You're sitting on the couch, the game is about to start, and you realize you have absolutely no idea what number is CBS on this TV. It’s frustrating. Honestly, it feels like every time you travel to a different city or switch cable providers, the "Eye" network plays a game of hide and seek.
One house has it on channel 2. Your cousin’s place has it on 704. If you're using a satellite dish, it might be something else entirely.
There is a reason for this madness. Unlike national cable networks like ESPN or HGTV, CBS is a broadcast network. This means it relies on local affiliates. Your local station—like WCBS in New York or KCBS in Los Angeles—owns a specific slice of the airwaves, and your cable company just passes that number along. Basically, the number you see is tied to where you live and who sends the bill for your internet.
What Number Is CBS on Major Satellite and Cable Providers?
If you are using a national provider like DIRECTV or DISH, the numbers are a bit more standardized, but there are still some local quirks.
For DIRECTV users, CBS is almost always found on the low numbers. Think channel 2, 4, or 5. If you are looking for the CBS Sports Network, that’s a different beast—you’ll usually find that on channel 221 nationwide.
DISH Network handles things slightly differently. They typically map your local CBS affiliate to its traditional "over-the-air" number. If you live in a city where CBS is channel 4, it'll be channel 4 on your DISH guide. However, if you're hunting for CBS Sports Network on DISH, head over to channel 158.
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Cable providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox are where things get messy. Because these companies grew by buying up smaller local cable systems, their channel lineups are a patchwork quilt.
- Xfinity (Comcast): You’ll usually find the SD version of CBS between channels 2 and 13. The HD version is often up in the 800s or 1000s (like 1003 or 1004).
- Spectrum: It’s all over the place. In some markets, it’s channel 5; in others, it’s channel 1205.
- Cox: Similar to Xfinity, look for the single or double-digit numbers first.
Finding Your Local CBS Affiliate
Since the channel depends on your geography, the "real" number is the one assigned to the station in your closest big city.
In New York City, it’s Channel 2 (WCBS).
Chicago? Channel 2 (WBBM).
In Los Angeles, it’s Channel 2 (KCBS).
Boston? Channel 4 (WBZ).
Dallas? Channel 11 (KTVT).
If you’re in a smaller market, it could be anything. In El Paso, it’s channel 4. In San Diego, it’s channel 8. The easiest way to find out for sure is to use the FCC’s DTV Reception Map or just check the "Local" section of your provider's digital guide.
The "HD" Confusion: Why Your Guide Has Two CBS Channels
Have you ever noticed that you have two CBS entries? One looks grainy and square; the other looks crisp and wide. This is a leftover from the digital transition years ago.
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Most cable companies kept the old "Standard Definition" (SD) channel in its original spot (like channel 4) to avoid confusing older customers. Then, they added a "High Definition" (HD) version way up in the triple or quadruple digits.
If you want the best picture for a football game or a high-budget drama, you definitely don't want the low-number channel unless your cable box automatically "upconverts" it. You’ll want to scroll up to those 1000-series numbers.
What About Streaming?
If you've cut the cord, "what number is CBS" becomes a trick question. On services like Paramount+, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV, there are no numbers. You just click the CBS logo.
Paramount+ is the "official" home of CBS. If you have the Premium tier (formerly the Showtime tier), you get a live stream of your local CBS affiliate. No channel numbers required. You just open the app, go to "Live TV," and there it is.
YouTube TV and FuboTV also carry local CBS stations in almost every US market. They organize their guides alphabetically or by "most watched," so CBS is usually right at the top of the list.
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How to Get CBS for Free (No Provider Needed)
Kinda forgot about antennas? You shouldn't.
If you don't want to pay a monthly fee just to see the news or the Super Bowl, a $20 digital antenna from a big-box store is your best friend. Since CBS is a broadcast network, they beam their signal through the air for free.
You plug the antenna into the back of your TV, run a "Channel Scan" in the settings, and your TV will find CBS. The best part? The picture quality of an over-the-air (OTA) signal is actually better than cable. Cable companies compress the video to save space; the airwaves give you the raw, uncompressed HD goodness.
Pro-Tips for Navigating Your Channel Guide
- Use the Voice Remote: If you have Xfinity (X1) or DISH (Hopper), just hold the microphone button and say "CBS." It’s 2026; you shouldn't have to scroll through 900 channels of shopping networks and static.
- Favorite Your Channels: Once you find it, mark it as a "Favorite" in your guide settings. This filters out all the fluff so you only see the 10 or 15 channels you actually watch.
- Check the Website: If you’re really stuck, every major provider (Spectrum, Cox, Frontier) has a "Channel Lineup" tool on their website where you can type in your zip code.
Finding your station shouldn't be a chore. Whether you're looking for the local news or the latest procedural drama, the answer to what number is CBS is usually hiding in the first ten channels of your guide or accessible with a quick voice command.
To get the exact number for your specific house right now, pull up your provider's mobile app or use the FCC's signal locator tool. If you're tired of the cable hunt entirely, switching to a streaming service or a digital antenna will eliminate the need for channel numbers once and for all.