How to Watch CBS On Demand With a VPN (Updated in 2024)
Reading time: 12 min
Updated on December 11, 2023
You can only watch CBS if you’re in Canada, Australia, or the US because of regional licensing agreements. If you’re traveling outside CBS’s coverage area, its advanced algorithm will prevent you from watching the streaming service.
While theoretically you can watch CBS from anywhere with a Virtual Private Network (VPN), this could be considered copyright infringement, plus it goes against CBS’ terms of use. My colleagues and I do not condone using a VPN in this way.
If you’re in Canada, Australia, or the US, I recommend you get ExpressVPN to watch CBS risk-free. It comes with superfast streaming speeds and top security. You can try it risk-free as all plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I canceled my plan over live chat and got a full refund 3 days later. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Watch CBS With a VPN
- Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN for its super-fast servers that allow you to stream in Ultra HD without lags. Luckily, you can try ExpressVPN for yourself as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Connect to a local server. ExpressVPN has a vast network of speedy servers in the US, Australia, and Canada, to watch CBS safely.
- Start watching CBS Live! Log into your CBS account online or through its app and start watching the shows you pay good money for.
Important! While you can theoretically use a VPN to watch CBS outside your country, this may breach streaming services Terms and Conditions or go against your country’s laws. My team and I don’t condone using a VPN to break the law.
The Best VPNs to Watch CBS in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Stream CBS With Superfast Speeds
Key Features:
- Over 3,000 servers in 105 countries
- Lightway protocol for fast, reliable connection
- Connect up to 6 devices to a single account
- Around-the-clock live chat and email customer support
- 30 days risk-free money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN’s superfast servers enable you to reliably stream CBS shows live in HD. All ExpressVPN servers are optimized for streaming, and its extensive server network in the US ensures you’re never connecting to an overloaded server. During tests, all US servers my team connected to were fast enough to stream in HD at any time of day with no buffering pauses. They even ran speed tests on servers in faraway countries (which tend to be slower, since your data has to travel farther). No matter where I connected, my speeds were super-fast with ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN’s military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and data protection policies ensure that you stay anonymous and invisible online. ExpressVPN is the only VPN on this list that can slip through China’s strict firewall. Just keep in mind that most non-approved VPNs are illegal in China. While the government doesn’t pursue VPN users aggressively, I don’t recommend breaking the laws of any country whether you use a VPN or not.
Apart from its extensive network of fast, secure servers, ExpressVPN comes with a split tunneling feature that enables you to use other apps without a VPN. Split tunneling lets you route selected apps through ExpressVPN’s servers, while others access the internet using your local IP address. This is helpful if you want to do things in the background while you watch, like check your online bank account. This would usually set off fraud alerts and block your account, due to your bank’s website detecting the VPN server.
If you don’t want to just take my word for it, you can test ExpressVPN out for yourself to see if you like it. If you’re not satisfied with its service, you have up to 30 days to claim a refund. I subscribed to ExpressVPN and after 15 days of using the service, I requested a refund through the 24/7 live chat. The representative processed my request without question, and I got my money back within 5 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
ExpressVPN works with: HBO Max, Kodi, Amazon Prime Video, SHOWTIME, Spotify, Netflix, Vudu, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, and more.
ExpressVPN is compatible with: on iOS, Windows, Android, macOS, Playstation, Xbox, Router, Chromecast, Firefox, and more.
Get ExpressVPN's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as $4.99 per month + get extra 6 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 82%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — Servers Optimized for Watching CBS Live Buffer-Free Without Cable
Key Features:
- Over 11,670 servers in 100+ countries
- Enjoy streaming your favorite shows on smart TVs and gaming consoles
- Up to 7 devices connected to a single account
- 24/7 customer support via live chat or email
- 45 days money-back guarantee policy
CyberGhost comes preloaded with streaming servers optimized specifically for watching buffer-free TV on CBS. Just click the arrow button to open the server menu, and select “For Streaming.” Then find the CBS server and double-click to connect instantly. My colleagues in the US could watch CBS right away, and they had reliably lag-free video watching shows like Clarice and All Rise.
No matter which server in the US we tried, the team got lag-free video for shows like NCIS: Los Angeles and Tough as Nails. My colleague in British Columbia got similar results testing CyberGhost’s servers in Canada. With 11 options in the US and 3 in Canada, you’ll find a working server to watch lag-free CBS shows like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show regardless of which of the 2 countries you live in.
Since I like to watch CBS on my phone and tablet, I was glad to find that CyberGhost supports up to 7 simultaneous connections with a single account. While most VPNs struggle to keep up with bandwidth requirements when you watch on 2 or 3 devices, this wasn’t a problem with CyberGhost. I was able to connect my windows laptop, iPhone, and 3 other devices during my tests and watched Undercover Boss with no buffering except for a few seconds at the beginning.
I was also happy to find out that CyberGhost has a strict no-logs policy so that none of your browsing activities are ever recorded. With headquarters in Romania, it isn’t subjected to the rules of the Five, Nine, or Fourteen Eyes countries. These are nations (like the US and UK) that violate your online privacy and share the data with one another. By being based in a country with user-friendly privacy laws, CyberGhost keeps you safe from government surveillance and data collection.
