It happens at the worst possible moment. Sunday night. The NFL is about to kick off. You pick up your remote, go to flip to CBS, and you can’t remember the channel number. Or worse — you’re new to DIRECTV and nobody told you there isn’t one simple answer.
Here’s the thing most guides skip over. CBS on DIRECTV is not like ESPN or CNN. Those channels have one number everywhere in the country. CBS is different. And once you understand why, finding it becomes simple every single time.
Let me walk you through all of it.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Answer |
| National CBS channel (East) | Channel 390 |
| National CBS channel (West) | Channel 391 |
| CBS Sports Network | Channel 221 (fixed nationwide) |
| CBS News | Channel 247 (fixed nationwide) |
| Local affiliate channel | Varies by city and ZIP code |
| Is CBS free with DIRECTV? | Yes — included in all packages |
| Who owns CBS now? | Paramount Skydance Corp (since August 2025) |
| How to find your local CBS | Press Guide → search “CBS” or your ZIP on directv.com |
| What if CBS is missing? | Try 390 or 391 as backup; check directv.com/tvpromise |
| CBS Sports on all plans? | No — ULTIMATE and PREMIER include it; others need Sports Pack |
Why CBS Doesn’t Have One Simple Channel Number
Okay, picture this. You have a friend in New York. Another friend in Dallas. Both of them have DIRECTV. Both of them love CBS. But when you ask each of them “What channel is CBS?”, they’ll give you completely different numbers.
Your New York friend says channel 2. Your Dallas friend says channel 11. They’re both right.
CBS is not a cable channel. It’s a broadcast network. That means it doesn’t beam one single signal to every subscriber across the country. Instead, CBS works through roughly 200 local affiliate stations spread across every state. Each city has its own CBS station with its own identity, its own local news team, and its own channel number.
DIRECTV picks up each of those local stations and delivers them to subscribers in the right area. So the channel number you see for CBS depends entirely on which city you live in.
This is actually a good thing. It means you get local weather, local news, and locally relevant advertising — not just national content.
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The Two National CBS Channels That Work Everywhere
Now here’s the backup system that very few people know about.
DIRECTV carries two national CBS feeds. These are not local stations. They are coast-to-coast signals that any DIRECTV subscriber can reach, no matter where they live.
- Channel 390 — CBS East. This runs on East Coast time. The programming schedule matches New York.
- Channel 391 — CBS West. This runs on West Coast time. The programming schedule matches Los Angeles.
If you’re watching a CBS show at 8pm Eastern, channel 390 will show it at 8pm. Channel 391 will show the same show at 8pm Pacific — which is actually 11pm Eastern.
These two channels are particularly helpful if you’ve recently moved and haven’t yet found out your new local channel number, or if your local CBS station is momentarily unavailable. Just punch in 390 or 391 and you’re watching CBS.
CBS Channel Numbers in Major U.S. Cities on DIRECTV
Your city has its own CBS affiliate station. Below are the confirmed channel numbers for major markets.
| City | CBS Station | DIRECTV Channel |
| New York, NY | WCBS | 2 |
| Los Angeles, CA | KCBS | 2 |
| Chicago, IL | WBBM | 2 |
| Philadelphia, PA | KYW | 3 |
| Dallas, TX | KTVT | 11 |
| San Francisco, CA | KPIX | 5 |
| Houston, TX | KHOU | 11 |
| Boston, MA | WBZ | 4 |
| Atlanta, GA | WGCL | 46 |
| Miami, FL | WFOR | 4 |
| Seattle, WA | KIRO | 7 |
| Denver, CO | KCNC | 4 |
| Phoenix, AZ | KPHO | 5 |
| Minneapolis, MN | WCCO | 4 |
| Detroit, MI | WWJ | 62 |
Your city is not here? No worries. On your DIRECTV remote, press the Guide button. Type “CBS” in the search bar. Your local station will appear right away with its exact channel number.
You can also go to directv.com, enter your ZIP code, and see your complete local channel lineup in about thirty seconds.
CBS Sports Network — Channel 221
CBS Sports Network is a completely separate channel from your regular local CBS station. It is not the same thing at all.
