This guide explains the simple process of activating the CBS app on your Roku device using an activation code. This guide is for Roku users who have successfully added the CBS channel to their device and are ready to begin streaming their favorite shows, live sports, and news.
Activating CBS on your Roku device allows you to connect your TV provider to the CBS app and access the content you pay for on the big screen.
Generate the Activation Code
- Launch the CBS app on your Roku device.
- Select Sign in with TV Provider and click Continue.
- An access code will appear on your TV screen. Leave this screen open as you move to the next steps.
Enter the Activation Code
To complete the activation, you will need to access a computer or a mobile web browser.
- Visit cbs.com/tv/androidtv on your computer or mobile web browser.
- Enter the on-screen access code into the designated field, then click Activate.
- Your connected device screen will refresh automatically.
- Choose your TV provider from the list.
- Sign in using your TV provider username and password.
Once you are signed in, click Start Watching to begin streaming your local CBS station and the latest episodes on demand.
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FAQs
My Code is Expired or Not Working
Activation codes are temporary. If you take too long to enter the code, or if you enter it incorrectly, it will fail.
- Check for Typos: Be careful with letters and numbers that look similar (like the letter “O” and the number “0”). Ensure you are typing exactly what you see.
- Get a New Code: The easiest fix is to start over. Close the CBS app on your Roku, wait a few seconds, and reopen it. Select Sign in with TV Provider again to generate a fresh activation code.
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The Activation Website Won’t Load
If you cannot load cbs.com/tv/roku on your computer or phone, the issue is likely on your end.
- Check the URL: Make sure you typed the address correctly into the web browser’s URL bar, not a search engine.
- Try a Different Browser: Sometimes clearing your browser’s cache or switching from Chrome to Safari (or vice versa) resolves loading issues.
- Check Your Network: Ensure the device you are using to activate the code is connected to the internet.
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My TV Provider is Not Listed
To watch live TV and full seasons on the CBS app, you must link it to a participating pay-TV subscription.
- Search Carefully: If you don’t see your provider immediately, use the search bar on the provider selection screen.
- Verify Your Subscription: If your provider still isn’t there, or if you get an error after logging in, verify that your specific TV package includes the local CBS channel.
The App is Glitching or Won’t Open
If the CBS app itself is freezing, crashing, or refusing to display an activation code, try these quick resets.
- Restart Your Roku: Go to your Roku home screen, select Settings, then System, and choose System restart.
- Check for Updates: Go to the Roku home screen, highlight the CBS app, press the Star (*) button on your remote, and select Check for updates.
- Reinstall the App: If all else fails, delete the CBS app from your Roku, restart the device, and download the app again from the Channel Store.