It’s common for VPN providers to have different interfaces, features, and protocols across other platforms, but CyberGhost ensures that the quality of service across all platforms is the same. During my tests I found its easy-to-use interface is intuitive to navigate across all its apps, even if you’re a new VPN user. This is just as true on PC or mobile as it is on tablets, smart TVs, streaming boxes, and other devices. You can even install it on your router (which protects all the devices on your home network).
You can try CyberGhost with CBS risk-free for 45 days with its money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you can unsubscribe and ask for a refund as long as it’s still during the refund period. After I tested CyberGhost for 15 days, I canceled my subscription and asked for a refund using the 24/7 live chat. The representative processed my refund request with no questions, and I got my money within 5 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
CyberGhost works with: Youtube TV, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN, Roku, Twitch TV, Vudu, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, DAZN, and BBC iPlayer.
CyberGhost is compatible with: Linux, Android TV, Router, Chromebook, Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, and Router.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Large Network of Servers to Reliably Connect to CBS
Key Features:
- 35,000+ servers located in 91 countries
- Fast streaming speed with military-grade security
- Connect up to 10 devices at the same time to a single account
- 24/7 live support service to answer your questions
- 30 days money-back guarantee policy
PIA has the largest server network of any VPN. With PIA you have so many server options, you’ll never have to deal with slowdowns due to overcrowding like with lesser VPNs. Live TV requires a speedy connection to avoid stuttering and pixelated quality.
I found PIA very easy to set up and navigate — my colleagues in the US were able to connect to a US server in less than 40 seconds and log into CBS. They were able to stream CBS and watch The Equalizer with zero lag.
One nice perk about PIA is you can increase your streaming speed by switching encryption protocols. This means that I could easily improve the speed of my streaming sessions on CBS by selecting 128-bit encryption in PIA’s connection settings. 128-bit encryption isn’t quite military-grade so it might not protect your data quite as powerfully. However, if you’re just watching live TV it makes sense to sacrifice a little bit of security for smoother streams since the risk is incredibly low.
If you’re the type of person who likes to try before you buy, you can use Private Internet Access risk-free with its money-back guarantee of 30 days. If you decide you don’t like it and want to watch CBS with a different VPN, PIA lets you ask for your money back via online support ticket. It took a little longer to process than the other VPNs on this list (which offer refunds over live chat), but an agent still got back to me within 30 minutes. I had my money back in just 3 business days.
FAQs on Watching CBS With a VPN
What is the difference between the CBS Channel, CBS online, and the CBS App?
CBS online refers to streaming CBS live through its website or online streaming platforms such as Hulu or YouTube TV. You do not need cable to stream CBS online, instead you just need to sign up for an account with one of the streaming services that offer CBS.
The CBS app (rebranded as Paramount+) can be downloaded for free, and used to stream all CBS shows and content on your mobile device with a subscription. The app is also compatible with Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV, PlayStation, and Xbox.
The CBS channel refers to the original cable network. It can only be accessed by cable or a satellite provider such as DirecTV, DISH, and Spectrum. It is available across several local channels within the US.
Can I watch CBS for free?
You can watch some CBS shows and content for free online and on the Paramount+ app. Streaming platforms like Hulu, YouTube TV, and the Paramount+ app also have free trial periods so you could at least watch CBS for free for a short period.
If you’re safety-conscious when you stream online, you can pair a streaming service’s free trial with a money-back guarantee provided by the 3 VPNs recommended in this article. CyberGhost is a super affordable option, with plans for just $2.03 per month. Plus, it works on up to 7 devices so you can watch CBS for free with family or friends. After you’re done watching, you can just use its 45-day guarantee to get your money back.
Where can I stream CBS online?
If you subscribe to CBS services, you can connect directly through the CBS website (CBS online) or the Paramount+ app (the rebranded CBS all access app) from Canada, Australia, or the US.
I’m connected to a VPN, why can’t I watch CBS?
Free VPNs don’t usually work, but you shouldn’t encounter any issues if you use any of my top VPNs. If you’re still experiencing problems logging in and watching CBS shows with a VPN, you can try to:
- Unplug your router, wait 10 seconds, plug it back in, and try connecting again
- Connect to a different server
- Restart the VPN
- Reinstall the VPN
- Reboot your device and reconnect
- Contact your VPN’s customer support
If you need to troubleshoot problems, it’s much easier to find a solution when your VPN has 24/7 live chat support. That’s why I prefer providers that have agents ready to help all day and night. Every VPN I tested for this list includes 24/7 chat, but I got some of the fastest reply times with ExpressVPN. Even after midnight on a weekend, I always get a reply within just 1-2 minutes. You can try ExpressVPN for yourself worry-free as it’s reliable 30-day money-back guarantee ensures you’ll get a full refund if you’re no longer interested.
Start Watching CBS With a VPN Today!
If you want to protect your devices with a VPN and stream CBS without interruption, you need a top VPN.
I recommend you get ExpressVPN to watch CBS. It has top security and speeds, so you can watch HD streams while protecting your data. You can try ExpressVPN with CBS risk-free, as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested this over live chat, and got my money-back easily within 3 days.
Summary — Watch CBS Now With These VPNs (Updated 2024)
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: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Leave a Comment
Cancel