CBS News provides a free [2], anchored streaming news service that delivers breaking news and top-story coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week [1].
This initiative marks a shift toward a digital-first distribution model, allowing the network to reach global audiences without the barriers of traditional cable subscriptions.
The service is available online through the CBS News website, a dedicated mobile app, and various streaming platforms. By making the content accessible to anyone with internet access, the network aims to create a single destination for original reporting, and live events [2].
This streaming effort integrates content from both the national CBS News desk and its network of local stations [2]. The service provides a continuous loop of news, ensuring that breaking developments are available in real time regardless of the viewer's time zone.
Launched as part of a rebrand in 2024 [2], the 24/7 stream focuses on delivering a mix of anchored programming and raw live feeds. This approach allows the network to pivot quickly during major global events, a necessity in a fragmented media landscape.
The network said the goal is to streamline how audiences consume breaking news [2]. By removing paywalls, the service competes directly with other free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels that have grown in popularity over the last few years.
“The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
The move to a free, 24/7 streaming model reflects a broader industry trend where legacy broadcasters are decoupling their content from linear television. By leveraging a FAST-style (Free Ad-supported Streaming Television) approach, CBS News can capture younger, cord-cutting demographics while maintaining a global footprint that is not limited by regional cable carriage agreements.
