How to Watch CBS Live & Catch-Up TV in 2024

CBS is only available in a handful of countries. For example, you can watch it on the CBS website if you’re in the US, through Paramount+ in Australia, or the CBS Catch Up app in the UK. Each of these check your location through your IP address when you load it up.

A robust VPN can offer US, UK, and Australian IP addresses, allowing for the secure streaming of CBS from anywhere. These services also safeguard your connection and private information while streaming online, and also help to avoid video buffering issues due to ISP throttling.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for watching CBS securely and in HD. It was the fastest and most reliable from the dozens of services I and my team tested. ExpressVPN also has 30-day money back guarantee, so there’s no risk in trying it out. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Watch in HD With ExpressVPN >>

Best VPNs to Watch CBS Securely From Anywhere in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Consistently Fast Speeds for Streaming CBS Without Buffering

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2024

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN is one of the top choices for watching CBS from anywhere, due to its high speeds that are additionally boosted by its Lightway protocol. My team tested out the New York servers and were able to watch without any buffering issues. NFL and various other shows streamed smoothly with speeds reaching 110.32 Mbps — only a 14% speed drop from base speeds of 128.31 Mbps.

It only takes 5 Mbps to stream CBS content in HD, so this means you can rely on ExpressVPN to give you the best possible picture quality. I had a crystal-clear image while streaming, taking into account that my speeds were way above the limit for HD quality.

ExpressVPN’s US-based servers were all very fast

Even though it’s a little pricey, with the cheapest plan being $4.99/month, ExpressVPN has features that make it the most reliable option for watching CBS securely from the US.  You can try its benefits yourself without risk, as it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you end up not liking it, you can always ask customer support for a refund — it’s available 24/7, even through live chat.

Useful Features

• Website shortcuts. ExpressVPN has an option for adding website shortcuts you can see on the main screen once connected to a server. You can make a shortcut to the CBS website to find it quickly and efficiently.
• Fire Stick app. In case you want to watch CBS with Amazon Fire TV Stick, you can easily find ExpressVPN in the Amazon Appstore as it has a native app for this device. Installing it is as quick as installing it on a mobile or a computer.
• User-friendly apps. ExpressVPN has native apps for many of the devices where you can watch CBS, and all its apps are similar across different OSs. You can quickly connect by selecting the saved Recent Location to continue where you left off or search for a specific server with the search bar. In addition, you can add your most used server locations to your Favorites to find them instantly.
• Smart Location. This feature automatically finds the fastest server location for you, allowing you to quickly stream CBS in the highest quality.

2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers for Platforms That Offer CBS

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost has streaming-optimized servers that offer a faster and more reliable connection, making it easy to stream CBS shows from anywhere. With many servers for platforms that offer CBS streaming, my team easily found the right servers to use during testing. The Paramount+ US server reliably streamed CBS content without problems.

What sets CyberGhost apart is its ease of use. The app has a clean interface, making it easy for beginners to navigate. The "For streaming" tab streamlines the process of finding the right server for watching CBS securely and in HD while traveling, as it’s separated from the other server locations.

I recommend you get the VPN’s longest plan as it’s the cheapest, at $2.19/month, making it most cost-effective in the long run for CyberGhost users. It also comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee, as opposed to the shorter, 14-day guarantee for the monthly plan, which is also more expensive.

Useful Features

• 7 simultaneous connections. With CyberGhost, you can watch CBS on multiple different devices at the same time. This is useful if you need to connect on a few devices or if you want to share your subscription with your family.
• Best server location. CyberGhost has an automatic server selection feature that will connect you to the best nearby server location for streaming CBS. This means you don't have to manually search for the right server, and you'll always get the best speeds and quality.
• Fast speeds. This VPN offers fast connection speeds, which is essential for streaming CBS from anywhere without buffering. Even on non-streaming-optimized servers, the testing team got speeds of 107.99 Mbps on the Los Angeles server (from a base speed of 128.21 Mbps).
• Dedicated IP. CyberGhost VPN offers dedicated IP addresses for an additional fee, which can be useful if you want to use the VPN for other activities that require a static IP, like accessing work platforms securely.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Many Servers for Streaming Securely From Anywhere

