CBS has long been a primary broadcaster for American football, offering fans the opportunity to watch their favorite teams in action through NFL games, college football, and other sports coverage. With the digital age expanding access to content across various platforms, knowing exactly where and how to watch CBS football is crucial for fans who don’t want to miss a minute of the action. In this article, we will explore the numerous options available for watching CBS football, including traditional cable, streaming platforms, mobile apps, and over-the-air broadcasts.
See Also: What is FCB Football?
The Role of CBS in Broadcasting Football
CBS has been a significant player in football broadcasting for decades. The network holds the rights to NFL games, including Sunday afternoon matchups, and also broadcasts college football games and other major sports events. As one of the major networks in the United States, CBS offers its content through various channels, including its traditional broadcast network, online platforms, and streaming services.
CBS and NFL Partnership
The National Football League (NFL) and CBS have had a long-standing partnership, with CBS broadcasting AFC (American Football Conference) games since the inception of the league. This partnership has been integral in making CBS a go-to network for NFL fans. Every Sunday during the NFL season, CBS broadcasts multiple games, typically featuring matchups from the AFC.
CBS also broadcasts key postseason games, including AFC Wild Card and Divisional Playoff games, and alternates hosting the Super Bowl with other networks, making it one of the premier destinations for football fans.
CBS College Football Coverage
CBS’s college football coverage includes high-profile games from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), one of the most prestigious conferences in college football. SEC matchups are a staple of CBS Sports programming, drawing millions of viewers every week. The network’s exclusive SEC Game of the Week is one of the most-watched college football broadcasts.
Watching CBS Football Through Traditional Cable
For many years, cable television has been the primary way people watched CBS football. This method is still widely available, though other options have emerged with the rise of digital and streaming platforms.
Local CBS Affiliates
CBS broadcasts NFL and college football games through local affiliates, which are available on most cable and satellite TV packages. If you subscribe to a traditional cable service such as Comcast, Spectrum, or DirecTV, you can watch CBS football by tuning in to your local CBS affiliate. Cable subscribers typically do not need to do anything special beyond ensuring that their package includes CBS.
CBS Sports Network
In addition to its primary network, CBS also operates CBS Sports Network, which provides additional sports coverage, including football-related programming. While CBS Sports Network does not typically air NFL games, it provides in-depth analysis, highlights, and commentary on football, as well as college football games that are not aired on the main CBS network.
Subscribers to cable and satellite packages that include CBS Sports Network can enjoy this additional content, providing more comprehensive coverage of their favorite football teams and matchups.
CBS All Access (Now Paramount+)
Another option that traditional cable viewers might explore is CBS’s streaming service, CBS All Access, which has been rebranded as Paramount+. This service offers live streams of CBS football games as well as on-demand content from the CBS Sports Network and other CBS programming.
Subscribers to Paramount+ can access live CBS broadcasts, including NFL and college football games, through the service, making it a versatile option for fans who prefer to watch on a streaming platform without giving up traditional cable access.
Streaming CBS Football Online
As more people cut the cord and move away from traditional cable subscriptions, streaming services have become an increasingly popular way to watch CBS football. CBS has embraced this trend, making its content available through various streaming platforms and its own dedicated service, Paramount+.
Paramount+ Streaming Service
Paramount+ is the official streaming service for CBS content, including NFL and college football games. Subscribers to Paramount+ can stream live CBS broadcasts, which include Sunday afternoon NFL games, SEC college football, and postseason football content. In addition to live streaming, Paramount+ offers on-demand replays of games, allowing fans to catch up on any action they may have missed.
Subscription Plans: Paramount+ offers multiple subscription plans, including a basic plan with ads and a premium plan without ads. Both plans offer live streaming of CBS football games, though the premium plan includes additional features like downloadable content and access to exclusive programming.
Supported Devices: Paramount+ can be streamed on a variety of devices, including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles. This makes it a flexible option for fans who want to watch football on the go or from the comfort of their living room.
