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Which live TV streaming service is best for watching CBS?

Which live TV streaming service is best for watching CBS?

CBS offers an incredible selection of live sports, news, and other programming.

CBS has some of the most diverse programming of any major broadcast channel. It offers live sports like regular season and playoff NFL games, a wide selection of contests from the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, college football, and much more, as well as live news, primetime favorites like “George & Mandy's First Marriage,” and a vast array of other programming.

You might think the only way to watch CBS is with a cable subscription, but that simply isn’t true! CBS is available through several live TV streaming services, and we’ll let you know which one is best for watching the channel with no cable subscription required.

What’s the best live TV streaming service for watching CBS?

How to stream CBS

In total, there are four services available that allow you to stream CBS without cable: DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. Each of them has their own strengths and weaknesses. We’ll break down the things they do well, and areas where each could improve below to help you make a choice between them

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo Sling TV YouTube
Free Trial Free Trial Free 3-Day Trial Free Trial Get 50% OFF Sign Up
$86.99 $94.99 $82.99 $28 $45.99 $45.99 $82.99
CBS - - -

Best for watching CBS without cable choice: DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM is our favorite service for watching CBS without a cable subscription. This service delivers CBS and other local channels in a huge number of American media markets, along with 31 of The Streamable’s top 35 cable channels. It comes with unlimited Cloud DVR, and best yet you’ll get CBS’s companion streaming service Paramount+ with SHOWTIME free for three months when you subscribe if you so choose. DIRECTV STREAM also comes with a five-day free trial for all new subscribers.

Best alternative for watching CBS with tons of sports: Fubo

Fubo carries a wide range of live sports channels, such as ESPN, FS1, beIN Sports, and more, as well as local broadcast networks. Plans start at $80 per month if you don’t need regional sports networks, but if you do, you can pay an extra $15 per month to get them! The amount of choice available with Fubo makes it an excellent choice for streaming CBS and other top sports programming.

Great choice for watching CBS if you love streaming: Hulu + Live TV

If you want to combine on-demand streaming with live cable channels, Hulu + Live TV is definitely your best choice for watching CBS without cable. You’ll get the channel nearly everywhere with Hulu + Live TV, and at $83 per month customers can also get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ included at no extra cost. Hulu + Live TV comes with a three-day free trial, and more than 90 cable channels in total.

Last pick for watching CBS without cable: YouTube TV

YouTube TV is still a good option for watching CBS without a cable subscription. It carries the channel in most places in the United States and has a good balance of sports, entertainment, and news networks. Its free trial is inconsistent, however, varying in length depending on what time of the month you subscribe. It also doesn’t bundle any free streaming services in its $83-per-month plan.


David covers the biggest news stories, live events, premieres, and informational pieces for The Streamable. Before joining TS, he wrote extensively for Screen Rant and has years of experience writing about the entertainment and streaming industries. He's a Broncos fan, streams on his Toshiba Fire TV, and his favorites include "Andor," "Rings of Power," and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."

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Sling TV Cash Back

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Hulu Live TV Cash Back

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You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.