For fans of CBS programming, the new Paramount+ streaming service may be just what you need to supplement your existing subscription. As highlighted in our Paramount+ review, the service gives you access to an on-demand library of classic CBS shows as well as currently-airing programs. But for some fans, the biggest appeal may be the ability to access CBS live programming.
But how exactly do you access a CBS live stream with this subscription? And does it cost anything extra on top of what you’re already paying? This post answers those questions for you and helps you figure out how to watch CBS live programming with Paramount+.
What is live TV on Paramount+?
Paramount+ is a dedicated streaming service that lets you watch both current and classic CBS programming. While its impressive on-demand library and exclusive content are the main highlights, the service also makes sense for viewers who want a bit of a live TV experience.
Your Paramount+ subscription also includes access to CBS live TV channels, where you can watch news programming, shows, and sports as they air. That means you can watch broadcasts of events as they happen — whether it’s a big NFL game or a new update in a major news event.
The best part is that you get these Paramount+ live TV channels by default with your Premium plan subscription. That means you don’t have to pay anything extra or get a separate plan to access the CBS live stream. So you just need to spend $9.99/mo. to get both on-demand programming and live TV.
How to start watching live TV channels
There are two ways to watch live TV on Paramount+ — through the website or using the official Paramount+ app. To start watching through the website, go to Paramount+ official website and sign in with your login credentials. Or you can download the Paramount+ app to your mobile, tablet device, or a streaming media player and sign in using the same credentials.
Once that’s done, the steps to start watching live TV on Paramount+ are pretty straightforward. With both of these options, follow the steps below to start watching CBS live TV programming:
- Step 1: Select the “Live TV” option from the menu. The location will vary depending on how you access the service. On the website, you can find this option at the top of the page. But if you’re watching it from a mobile app, look for this option at the bottom of the screen.
On a streaming device app, you’ll typically find the Live TV button on the left-hand side of the screen along with other menu options. It appears as a small TV icon with a “play” button at the center.
- Step 2: Choose the channel you want to watch and that will launch your live stream. For instance, you can select “CBS (Local Station)” to start watching live broadcasts from your local CBS channel.
Paramount+ live TV channels
With your Paramount+ subscription, you can watch live TV programming from 4 CBS channels. This gives you access to live games from major sporting events and news broadcasts as they happen. The Paramount+ live TV channels list includes:
- CBS (local station)
- CBSN
- CBS Sports HQ
- ET Live
What to watch on live TV
Paramount+ may only have 4 live channels, but these will let you watch some high-quality programming from the network. This includes live broadcasts of major sporting events and the latest breaking news, as well as some currently-airing CBS programs.
Live NFL events are the biggest highlight of the Paramount+ live TV offering. You can use your subscription to stream all the live CBS broadcasts of major NFL games. And the next time CBS has a turn at broadcasting the Super Bowl, you can use the subscription to stream the event as well.
Paramount+’s live sports offering isn’t just limited to football either, as it now lets you watch some major soccer games as well. If you’re a fan of soccer, you can use your subscription to watch matches from the National Women’s Soccer League, the UEFA Champion’s League, and the UEFA Europa League.
Additionally, the service will let you stream some exciting events from across popular sports categories. This includes the Davis Cup for tennis, NCAA tournaments and WNBA games for basketball, and PGA tour events for golf. So there’s a little bit of everything for almost every type of sports fan.
Paramount+ also gives you additional sports-related programming through CBS Sports HQ. This channel brings you the latest news, scores, and top highlights in sports through programs like HQ Midday News & Updates, HQ Morning Buzz, and HQ Postgame Highlights. And you can watch predictions and suggestions for your fantasy lineup from experts with Fantasy Football Today.
For the latest news from across the nation, tune into CBSN for programs like 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, CBS AM, CBS Evening News, and CBS News Specials. The channel also brings you some intriguing documentaries through CBSN Originals.
The service even lets you keep up with the latest entertainment and celebrity news through ET Live. This channel brings you a rundown of what’s happening in the entertainment industry with behind-the-scenes event coverage, celebrity interviews, parties, and premiers.
The final cut
When it comes to live TV, Paramount+ has excellent programming that could complement a bigger, more comprehensive streaming service. While the biggest highlight is its NFL broadcasts, it also has a few additional news and sports programs that could appeal to some viewers. So it doesn’t serve as a complete replacement for cable, but it could be a great additional service to have next to something like Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV.
Sign up Paramount+ and try it for free for 7 days today and see if it’s a good fit for you.