Availability: One of the advantages of Paramount+ is that it is available nationwide, meaning fans can access CBS football content no matter where they live, provided they have an internet connection.
Streaming on CBS Sports App
The CBS Sports App is another way to stream live football games on CBS. The app provides live streaming of NFL games, college football, and other CBS Sports programming, making it a valuable tool for football fans who want to watch games on their mobile devices.
Live Streaming: The CBS Sports App offers live streams of games, including NFL matchups and college football broadcasts. Fans can watch their favorite teams play in real-time without needing a traditional cable subscription.
Additional Features: In addition to live streaming, the CBS Sports App includes a variety of features such as game highlights, live stats, and expert analysis. Fans can also receive notifications about upcoming games and scores, keeping them up to date on the latest football action.
Device Compatibility: The CBS Sports App is compatible with most mobile devices, including iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. It is also available on streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV.
Streaming Services Offering CBS
Several third-party streaming services also offer CBS as part of their channel lineup, allowing subscribers to stream CBS football games without needing a cable subscription. These services include:
YouTube TV: YouTube TV includes CBS as part of its channel lineup, allowing subscribers to stream live NFL and college football games. In addition to CBS, YouTube TV offers access to other sports channels, making it a comprehensive option for sports fans.
Hulu + Live TV: Hulu’s live TV service also includes CBS, enabling subscribers to watch live football games through the platform. Hulu + Live TV offers access to both live broadcasts and on-demand content, making it a versatile option for fans.
FuboTV: FuboTV is a streaming service that focuses primarily on sports, and it includes CBS in its channel lineup. Subscribers to FuboTV can stream live NFL and college football games, as well as other sports programming.
Sling TV (with Locast integration): Sling TV, through partnerships with local streaming services like Locast, provides access to CBS broadcasts in certain markets. This allows subscribers to watch CBS football games as part of their Sling TV package.
Over-the-Air Broadcasting
For fans who prefer a more traditional viewing experience without the need for cable or streaming subscriptions, over-the-air (OTA) broadcasting is an excellent option. CBS is a free-to-air network, meaning it can be accessed using a digital antenna in many regions.
Watching CBS Football with an Antenna
By using a digital antenna, fans can watch CBS football games for free. OTA broadcasting provides high-definition quality without any subscription fees, making it a cost-effective option for those who want to watch NFL and college football on CBS.
Setting Up an Antenna: To watch CBS football via OTA broadcasting, you will need a digital antenna and a television capable of receiving digital signals. Most modern TVs are equipped with digital tuners, making the setup process simple.
Availability: The availability of CBS through OTA broadcasting depends on your location and proximity to a CBS affiliate station. In most urban and suburban areas, CBS can be received with a standard digital antenna, but fans in rural areas may need a more powerful antenna to receive the signal.
Advantages of OTA Broadcasting
One of the primary advantages of OTA broadcasting is that it offers high-definition quality without the need for an internet connection. This makes it a reliable option for fans who live in areas with limited broadband access or prefer a more traditional viewing experience.
Additionally, OTA broadcasting is free, making it an attractive option for fans who do not want to pay for cable or streaming subscriptions.
Conclusion
Watching CBS football has never been more accessible, thanks to the variety of viewing options available. Whether you prefer traditional cable, streaming services like Paramount+, mobile apps, or over-the-air broadcasting, there are numerous ways to catch live NFL and college football games on CBS.
With the rise of streaming platforms and the continued availability of OTA broadcasts, fans have more flexibility than ever before in choosing how and where they watch CBS football. By understanding the different options and selecting the one that best fits your needs, you can ensure that you never miss a moment of the action, whether it’s a crucial NFL playoff game or a thrilling SEC college football showdown.
No matter where you are or what type of device you use, CBS football is just a click or antenna setup away, ensuring fans remain connected to the game they love.