While your local CBS airs primetime dramas, local news, and NFL games on weekends, CBS Sports Network is dedicated 24/7 to sports coverage. College basketball. College football. Boxing. Soccer analysis. Sports talk shows. The overnight and weekend sports content that doesn’t fit on the main channel.
On DIRECTV, CBS Sports Network lives at channel 221 across the entire country. New York. Phoenix. Rural Montana. The number never changes. It’s always 221.
But here’s something important to check before you try to tune in. CBS Sports Network is not automatically included in every DIRECTV package.
- ENTERTAINMENT plan — Does NOT include CBS Sports Network
- CHOICE plan — Does NOT include CBS Sports Network
- ULTIMATE plan — Includes CBS Sports Network
- PREMIER plan — Includes CBS Sports Network
If you’re on a lower-tier plan and want channel 221, you can add the Sports Pack as an add-on. Call DIRECTV or check your account online to see what’s included in your current package.
CBS News — Channel 247
CBS News is something else entirely. It’s the 24-hour news channel from CBS, running around the clock with breaking news, investigative stories, political coverage, and original CBS News reporting.
This is not your local 6pm news. It’s not a rerun of 60 Minutes. It’s a dedicated live news operation that runs continuously — mornings, afternoons, overnight.
On DIRECTV, CBS News is fixed at channel 247 nationwide. Like CBS Sports Network, this number doesn’t change by city. There’s no need to search it up. Just go to 247.
Every DIRECTV Package Includes Local CBS
Here is the one thing you should feel confident about. Every single DIRECTV package comes with your local CBS affiliate. You don’t need to be on a premium plan to watch NCIS, 60 Minutes, NFL games, or Survivor.
Here’s a quick look at the packages as of early 2026:
- ENTERTAINMENT — Starting around $89.99/month — 165+ channels — local CBS included
- CHOICE — Starting around $114.99/month — 185+ channels — local CBS included
- ULTIMATE — Starting around $134.99/month — 250+ channels — CBS Sports Network added
- PREMIER — Starting around $169.99/month — 330+ channels — everything included
Pricing changes over time. Always check directv.com for the most current rates.
The key point is that local CBS is a baseline feature. It’s there from the moment you sign up.
DIRECTV Stream Also Has CBS
DIRECTV isn’t just the satellite dish on your roof anymore. There’s also DIRECTV Stream — the internet-based version that works through an app on your TV, phone, or streaming device. No dish required. No technician visit.
The good news is that CBS is available through DIRECTV Stream too. Local CBS affiliates are included in the streaming packages, just like the satellite plans. The channel lineup is nearly identical.
If you’re renting an apartment where you can’t put up a dish, or if you travel often and want to watch CBS on a laptop or tablet — DIRECTV Stream handles all of that.
What’s Actually on CBS? The 2026 Lineup
Knowing the channel is one thing. Knowing what to watch is another.
CBS has been America’s most-watched broadcast network for years running. The 2025-2026 season kept that tradition going strong.
Drama nights on Tuesday. Three NCIS shows run back to back — NCIS at 8pm, NCIS: Origins at 9pm, and NCIS: Sydney at 10pm. That’s three hours of one of the most popular TV franchises on earth, all in one night.
Wednesdays belong to reality TV. The Amazing Race comes after Survivor at 8 p.m. These two shows have outlasted dozens of competitors and still pull massive audiences.
Thursday nights go cozy. Elsbeth, Matlock, Ghosts, and Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage occupy the evening. It’s the night for people who like their TV warm and clever.
Fridays are action-packed. Sheriff Country, Fire Country, and Boston Blue fill three consecutive hours. Three different crime and action dramas, all from the same producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
Sundays open with 60 Minutes. One of the longest-running shows in American television history. It still airs at 7pm every Sunday and still breaks stories that matter.
And then there’s the NFL. CBS carries some of the biggest NFL games of the year. Sunday afternoon AFC games. The AFC Championship. Playoff rounds. If you’re a football fan, CBS is a channel you need.
Beyond the regular schedule, CBS also airs massive annual events. The Grammy Awards. March Madness. The Super Bowl in rotation. These are watched by tens of millions of people at the same time.
How to Find CBS on Your DIRECTV Remote Right Now
Forget trying to memorize a number. Here are the fastest ways to pull up CBS on any DIRECTV system.
