Are There Any Free Options to Watch CBS Live without Cable in 2024/25

CBS is one of your favorite US channels that you don't have to give up just because you cut the cord.

You can watch CBS live on TV for free or very little money with a TV antenna or a live TV streaming service.

With Paramount+, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, and YouTube TV, you can watch live CBS on Smart TVs and other streaming devices without having to sign up for cable. In 2024, you won't be able to get CBS on Sling.

Paramount+ with Showtime costs $11.99 a month and is the cheapest way to watch a live CBS stream.

How to watch CBS without cable for free

Overview - 4 Simple Ways to Watch CBS Live without Cable for Free

Are there any legal alternatives to cable TV? To watch CBS without cable for free in 2024, you can consider the following options:

1. Over-the-Air Antennas: For a one-time cost, an over-the-air (OTA) antenna can provide you with free access to local CBS broadcasts, depending on your location.

2. Streaming Services: Some streaming services may offer CBS in their lineup. While most of these services require a subscription, they often come with a free trial period. Services like Paramount+, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, and YouTube TV stream CBS live on Smart TVs and streaming devices.

3. CBS Website and Mobile Apps: If you have a provider login, you might be able to use the CBS website or mobile apps to watch CBS content.

4. Paramount+ with Showtime: This is a budget-friendly option that allows you to stream CBS live. The Essential plan of Paramount+ doesn’t include a local CBS feed and comes with limited commercials, but it does allow you to watch all NFL games on CBS, including Super Bowl LVIII. The service also offers a vast library of movies, live news, and full seasons of hit TV shows.

Note: Make sure to check these services to see if they offer CBS in your area, as coverage can vary. Also, keep an eye out for free trials that let you watch CBS shows without having to sign up for a subscription. Have fun with your stream!

Are there any legal alternatives to cable TV?

Absolutely, there are several legal alternatives to cable TV that can help you save money and still enjoy a wide range of content. Here are some options available in 2024/2025:

1. Live TV Streaming Services: These are the most popular alternatives to traditional cable TV:

   • Sling TV: Offers a variety of channel packages and is available on a large number of devices. It’s known for its lower price and customizable nature.
   • Hulu + Live TV: Provides a mix of live and on-demand content, with more than 70 channels of news, sports, and entertainment programming.
   • YouTube TV: Known for replacing cable with a wide selection of channels and features².
   • FuboTV: Great for sports fanatics, offering extensive sports coverage².
   • DIRECTV STREAM: Offers comprehensive regional sports network (RSN) coverage².

2. Free Services: Platforms like Peacock, YouTube, Pluto TV, and Freevee offer a variety of shows and movies at no cost.

3. Budget-Friendly Subscriptions: Services like Discovery+ and Paramount+ present affordable alternatives with offerings starting around $5 a month.

Note: These services usually have a variety of plans and prices, so you can pick the one that fits your budget and viewing habits the best. A lot of these services also offer free trials, so you can try them out before signing up for a full subscription. Make sure you check to see if these services are available in your area, as some may be limited by where you live.

How to Watch CBS Online Without Cable for Free

If you don't have cable, an HD antenna like this one from Amazon might let you watch CBS at home. Another way to watch CBS right away is through Paramount+, the channel's official streaming service. Not only will you be able to stream CBS shows, but also shows from Nickelodeon, MTV, Bet, Comedy Central, Showtime, and the Smithsonian Channel. If you already have a subscription, all you have to do to livestream is log in.

Have Paramount+ but not yet? It's free for new users for seven days after they sign up. After the free trial, you'll be charged based on the plan you pick when you check out.

You can pick between Paramount+ Essential and Paramount+ with Showtime. The Essential plan costs $5.99 a month and has ads. It is the cheapest option. You can watch tens of thousands of movies and TV shows, including original and exclusive content. You can also watch NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, and live news on CBS News 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For $11.99 a month, you can get Paramount+ with Showtime and skip the ads. This will give you access to Showtime's original and exclusive shows as well as your local CBS station, more live sports like The Masters and NWSL, and the option to download shows to watch on the go.

How to Watch CBS for Free in 2024 - 2025

How to Stream CBS Live Online Free

Below, KnowInsiders has compiled a list of other live TV streaming services that provide CBS and/or CBS Sports online without the need for cable, along with deals and promotions that allow users to access the channel for free or at a reduced cost:

1. DirecTV Stream

If you buy one of DirecTV Stream's four packages together, you can get one month of its Sports Pack for free. People who sign up for the first time will also get a free trial that lets them watch CBS Sports and other shows for five days. Only the Ultimate and Premiere packages come with CBS Sports. Plans start at $110 (regularly $135), and you can get more than 160 channels. Packages come with local channels, unlimited DVR storage, and the ability to stream on three devices at the same time.