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

With servers in all the US states, PIA is a great choice for safely streaming CBS from anywhere. There are 53 US locations to choose from. The testing team connected to 3 US server locations and got stable connections throughout. The benefit of having many servers is that you always have another one to try. Additionally, you can expect no overcrowding (which leads to slow speeds) since users will be spread out across all.

One of the major benefits of PIA is that it allows for limitless device connections with just one subscription. PIA enables you to connect all your devices to the VPN simultaneously without any restrictions. Consequently, you can simultaneously watch CBS securely using a local server on your phone, tablet, laptop, and TV, without any sacrifice in speed or quality.

You can try PIA for free, as you get a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not content with the service.

Useful Features

• Customization. PIA has a customization choice of different encryption levels and two kill switch options. For streaming CBS, I recommend using the AES 128-bit encryption, as it can help you maintain higher speeds, and the regular kill switch to prevent your IP from an accidental leak while switching between servers.
• Quick Connect widget. The Quick Connect widget is a convenient way to quickly connect to the best server. The tool saves your 6 most recent server locations, so you can connect in seconds if you often watch CBS.
• Streaming-optimized servers. PIA’s streaming servers are optimized for certain countries, not platforms as CyberGhost’s. These servers are specifically designed to deliver fast speeds, low latency, and reliable connections, so you can watch CBS shows in HD from anywhere without buffering.
• Split tunneling. This feature allows you to choose which apps or websites use the VPN, and which ones use your regular internet connection. It’s particularly useful when you want to watch CBS through a VPN while also using other apps or websites that require your real IP, like your banking app.

Where Can I Watch CBS Online?

On top of the CBS website, some of its content is also available on other platforms, such as Roku, Amazon Prime, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, DirecTV, and more.

Paramount+ (formerly known as CBS All Access) offers a lot of CBS content that you can watch for a sensible monthly price. It’s your best and most cost-effective bet for watching CBS shows and movies.

Amazon Prime has some CBS content available for purchasing. It also has a Paramount+ subscription option, which lets you watch CBS shows and live TV.

fuboTV is a streaming service that includes CBS in its channel lineup, along with many other popular channels.

Hulu + Live TV also offers CBS, as well as a wide selection of other live TV channels and on-demand content.

DirecTV also provides CBS access, as well as a range of other TV channels and entertainment options.

Finally, Roku offers a dedicated CBS channel, which makes it easy to access all your favorite CBS shows and sports events.

CBS Catch Up Channels is available if you have a UK IP address. It mostly covers CBS’ reality shows, but there’s some other content as well. If you have an Australian IP address, you can watch CBS Shows on Amazon Prime Video as long as you have the Paramount+ add-on.

How to Watch CBS on Different Devices Securely With a VPN

On Devices That Support Native VPN Apps

It’s easy to install a VPN app on devices that inherently support VPNs, including computers, smartphones, and Amazon Fire TV Stick, among others.

1. Download and install your VPN. I recommend using ExpressVPN since it has impressive speeds across its server network. On computers, you can download the VPN from the website. On smartphones and Fire Stick, you can find the VPN app in the devices’ stores.
2. Connect to a server. The closer the server, the faster speeds you’ll have for streaming.
3. Log in or sign up for CBS. Sign in to your CBS account online or create a new one on your device of choice. You can now start streaming CBS securely from anywhere.

On Devices That Don’t Support Native VPN Apps

Some devices like Roku, Apple TV, and some smart TVs don't support native VPN apps. However, you can configure your VPN on a compatible router or purchase a pre-configured VPN router (if your VPN offers one). The benefit of having a VPN router is that all devices connected to your router will share the VPN connection with the same subscription. Note that the guide below covers the general steps as they can differ depending on your router model and the VPN.