Method 1 — Search the Guide: Press the Guide button on your remote. Use the keyboard to type “CBS.” Your local affiliate will appear with its exact channel number. Select it and you’re done.
Method 2 — Type your affiliate’s call letters: If you know your local station’s name — WCBS, KTVT, WBBM, KPIX — type that instead of “CBS.” It often finds the station faster and more accurately.
Method 3 — Go straight to 390 or 391: If you’re in a hurry and can’t be bothered searching, just go to channel 390. You’ll be watching CBS within seconds. The programming may run on East Coast time, but you’ll have CBS.
Method 4 — Use the DIRECTV app: Download the DIRECTV app on your phone. Open it. Search for CBS. Tap. Stream it live. You can also use the app to browse the schedule and set recordings from anywhere.
Method 5 — Visit directv.com: Go to the official DIRECTV website. Enter your ZIP code. Your complete channel lineup will load, including the exact number for your local CBS affiliate.
CBS Is Missing From My Guide — What Happened?
Sometimes you go to CBS and it’s just… not there. This is more common than people realize, and there are a few different reasons it happens.
Reason 1 — Carriage dispute. DIRECTV has to pay your local CBS affiliate to carry their signal. That agreement has to be renewed periodically. Sometimes negotiations break down. When that happens, the station goes dark on DIRECTV with no warning.
This has happened several times in recent years. In March 2026, DIRECTV subscribers in Wisconsin and a few other markets lost access to some local CBS stations when a deal with Morgan Murphy Media expired. In past years, disputes with a company called Tegna knocked out CBS affiliates in dozens of cities.
When a carriage dispute hits, you can check directv.com/tvpromise to see if your area is affected.
Reason 2 — Package issue. If you recently changed your plan, a local channel might temporarily drop from your guide. Call DIRECTV customer support at 1-800-531-5000 to confirm whether CBS is included in your current package.
Reason 3 — Signal or technical issue. Try restarting your receiver. Press the red button on the side of your Genie box. A full restart takes about two minutes and often fixes guide errors, missing channels, and picture problems.
Reason 4 — You’re looking at the wrong channel. Your local CBS might be on a different number than you expected. Try going directly to 390 or 391 as a backup. Those national feeds rarely go dark.
What to Do If CBS Is Blacked Out Due to a Dispute
Okay, you’ve confirmed it’s a real carriage dispute. CBS is dark on DIRECTV in your area. Now what?
You actually have good options.
Get CBS for free with an antenna. CBS is a broadcast network. It goes out over the air — totally free — in every single market in the country. A simple $20 to $40 indoor antenna plugged into your TV will pick up CBS with no monthly cost. During disputes, this is the fastest solution.
Use Paramount+. This is CBS’s own streaming service. It carries live local CBS in many markets. You can stream CBS in real time on your phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV. Plans start around $7.99 a month.
Try YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. Both carry CBS in most markets. These streaming services don’t rely on DIRECTV’s carriage agreements, so they often have CBS even when DIRECTV doesn’t.
Ask DIRECTV for a credit. During past disputes, DIRECTV has offered credits to affected subscribers. Check directv.com/tvpromise or call customer support to ask about compensation.
CBS vs. CBS Sports Network vs. CBS News — Quick Comparison
People mix these up all the time. Here’s the simplest breakdown.
Local CBS (channel varies by city / or 390/391 nationally): This is your main CBS channel. Primetime shows. NFL games. Local news. 60 Minutes. All the big stuff.
CBS Sports Network (channel 221, fixed nationally): College sports. Sports talk. Overflow sports coverage. Not included in all DIRECTV plans.
CBS News (channel 247, fixed nationally): 24-hour live news coverage. Not the same as local news. Always on, always live.
Three different channels. Three different numbers. All from the CBS family. Keep them straight and you’ll never end up watching the wrong one by accident.
Final Words
CBS and DIRECTV have been partners for a long time. Every DIRECTV plan includes local CBS. Every DIRECTV subscriber can reach channels 390 or 391 as a national backup. CBS Sports Network sits fixed at 221 for sports fans. CBS News runs around the clock at 247.
The only confusing part was the local channel number — and now you know why that varies by city and how to find yours in under a minute.
