You're sitting on the couch, the Chiefs are about to kick off, and you realize you have no idea where the CBS game actually is. It’s annoying. You’ve got the remote in your hand, scrolling through hundreds of channels, and everything looks the same. Or maybe you just moved to Overland Park or Liberty and your old channel numbers don't mean anything here.
Basically, if you are looking for what channel is CBS on in Kansas City, the answer is almost always Channel 5.
That’s KCTV5. It’s been the staple for CBS programming in the metro area since the mid-1950s. But "Channel 5" is a bit of a simplification once you start talking about Spectrum, Google Fiber, or satellite dishes. Depending on how you get your TV, that "5" might actually be "1005" or "3."
KCTV5: The Kansas City CBS Home
KCTV5 is the heavy hitter here. They’ve been around forever—literally since 1953. Back then, they were KCMO-TV, but they swapped to the KCTV call letters in the 80s. Today, it’s owned by Gray Television.
If you’re using an old-school antenna (the "rabbit ears" or a modern digital one), you just tune to 5.1. That’s the high-definition primary feed. The signal comes from that massive, iconic red-and-white tower you see in the Union Hill neighborhood, right near the Liberty Memorial. It’s one of the tallest structures in the city, so the reception is usually pretty solid across the metro.
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Finding CBS on Cable and Satellite
Now, if you aren't using an antenna, things get a little more specific. Cable companies love to move things around. Honestly, it's a mess sometimes. Here is the breakdown for the major providers in the KC area as of 2026:
- Spectrum: Usually, you'll find the standard definition on Channel 3 or 5, but for the crystal-clear HD feed, you're looking for Channel 1209.
- Xfinity (Comcast): Look for it on Channel 3 or Channel 803 for HD.
- Google Fiber: It's almost always right on Channel 5. Google keeps it simple.
- DirecTV: Local channels usually match their broadcast numbers, so it’s Channel 5.
- Dish Network: Same deal here, look for Channel 5.
- Consolidated Communications: You’ll find it on Channel 3, with the HD version up on 620.
One thing to watch out for: if you live way out on the fringes—like if you're closer to St. Joseph or Topeka—your "local" CBS might actually be different. In Topeka, CBS is WIBW on Channel 13. In St. Joseph, it’s KCJO on Channel 30. If your TV starts showing Topeka weather, you've probably wandered into another market's signal.
Why what channel is CBS on in Kansas City matters for Sports
Let’s be real. Most people asking this question are trying to find the Chiefs game. Since CBS carries the AFC, KCTV5 is basically the unofficial home of the Kansas City Chiefs during the regular season.
Because of that, KCTV5 does a lot of local pre-game coverage that you won't find on the national CBS feed. They also partner with the Kansas City Monarchs. Just recently, they extended a deal to keep Monarchs baseball games on their sister station, KSMO Channel 62, but KCTV5 handles a lot of the promotion and digital streaming through their app.
If there’s a massive storm blowing through "Tornado Alley," KCTV5 is also where you’re going to see the split-screen radar. They take weather seriously in the Midwest.
Streaming CBS Without a Cable Box
You don't actually need a cable subscription to get CBS anymore. It's 2026; we have options.
Paramount+ is the big one. If you get the "Paramount+ with SHOWTIME" plan, it includes a live stream of your local CBS affiliate. So, you’d be watching the KCTV5 news and the local ads, just through your internet connection.
There are also the "skinny bundles":
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- YouTube TV: Includes KCTV5 in the local lineup.
- Hulu + Live TV: Also carries it.
- FuboTV: Great for sports fans, and yes, it has CBS.
- DirecTV Stream: If you want the satellite experience without the actual dish, this works too.
A weird quirk you might run into: blackouts. They don't happen often with local broadcast stations like CBS, but every few years, a contract dispute between Gray Television and a provider (like Dish or Spectrum) might lead to the channel being temporarily removed. If that happens, the antenna is your best friend. It’s a one-time $30 purchase and nobody can "black out" a signal coming through the air to your house.
What’s on the Subchannels?
When you tune to Channel 5 with an antenna, you aren't just getting CBS. Digital broadcasting allows KCTV to "split" their signal into multiple subchannels. It’s like getting five channels for the price of one.
- 5.1: CBS (KCTV-HD)
- 5.2: The365 (focuses on Black cinema and culture)
- 5.3: Start TV (lots of procedurals with female leads, like The Good Wife)
- 5.4: Quest (adventure and nature documentaries)
- 5.5: Outlaw (classic westerns)
There’s also KSMO Channel 62. KCTV and KSMO are sister stations. If a huge news event or a long-running sporting event bumps a scheduled show, it sometimes gets moved over to 62.1.
Local Legends and Changes
If you’ve lived in KC for a long time, you probably remember Carolyn Long. She was a staple on KCTV5 for nearly 30 years. She recently stepped away in 2025, which was a huge shift for the local evening news vibe. The station has been going through a bit of a transition period with their anchor desk, but they still lean heavily on their "Live Power Doppler" branding to keep people tuned in during the spring.
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Actionable Tips for Better Reception
If you're trying to get CBS over the air and the picture is freezing or "pixelating," there are a few things you can do right now.
First, check your orientation. KCTV5’s tower is located at 31st and Grand in KCMO. If you are in the suburbs, point your antenna toward the city center.
Second, avoid putting your antenna right next to a giant metal object or inside a basement. Higher is always better. If you’re in a brick house, the signal might struggle to get through the walls, so a window-mounted antenna is usually the sweet spot.
Finally, do a "rescan" on your TV. Broadcasters occasionally tweak their digital frequencies. If you haven't rescanned your digital tuner in the last six months, you might be missing out on some of those newer subchannels or even a stronger primary signal.
To get started, check your current cable or streaming bill to see if you're paying for a "Broadcast TV Surcharge." If that fee is over $20, it might be time to buy a cheap indoor antenna, plug it into the "Antenna In" port on your TV, and see if you can pull in Channel 5.1 for free. You’ll save a significant amount of money every month just by switching your CBS viewing to over-the-air.