ABC, NBC, CBS… it can be hard to keep all these acronyms straight, especially when browsing your Spectrum guide. Where are you supposed to find the channel number for CBS amongst all these other channels on the air? The true answer will depend on the nearest big city in your state or neighboring region. If you’re a Spectrum cable subscriber looking to tune in to CBS for your favorite shows and news coverage, simply consult the table below.
CBS Channel Guide
| City and State | CBS Channel on Spectrum |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 46 |
| Austin, TX | 42 |
| Bronx, NY | 2 |
| Brooklyn, NY | 2 |
| Buffalo, NY | 4 |
| Charlotte, NC | 3 |
| Chicago, IL | 2 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 12 |
| Cleveland, OH | 19 |
| Columbus, OH | 10 |
| Dallas, TX | 11 |
| El Paso, TX | 4 |
| Fort Worth, TX | 11 |
| Houston, TX | 11 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 4 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 2 |
| Louisville, KY | 32 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 58 |
| New York, NY | 2 |
| Orlando, FL | 6 |
| St. Louis, MO | 4 |
| St. Paul, MN | 4 |
| San Antonio, TX | 5 |
| San Diego, CA | 8 |
| San Jose, CA | 5 |
| Tampa, FL | 10 |
The History of CBS
CBS — formally known as the Columbia Broadcasting System — has one of the longest, most storied histories in all of American broadcasting. First launched as a radio broadcaster in 1927, CBS was founded by businessman William S. Paley. The goal of the radio station was to improve broadcast quality and acquire popular programming to play over the airwaves. The success of CBS helped turn radio into the entertainment powerhouse that it was before the advent of television.
The broadcaster ventured into the burgeoning field of TV in 1941. Thanks to the American public’s need for updates from the front lines of World War II throughout the early to mid-40s, CBS was able to find just as much success on television as it had on the radio. The premiere of CBS Evening News in 1948 only boosted its success. By the start of the ’50s, the network was home to many popular scripted shows as well, namely I Love Lucy and The Twilight Zone.
From the start of color television to the further development of its news and scripted programs to the eventual transition to HD broadcasts, CBS retained its status as a Big Three network alongside NBC and ABC from the 1960s well into the 1990s. At the start of the new millennium, CBS introduced a vast array of new reality shows to the mix. This mix has helped it remain a key player on basic cable television through to the 2020s.
CBS Sister Stations
| The CW (12.5% ownership) |
| BET |
| VH1 |
| MTV |
| Comedy Central |
| CMT |
| Paramount Network |
| Pop TV |
| Smithsonian Channel |
| TV Land |
| Showtime |
| Flix |
| Nickelodeon |
| Pluto TV |
CBS Programming
©Warner Bros. Television – License
Once you find CBS on your Spectrum guide, you’re bound to realize the channel offers a wide range of different programming throughout the day and night. From scripted dramas to unscripted reality shows, late-night comedy to mid-day talk shows, CBS has a little bit of something for every type of viewer in their lineup. Let’s review some of the most popular programs you’re likely to encounter on a typical day on CBS.
Scripted
CBS consistently breaks viewership records, and its award-winning scripted dramas play a huge part in this success. The channel is home to Blue Bloods, N.C.I.S. and FBI franchises, CSI, and more. Even if you don’t watch any of these shows, you likely know somebody who does. They’re basic cable phenomena.
The same can be said for CBS’s comedies. Showrunner and executive producer Chuck Lorre practically has a residency at the network, consistently pumping out hit sitcoms for the network year after year. Currently, this includes Young Sheldon and Bob Hearts Abishola. Not to mention non-Lorre comedies, Ghosts and The Neighborhood.
Unscripted
If you thought CBS’s scripted lineup was stacked, just look at its unscripted offerings. From game shows to reality competitions, these super-successful unscripted shows have dominated the airwaves for many years. Survivor and The Amazing Race are two prime examples. These globe-spanning competitions have long been fan favorites.
Big Brother and its star-studded sister program Celebrity Big Brother are also big successes for CBS. People love tuning in to watch contestants stuck in a 24/7 lockdown under constant surveillance, as twisted as that sounds. Don’t forget about the game show The Price Is Right, which has been on the air for over 50 years.
Talk Shows
While CBS’s talk show lineup might not be as expansive as it once was, there’s no doubt it still has a leg up over some of the competition. This is true of both late-night and mid-day talk shows on the network — even with the recent loss of James Corden’s popular Late Late Show slot earlier in the year.
Stephen Colbert has held down The Late Show since 2015 when he took over for longtime host David Letterman, who had held the post since 1982. During the day, there’s The Talk. Similar to The View on ABC, the show features a panel of notable figures talking about an array of daily current events from differing viewpoints.
News
CBS has an equally impressive number of news programs. CBS Evening News is the most notable, having been on the air since 1948. Face the Nation isn’t far off, first premiering in 1954. 60 Minutes is another long-running staple, debuting in 1968. Together, these three paint a clear picture of CBS’s reliable and extensive news coverage.
Sports
Of course, we can’t forget about sports. CBS has plenty of live events to choose from. The network has major football games, NBA basketball games, PGA golf (including The Masters), and many more. It’s also the home to March Madness, Formula E racing, the annual Army-Navy Game, and even the Super Bowl every four years.
