Wanna catch all the epic Los Angeles drama, news, and maybe even a Lakers game on CBS? Well, you've come to the right spot, fam! Ditching the ancient ways (a.k.a. ridiculously expensive cable) to watch your local CBS station, KCBS-TV (Channel 2, but who's counting?), is easier than winning a staring contest with a houseplant. Seriously, it's a piece of cake!
We're going to break down the coolest, simplest, and most budget-friendly ways to get your CBS Los Angeles fix. Get ready to cut the cord and still be in the loop!
Step 1: The OG Free Way - The Rabbit Ears Vibe
This is the classic move, the OG of TV watching. We're talking about an Over-The-Air (OTA) antenna. It's like a time machine that brings back free, high-definition local channels, including KCBS-TV (virtual channel 2.1), right to your TV. No monthly fees, zero subscription shenanigans.
1.1. Get the Gear You need an antenna. Don't worry, it doesn't have to look like a giant metal squid anymore. You can get sleek, flat indoor antennas that stick right onto your window. Pro Tip: Check a website like the FCC's DTV reception map to see what kind of reception you can expect in your specific LA neighborhood. Mount Wilson is usually the place where the signals come from, so face that way if you can!
1.2. The Hook-Up Plug the antenna's cable (usually a coaxial cable) into the "Antenna In" or "RF In" port on the back of your TV. If you're using a fancy TV, it's probably right next to where you used to plug in the cable.
Tip: Avoid distractions — stay in the post.
1.3. Scan for Channels Grab your remote and navigate to the Settings or Setup menu. Look for something called Channel Scan, Auto Program, or Find Channels. Hit that button. Your TV will go on a little digital treasure hunt, and boom! Your local channels, including CBS Los Angeles (KCBS), should pop up. Keep in mind: You might need to move the antenna around for the best signal. Treat it like a moody cat—find the sweet spot and don't touch it.
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| How To Watch Cbs Los Angeles |
Step 2: The Streaming Superpowers - Log-In and Chill
If you're all about streaming and hate having extra stuff plugged into your TV, this is your zone. You have options, from "totally free, but mostly news" to "pay-to-play with all the shows."
2.1. The Free News Stream For the most up-to-the-minute local news from CBS Los Angeles, you can often stream their live, 24/7 news channel for free!
Download the CBS News app: It's available on almost every smart device (phone, tablet, Roku, Fire TV, etc.). Look for the local Los Angeles stream.
Check out KCAL News on YouTube: They often stream their local news coverage there, too. It's a freebie, folks!
2.2. The Paramount+ Play If you want to watch everything—like the major primetime shows, live NFL games, and even your local CBS station's broadcast live—Paramount+ is the platform. It used to be called CBS All Access, so it's basically the official home.
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
Sign up: You'll need a subscription, but it's way cheaper than cable. Make sure you choose a plan that includes your local live CBS station (usually the "Paramount+ with SHOWTIME" plan or similar premium tier).
Download the app: Install the Paramount+ app on your streaming device.
Log in and stream: Select the "Live TV" option, and your CBS Los Angeles feed should be right there, ready to rock!
2.3. The Live TV Bundle Crew If you're replacing cable completely and want many channels, not just CBS, then a Live TV Streaming Service is the move. These guys are the digital cable box. They cost more than just Paramount+, but less than most traditional cable packages.
Popular Options: Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV Stream usually carry the live CBS Los Angeles channel.
The Vibe Check: You need to confirm that CBS is available in the Los Angeles market on the service you choose before you sign up. Most offer a free trial, so you can do a little test run first. Smart move!
Step 3: Troubleshooting Time - When Things Go Sideways
Sometimes technology acts like a total grumpy gus. Here are a few quick fixes if your CBS Los Angeles viewing is getting weird.
3.1. The Antenna Dance If the signal is choppy or your screen is pixelating like a bad '90s video game, your antenna might be the issue. Try moving it: higher up, closer to a window, or rotating it a few degrees. A small change can make a massive difference. Seriously, it's like a secret antenna handshake.
3.2. App Log-In Refresh If you're using a streaming app and it's giving you the evil eye (like, not loading or saying you're not logged in), just log out and log back in. Sometimes, all a grumpy app needs is a fresh start. If that doesn't work, delete the app and reinstall it.
QuickTip: Read with curiosity — ask ‘why’ often.
3.3. Check Your Internet Speed Streaming requires decent Wi-Fi. If you're streaming in 4K while someone else is downloading an entire library of video games, things might get slow. Close all the background apps and make sure your internet speed is fast enough for the level of streaming quality you want.
FAQ Zone: Your Quick-Fire Questions Answered!
How to watch CBS Los Angeles for free? You can watch KCBS-TV for free using a simple Over-The-Air (OTA) antenna plugged into your TV. The CBS News app also offers a free, 24/7 local news stream.
How to find the channel number for CBS in LA? The virtual channel is 2.1 (KCBS-TV) when using an antenna or a cable/satellite provider.
How to stream CBS Los Angeles live on my phone? You can stream the live channel with a subscription to a service like Paramount+ (with the live TV tier) or a live TV bundle like YouTube TV.
QuickTip: Pause to connect ideas in your mind.
How to fix a bad antenna signal? Move the antenna higher up, closer to a window, or slightly rotate its position. Re-run the channel scan on your TV afterward.
How to watch the local CBS news without a subscription? Download the free CBS News app and look for the Los Angeles local news stream. KCAL News on YouTube often streams their news for free as well.
How to watch live NFL games on CBS Los Angeles? You can watch them live with an antenna, a cable/satellite subscription, or a live TV streaming service like Paramount+ (with the live local channel) or YouTube TV.
How to know which streaming services carry KCBS-TV? Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV Stream generally carry KCBS-TV in the LA market, but you should always confirm on their website by entering your ZIP code.
How to watch old CBS shows on demand? You can watch past seasons and episodes on the Paramount+ streaming service.
How to use a streaming stick (Roku/Fire TV) to watch CBS LA? Download the CBS News app or a subscription app like Paramount+ or YouTube TV onto your streaming stick, then log in.
How to save money while still watching CBS and other channels? Cut the cable cord and use an antenna for free local TV, then supplement with one or two cheaper streaming services like Paramount+ for the rest of your favorite shows.
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