Whether you’re catching Sunday’s NFL game, watching NCIS on a Tuesday night, or following breaking news on 60 Minutes, CBS is right there on your DIRECTV. All you needed to do was know where to search.
Now you do.
FAQs
1. What channel is CBS on DIRECTV?
There are two parts to this answer. Nationally, CBS is available on channel 390 (CBS East) or 391 (CBS West) on every DIRECTV subscription. Locally, CBS shows up on a different channel depending on your city — typically between channel 2 and channel 62 depending on your market.
2. Why does my neighbor have a different CBS channel number than me on DIRECTV?
Because CBS delivers its programming through local affiliate stations, not a single national feed. Each city has its own CBS affiliate with its own assigned channel number. DIRECTV reflects those local numbers market by market, so two people in different cities will always see different numbers.
3. What channel is CBS Sports Network on DIRECTV?
Channel 221. This number is the same across all 50 states. It never changes. However, CBS Sports Network is only included in the ULTIMATE and PREMIER packages. Lower-tier subscribers need to add the Sports Pack separately.
4. What channel is CBS News on DIRECTV?
Channel 247. This is a 24-hour live news channel — completely separate from your local CBS affiliate’s newscast. It’s a fixed national channel and doesn’t vary by location.
5. Is CBS included in all DIRECTV packages?
Yes. Your local CBS affiliate is included in every DIRECTV plan, from the entry-level ENTERTAINMENT package all the way up to PREMIER. You don’t need to upgrade to get CBS primetime, NFL, or local news.
6. How do I find CBS on my DIRECTV guide?
Press the Guide button on your remote and type “CBS” in the search bar. Your local affiliate will show up immediately. You can also type your station’s call letters if you know them — like WCBS, KPIX, or WBBM.
7. Why is CBS missing from my DIRECTV channel list?
The most common cause is a carriage dispute — meaning DIRECTV and your local CBS affiliate’s owner couldn’t agree on contract terms, so the station went dark. Check directv.com/tvpromise to see if your area is affected. You can also try restarting your receiver or calling DIRECTV support at 1-800-531-5000.
8. What can I watch on CBS with DIRECTV?
CBS carries NCIS, Survivor, 60 Minutes, The Amazing Race, Fire Country, Ghosts, Tracker, and NFL games among many other shows. The network runs primetime programming every night of the week, plus major annual events like the Grammy Awards.
9. Can I watch CBS on DIRECTV Stream?
Yes. DIRECTV Stream is the internet-based version of DIRECTV, requiring no satellite dish. Local CBS affiliates are included in DIRECTV Stream packages, just as they are in traditional satellite plans.
10. What if I want to watch CBS without a DIRECTV subscription?
CBS is a broadcast network, which means it’s free over the air with a basic TV antenna. You can also stream live local CBS through Paramount+ (CBS’s own streaming service), YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or FuboTV. These services don’t require a satellite or cable subscription.
11. Is CBS East (390) or CBS West (391) included in my package?
Both national feeds — 390 and 391 — are available on DIRECTV as backup or supplemental channels. They’re useful when your local affiliate isn’t loading or during a carriage dispute.
12. Who owns CBS now?
CBS is currently owned by Paramount Skydance Corp, formed after a major merger that was completed in August 2025. David Ellison serves as CEO and Jeff Shell as President of the combined company.
13. What is a carriage dispute and how does it affect my CBS access on DIRECTV?
A carriage dispute happens when DIRECTV and a local TV station’s owner can’t agree on how much DIRECTV should pay to carry that station. When the contract expires without a new deal, the station is removed from DIRECTV’s lineup. Viewers lose access until a new agreement is signed. As recently as March 2026, this happened in several Wisconsin markets and other areas.
14. Can I get a credit from DIRECTV if CBS goes dark?
Yes, DIRECTV has historically offered credits to subscribers affected by carriage disputes. Visit directv.com/tvpromise or call 1-800-531-5000 to ask about compensation. Some subscribers have received bill credits ranging from $10 to $25 during past disputes.
15. Will CBS ever get a single fixed channel number on DIRECTV?
Probably not. The local affiliate system is baked into how CBS broadcasts across the country. As long as CBS operates through hundreds of local stations rather than a single national cable feed, each city will continue to have its own channel number. The 390/391 national feeds are about as universal as it gets — and those will remain available regardless.
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