CBS News has launched a free, anchored streaming news service that delivers live breaking news and top stories around the clock [1].
This expansion signals a shift toward digital-first consumption, allowing the network to compete with other 24-hour news cycles by providing continuous reporting to a global audience without a paywall [1, 3].
The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week [2, 4]. Viewers can access the broadcast via any internet-connected device, including web browsers, mobile applications, and various streaming platforms [2, 4]. The network designed the service to provide up-to-the-minute coverage and original reporting for viewers worldwide [1, 3].
As part of this digital growth, the network rebranded its live streaming offerings to CBS News 24/7 [3]. This move integrates its live capabilities into a single, recognizable brand identity for the streaming era [3].
Labor developments have coincided with the service's operation. The Writers Guild of America East said the 60-member [5] union for CBS News 24/7 reached a tentative three-year [5] contract deal with the network. This agreement stabilizes the workforce responsible for the streaming content during the network's transition to an always-on model [5].
According to the CBS News mobile site, the service is free, live, and available 24/7 [2]. The platform focuses on delivering top stories and breaking news through an anchored format, moving away from purely automated or clip-based streaming [1].
“CBS News is free, live, and available 24/7.”
The move to a 24/7 free streaming model reflects a broader industry trend where traditional broadcasters are decoupling their news products from linear cable schedules. By offering a free, anchored service, CBS News is attempting to capture younger audiences who prefer on-demand digital access over scheduled television, while simultaneously securing the labor agreements necessary to sustain a continuous production cycle.
