How to Watch CBS on Roku for Free Guide

Understanding What You'll Need to Watch CBS on Roku

Before you start setting up CBS on your Roku device, it helps to understand what's actually required. The good news is that the barrier to entry is fairly low. You'll need three things: a Roku device (which could be a Roku streaming stick, Roku box, or a TV with Roku built in), an internet connection with reasonable speed, and a Roku account. That's it for the basic setup.

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The internet speed requirement matters more than you might think. CBS streams in standard definition at around 2.5 megabits per second, but if you want to watch in higher quality when available, you should aim for at least 5-10 megabits per second. If you're in a household with multiple people streaming at once, having more bandwidth prevents the constant buffering that ruins the viewing experience. You can check your internet speed using free tools like Speedtest.net.

Your Roku account is separate from a CBS account, though you may eventually need both. The Roku account is what ties your device to the Roku ecosystem and allows you to access the channel store. Creating a Roku account takes about five minutes and requires an email address and password. This account doesn't cost anything and isn't a subscription—it's simply the login system that Roku uses to identify your device and personalize your experience.

One thing people often wonder about: does your TV need to be a "smart TV"? Not necessarily. You can use a Roku streaming stick with an older television as long as it has an HDMI port. Roku sticks cost between $25 and $50 depending on the model, and they've been around long enough that most retailers carry them. This makes Roku an option for people who don't want to buy a new television.

Takeaway: Have your internet connection speed in mind, and know whether you have a Roku device or will need to get one before starting. Neither the device nor the Roku account costs money to set up, though the device itself requires a one-time purchase if you don't already own one.

The CBS App and What It Actually Offers for Free

CBS makes its content available through the CBS app on Roku, and understanding what's free versus what requires a paid subscription matters before you start. The CBS app offers what's called "ad-supported" free viewing. This means you can watch certain CBS content without paying a subscription, but you'll see commercials. Think of it like watching CBS on a regular television antenna—the model is similar, except you're streaming instead of using an over-the-air signal.

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The free tier of the CBS app gives you access to recent episodes of CBS shows, clips, and news content. You can typically find the latest episodes of shows that aired within the last few days or weeks, depending on the program. CBS News content is available in the free tier, which includes live news feeds and on-demand news segments. However, the complete back catalog of full seasons—especially older ones—usually requires a CBS subscription service called Paramount+.

How many ads will you see? On the free tier, expect roughly 8-12 minutes of commercials per hour of content, which is comparable to what you'd see on broadcast television. These ads play both before the content starts and during breaks throughout the episode. The ads reset each time you start a new episode or show. Different people have different tolerances for this, but it's important to know upfront rather than being surprised.

One practical detail: not every CBS show streams in the free tier. Newer or more popular shows tend to have content available for free, but some programming may only be available through Paramount+ (the paid subscription service). You won't know for certain which shows are free until you search for them in the app. The app typically shows a note if something requires a subscription.

Paramount+ is the paid tier and costs around $5.99 per month with ads or $11.99 per month without ads (as of 2024, though prices can change). If you only want to watch CBS and not the full Paramount+ catalog, the ad-supported tier is the most budget-friendly option if you choose to pay.

Takeaway: The CBS app's free tier includes recent episodes and news with commercials. Older seasons and some new releases require Paramount+. Check the specific show you want before assuming it's free.

Step-by-Step: Getting the CBS App on Your Roku Device

Installing the CBS app on Roku involves navigating Roku's channel store and selecting "Add Channel." Here's how this actually works in practice. First, make sure your Roku is turned on and connected to the internet. From your Roku home screen, look for a section that says "Streaming Channels," "Search Channels," or something similar—the exact name depends on your Roku model and software version. Select this option.

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Once you're in the channel store, you'll see a search function. Type "CBS" into the search bar. The official CBS app should appear in the results. You'll recognize it by the CBS eye logo and the fact that it says "CBS" as the main title. There may be other apps with similar names, so look for the one that clearly says it's from CBS. Select the CBS app listing.

On the app's information page, you'll see a button that says "Add Channel" or sometimes "Install." Click this button. The app will begin installing on your Roku device. This process usually takes 30 seconds to a few minutes depending on your internet speed and how busy Roku's servers are. You'll see a progress indicator or notification when it's complete.

Once installation finishes, the button will change to say "Go to Channel" or "Open." You can select this to launch the CBS app immediately, or you can skip it and find the CBS app later on your Roku home screen. The CBS app will now appear in your list of installed channels, and you can return to it anytime.

A practical note about storage: Roku devices have limited storage space, but the CBS app isn't huge. It typically uses 15-30 megabytes of storage, so you won't run into problems unless you've installed dozens of apps. If you ever want to remove the CBS app, you can go to your channel list, select the CBS app, and choose "Remove Channel." This doesn't affect your Roku account or any other apps.

Takeaway: Search for CBS in the Roku channel store, select the official CBS app by the eye logo, and click "Add Channel." Installation takes a few minutes, and the app will then appear on your home screen whenever you want to use it.

Signing In and Watching Your First Show

After the CBS app installs, you'll need to open it and sign in to your account before you can start watching. When you first launch the CBS app, it will likely ask you to create an account or sign in. You'll need an email address and a password for this CBS account (different from your Roku account). Creating a new CBS account takes about five minutes and doesn't require a credit card if you're only using the free tier.

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Here's what happens when you open the app fresh: you'll see the CBS logo and a prompt to sign in or create an account. Select whichever applies to you. If you're creating a new account, you'll enter your email address, create a password, and provide your birth date (CBS requires this for all accounts). You may also see an option to sign in using an existing account if you've used CBS.com before—this can be faster than creating a new account from scratch.

Once you're signed in, the main screen shows you featured shows and recent episodes. The layout changes periodically, but you'll typically see shows organized by category. You can browse by scrolling through the featured content, or you can use the search function to find a specific show. Search works just like it does on other apps—type the name and see what comes up.

When you select a show, you'll see available episodes. Click on an episode to start watching. The episode will begin, and you'll see an advertisement before it starts. Once the ad plays, the episode begins, and you can pause, rewind, and fast-forward just like you would with any streaming app. When an episode ends, the app automatically offers the next episode or similar shows you might want to watch.

One thing to be aware of: sometimes the app asks you to "sign in" again even after you've already signed in. This occasionally happens after the app updates or if you haven't used it in a