web browser and enter the on-screen access code, then click "Activate." Your connected device screen will refresh.
Do you still have a cable subscription at home? Download apps from major networks like NBC, FOX, CBS, and ABC and watch relevant channels online. When your cable subscription ends, move to one of the services from the list above to stream live TV channels on Roku.
If you have a Roku TV, all you need to do is connect an HDTV antenna to the TV and follow some on-screen steps to scan for local networks. After that, you can watch them just like you would any other channel. Such channels can include news, sports, weather and primetime TV, and the best part is that they're free.
If you are not seeing the station, you'll need to go into the tv settings, usually under Channels or Broadcast, and run the channel scan/search option there to retune the tv for the new frequencies. This is a simple process done using the tv remote.
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