The subscription price will be charged to you after the month is over, based on the package you chose when you checked out.

2. FuboTV

FuboTV is another cheap option that gives new users a free seven-day trial when they sign up. You can pick from four different packages, and all of them come with CBS and CBS Sports. After the free trial is over, you'll get more than 185 channels for $80. You'll be able to livestream channels and record up to 1,000 hours of TV. You can also stream on up to 10 devices at the same time.

If you choose the Elite or Premier package, you can get 4K quality and Paramount+ with Showtime for free (only with the Premier package).

3. Hulu + Live TV

Want to get the most for your money? With Hulu + Live TV, you can watch everything in the Hulu library, plus more than 90 live TV channels, such as CBS, so you can watch sports like the PGA, WNBA, and more at home.

Hulu + Live TV is giving away a rare free trial that lets you watch for free for three days if you don't already have a subscription. When the free trial is over, you'll be charged $77 a month for the subscription.

You can get even more content by bundling Hulu + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+. This way, you can watch sports games and shows that won't be shown on CBS.

4. Watch CBS Live on Paramount Plus - The cheapest solution for streaming CBS without cable

Paramount+ is the cheapest way to watch CBS shows without cable for people who only want to watch CBS shows. With the Essential plan, which starts at $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you can watch current CBS shows with some commercials. If you pay $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, you can get a plan without ads. You can get Premium with Showtime for $11.99 a month or $119.99 a year if you want Showtime.

• Plans start from $4.99/mo.

• Option to upgrade to an ad-free plan

• Get access to live CBS programming in most US markets

• 10,000+ episodes of CBS shows on-demand

• Exclusive access to Paramount+ originals

• Live Sports (NFL, NWSL, UEFA, and more)

• Try Paramount+ for free for 7 days

5. YouTube TV offers CBS with impressive features

YouTube TV has quickly become one of the best ways to stream live TV. It has a huge selection of channels and great features like unlimited cloud DVR storage. CBS is one of the channels that come with the service. That means you can stream live sports and other CBS shows with your subscription.

With a YouTube TV subscription, you can watch more than 100 channels in a wide range of categories. This includes ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, which are all very popular local networks. You also get all the top channels in other categories, such as CNN, Comedy Central, AMC, ESPN, NFL Network, Nickelodeon, and many more.

• Costs $72.99/mo. with no contract

• Offers unlimited cloud DVR storage and saves your recordings for 90 days

• Includes major cable channels and local networks

• Enhance the sports offering with the Sports Plus add-on

• Get premium channel add-ons to customize your package

• Sign up for YouTube TV

Can You Get CBS With Amazon Prime?

You can watch CBS shows and movies if you add Paramount+ as a paid channel to your Amazon Prime account. Since Paramount + is the official streaming and distribution platform for CBS, you'll be able to watch original and exclusive content in the Prime Video library. As long as you go to the Prime Channel storefront, you can try Paramount+ for free for seven days. Once your free trial is over, you'll be charged an extra $5.99 a month for being a Prime member.

Do not have a Prime account? Amazon is giving new users a 30-day free trial when they sign up. You can also get a free trial of Paramount+, which gives you all the benefits of a Prime membership plus the freedom to watch anything in the Paramount+ library for free.

Is CBS On Hulu?

A Hulu membership alone won't let you livestream CBS shows, but if you sign up for Hulu + Live TV, you can get live content. This includes NFL games, college sports, and popular reality shows like Big Brother and The Amazing Race. People who only have a Hulu membership can watch CBS shows and content the next day, but they usually can't watch big sports events.

IS CBS on Sling?

With Sling, you won't be able to get CBS. You can watch CBS for free, though, if you have an antenna. AntennaWeb can help you find out which affiliates are in your area. But read our review of Sling TV to learn more about what the service has to offer.

In Conclusion

Are you interested in discontinuing your cable subscription but still want access to CBS shows such as NCIS and live broadcasts of National Football League (NFL) games? Fortunately, you now have the ability to stream CBS live content without the need for a cable subscription.

Several live TV streaming services include CBS in their channel lineup, allowing you to access the network's latest programming.

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