How to Change the Local Station in Paramount Plus

Have you already switched from CBS All Access to Paramount Plus? Do you wonder how you can change the channel identified as your local station?

In this article, we’ll show you how to change your local station preferences and switch between your local channels. Apart from this, you’ll learn how to sign up for Paramount Plus, change your Paramount Plus location, and more.

How to Change Your Local Station on Paramount Plus

The newly launched Paramount Plus service gives you four local channels to choose from, including your local CBS affiliate, CBSN, CBS Sports HQ, and ET Live. You can switch between these channels within the Paramount Plus platform. And if you want to watch the local news of an area where you don’t actually live, you can do this within the Paramount Plus platform as well.

However, Paramount Plus doesn’t automatically give you the option to change your local CBS affiliate. For this, you’ll have to use a virtual private network (VPN).

We’ll show you how to perform all of these options.

Change Your Local Station on Paramount Plus

1. Sign in to Paramount Plus.
2. In the menu, select “Live TV.” Note: Depending on your device, this will either be a vertical or horizontal menu.
3. Choose between your local CBS affiliate, CBSN, CBS Sports HQ, and ET Live.
   

Switch Between CBSN Live Local News Channels

1. Open Paramount Plus.
2. Select “News” in the menu. Note: Depending on your device, this will either be a vertical or horizontal menu.
3. Scroll down to “CBS Live Local News.”
4. Select the CBSN channel broadcasting from your desired area (e.g., CBSN Chicago, CBSN Boston, etc.).

Change Your Local CBS Affiliate With Express VPN

As we pointed out earlier, you can’t change your local CBS affiliate within the Paramount Plus platform. The CBS affiliate channel you’ll have access to depends on your location which, in turn, is based on your IP address. It automatically streams the CBS affiliate linked to that location.

For example, if you log in to Paramount Plus in Los Angeles, you’ll automatically be programmed to watch KCBS, the Los Angeles CBS affiliate. But if you want to watch KPIX (which is a San Francisco CBS affiliate), you have to switch your IP address location to San Francisco. To do this, you’ll need to download a VPN.

While you can find many free VPNs online, bear in mind that they will attempt to make a profit in some other way. This usually means lots of ads, or they may sell your data to third parties. To avoid both of these, we recommend using a VPN like ExpressVPN.

1. Sign up for an ExpressVPN account and download the app through your streaming platform
2. In the search bar, type in “San Francisco” and press “Enter.”
   
3. Click on the search result “San Francisco (United States).”
4. Wait for Express VPN to connect you to a server located in San Francisco.
5. Check your IP location on this page. If you see that San Francisco is your current location, proceed to the next step.
   
6. Launch Paramount Plus.
7. In the menu, select “Live TV.” Note: Depending on your device, this will either be a vertical or horizontal menu.
8. Select “CBS (Local Station).”
   

Success! Now, you can watch KPIX live from San Francisco while you’re in Los Angeles.

See the list of CBS television affiliates. Here, you’ll find out to which location the CBS affiliate you want to watch is linked. Enter this location in step 3, and then proceed through the remaining steps.

Note: If you opt for the $5 Paramount Plus subscription plan, you won’t have access to any CBS affiliate.

How to Sign Up for Paramount Plus

The Paramount Plus sign-up process is pretty straightforward. You can do this from any device that has access to the internet.

1. Go to the Paramount Plus sign-up page.
2. Click “Try it for free.”
3. Click “Continue.”
4. Select your monthly plan. (Note: If you check the box next to “Save over 15% OFF the monthly price with an annual plan!”, you’ll get to choose a yearly plan.)
5. Click “Continue.”
6. Click “Continue” again.
7. Enter your personal information and click “Continue.”
8. Click “Continue.”
9. Enter your credit card information and click “Start Paramount+.” (Note: You can pay via PayPal as well.)
10. Choose three shows that you like and click “Next.”

Congratulations! You’ve successfully signed up for Paramount Plus. Now you can navigate the platform and start streaming.

Note: If you already have a CBS All Access account, you can sign in to Paramount Plus using your CBS All Access email and password. Also, the CBS All Access app on your device should already be updated to Paramount Plus. If not, update the app manually.

Additional FAQs

How Do I Change My Paramount Plus Subscription?

Paramount Plus enables you to change your subscription plan at any time. You can do this through their website.

1. Go to Paramount Plus.

2. In the top-right corner of the screen, click on your username.

3. Click on “Account.”

4. Select the type of subscription you want.

Note: If you made your initial Paramount Plus subscription on Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, or Roku, you have to edit your subscription plan on that platform.

What’s the Difference Between Paramount Plus and CBS All Access?

Paramount Plus is a revamped version of CBS All Access. It offers everything you’d get with CBS All Access with the addition of new content.

The major upgrade is that Paramount Plus enables you to stream TV networks other than CBS. These include BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and the Smithsonian Channel.

Speaking of content, Paramount Plus gives you access to the Paramount library. It includes more than 600 movie titles you can watch whenever you want.

Also, you’ll be able to watch Paramount Pictures movies soon after they’re released. The most anticipated titles are “Mission Impossible 7” and “A Quiet Place Part II.”

Can I Change My Location on Paramount Plus?

Since Paramount Plus is U.S.-based, all updates and new content will be available to U.S. citizens first. Thus, if you use Paramount Plus anywhere outside the United States but want to have the same privileges as people in the United States, you’ll have to change your location to the U.S.

Unfortunately, there is no official method for changing your location, but only a workaround. You’ll have to use a VPN and set your IP address location to the United States. Then, use a U.S. credit card to sign up for your subscription.

If you don’t have a U.S. credit card, there is a workaround for this as well. Purchase a Paramount Plus Gift Card that you’ll receive via email. Then, use it to pay for the Paramount Plus service, but make sure you’ve set your location to the United States first by using VPN.

Does Paramount Plus Have Local Channels?

Paramount Plus includes only one local channel, and this channel depends on your location and the location of your IP address. For instance, if you live in Los Angeles, you’ll get the KCBS local channel.

However, if you opt for the $5 monthly Paramount Plus subscription, you won’t have access to your local CBS station. Also, your access to live sports will be limited as well.

When Did CBS All Access Become Paramount Plus?

Seven years after its launch, CBS All Access was replaced by Paramount Plus on March 4, 2021.

Viacom merged with CBS in 2019 and became ViacomCBS. This is the reason why you have access to Viacom Network programming (i.e., Nickelodeon, the Smithsonian channel, etc.) on Paramount Plus. More expansions to the platform are set to come later.

Can You Watch Paramount Plus Outside of the US?

Paramount Plus is currently available in Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and 18 Latin American countries. Also, the service will be available in Australia.

If your country isn’t eligible for Paramount Plus, you can always use a VPN service and set your location in the United States. In this way, you’ll have access to Paramount Plus and all its content.

We’ve explained in detail how you can set your location to the United States and sign up for Paramount Plus. Feel free to scroll up and learn how to do this.

Changing Your Local Station on Paramount Plus

CBS All Access’s successor Paramount Plus promises to be a game-changer in the streaming service world. But it doesn’t give you the option to change your local CBS station. Instead, you need to use a VPN and change your IP location to be able to stream the CBS affiliate you want.

Still, if you wish to switch between the four local channels or choose a different CBSN Live Local News channel, you can do this within the Paramount Plus platform.

How did you change your local station on Paramount Plus? Did you use a VPN or some other method instead? Let us know in the comments below.

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