1. Find a VPN that works on routers. ExpressVPN comes with a custom router app and firmware, which not many VPN services provide.
2. Download the VPN’s router firmware. You can download the firmware directly from the VPN’s website. If you go with ExpressVPN, you first need to select the model of your home router and click “Download.”
3. Log into your router and install the router firmware. To start installing, enter the default router IP address into your browser’s search bar. That’s usually 192.168.1.1. Once you are logged in on your device’s network, go to advanced settings.
4. Connect your devices to the internet via your router. Once you’re done setting up your VPN, connect your devices to the now VPN-protected WiFi.
5. Connect to a server near you. Choose one in the closest city to get the best speeds.
6. Start watching CBS. Once you log into your CBS account, you will be able to watch your favorite content securely on any device that’s connected to the router.

How to Sign Up for CBS

If you live in the United States, it's likely you can watch the CBS channel via your TV provider, or you can choose from the platforms that offer CBS content. But, for those outside the U.S. wanting to set up a new account, you will need to sign up for a streaming service that offers CBS content in your country, such as Paramount+ in Australia.

1. Open the streaming site that airs CBS shows in your country. Since I was in the US, I went to CBS’s site.
2. Register an account. Because I was using CBS’s site, I had to provide my US billing address.
3. Give your payment info. I wanted to pay more securely and not provide my credit card information, so I used a gift card.
4. Log in. You’re ready to go!

FAQs on Watching CBS From Anywhere With a VPN

Is it possible to watch CBS for free?

CBS offers some free content on its website. However, the majority of its shows and live events require a subscription to Paramount+ (formerly known as CBS All Access) or one of its partner streaming services. In other countries outside of the US, there are also few streaming services showing CBS shows and which have free trials.

How can I watch CBS from India, UK, or other countries outside the US?

If you don’t live in the US, you will need to watch on a local streaming site that airs CBS’s shows. Depending on which country you’re in, there are a number of streaming services that show CBS content. For example, in the UK you can watch it on the CBS Catch Up app. In India, some CBS shows are available on JioCinema instead.

Can I use CBS app from anywhere?

The CBS app is available for downloading worldwide, but the content available on the app may vary depending on your location. If you're located in the US, you should be able to access all the content available on the CBS app. However, if you're located outside the US, you wont’ be able to watch all shows and movies. For this reason, you will need to use a streaming service that airs CBS shows instead.

Is it possible to watch CBS without cable?

Yes, it is possible to watch CBS without a cable subscription. CBS offers its own streaming service, Paramount+ (previously known as CBS All Access), which lets you watch all your favorite CBS shows and live events without a cable subscription. Additionally, many other streaming services offer CBS access as part of their channel lineup, including Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, and DirecTV.

On what devices can I watch CBS securely with a VPN?

You can watch CBS on a variety of devices with a VPN, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, and smart TVs. It offers a dedicated app for many devices, including iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Samsung Smart TVs. Additionally, CBS can be viewed through a web browser on any device that supports streaming video.

Many streaming services that offer CBS viewing also have dedicated apps that can be used to watch CBS content on different devices. For example, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, and YouTube TV all have apps for smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and other devices.

Why can’t I watch CBS with my VPN?

Sometimes, using a VPN can trigger an error that interrupts your stream — but it’s fixable. CBS blocks some VPNs’ IPs, so first make sure you’re using a VPN that’s proven to work reliably with CBS from anywhere. You can also try connecting to a different server or contacting customer support for help.

If you are already in the US, try connecting to another US server. If all else fails, you can contact the VPN’s customer support for help.

Watch CBS From Anywhere in Minutes

It’s nearly effortless to protect your data while streaming CBS from anywhere with the help of a VPN service. ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for watching CBS securely online. It offers the best speeds and military-grade encryption. You can also try it out completely risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching CBS from anywhere…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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