How Do I Find CBS in Baltimore on My TV?

CBS Baltimore broadcasts on channel 13 for over-the-air antenna viewers and channel 13 on most cable and satellite providers in the Baltimore area, including Comcast Xfinity (the dominant local cable operator), Verizon Fios, and DirecTV. The station's call letters are WJZ-TV. If you cannot locate the channel, check your provider's channel guide or contact their customer service, as channel assignments occasionally differ by service area or package tier.

Finding CBS Baltimore by Viewing Method

Over-the-air antenna: Channel 13 is the standard assignment for WJZ-TV throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. If you use a digital antenna and channel 13 does not appear after a channel scan, try rescanning your TV's tuner or repositioning your antenna, particularly if you are at the edge of the station's broadcast range in surrounding counties like Howard or Anne Arundel.

Comcast Xfinity: Channel 13 is the default location on most Xfinity packages in Baltimore proper and Baltimore County. If you have a lower-tier package, verify that your service tier includes local channels; some limited plans require an add-on fee for local broadcast access. Use the Xfinity remote's guide button or the Xfinity Stream app to confirm channel placement for your specific account and package.

Verizon Fios: Channel 13 is standard on Fios TV service throughout Baltimore and surrounding areas. Fios occasionally rearranges local channel numbers by market, so if you cannot find CBS on 13, check the interactive program guide within your set-top box or contact Verizon at the number on your bill.

DirecTV: Channel 13 is the typical assignment. DirecTV's national satellite feed does not always match local cable numbering, so if 13 does not work, try the program guide search function on your remote to locate "WJZ" by call letters rather than channel number.

Streaming: WJZ-TV content is available through the CBS app (free, with login requirements for some shows), Paramount+ (subscription required for full access), and through most cable provider apps (Xfinity, Fios, DirecTV) if you subscribe to those services. The station's website, wjz.com, also streams certain newscasts and content free of charge.

Why Channel Numbers Vary

Local broadcast television in the United States operates on a hybrid system. The Federal Communications Commission assigns each station a physical broadcast frequency, but cable and satellite providers can place that station on any channel number within their own systems. WJZ-TV's physical broadcast channel differs from its virtual channel number (13), which is why channel 13 appears on your TV even though the station broadcasts on a different frequency over the air. This separation allows providers to organize their lineups independently and is why you may occasionally find the same station on different numbers if you move or switch providers.

Troubleshooting Missing Channels

If channel 13 is blank or displays an error message, first verify that your cable or satellite box is powered on and connected properly. Unplug the box for 30 seconds, then plug it back in to force a restart; this resolves most temporary signal issues. If the channel remains unavailable, contact your provider's customer service line (listed on your bill) to check whether your account has local channels active and whether any service outages are occurring in your area.

For antenna users, a channel scan failure may indicate that WJZ-TV's signal is weak in your location. Moving the antenna higher, toward a window facing east (the direction of Baltimore's transmission tower), or purchasing a larger directional antenna can improve reception. The FCC's TV Reception Maps tool (fcc.gov/media/engineering/maps) provides signal strength predictions for your specific address.

News and Programming Information

WJZ-TV operates Baltimore's CBS affiliate and produces local news broadcasts at 5 a.m., noon, 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, with reduced weekend morning service. National CBS programming airs during evening and late-night slots. The station's main newsroom is located in downtown Baltimore. For program schedules, visit wjz.com or check your provider's guide.

Related Questions

Can I watch WJZ-TV news online without cable? Yes. WJZ.com streams certain newscasts free, and the CBS app offers clips and some full broadcasts with a free account; full CBS primetime programming requires either a cable login or a Paramount+ subscription.

Does WJZ-TV broadcast in 4K? Standard definition is the primary format. Some cable providers may offer select CBS programming in HD, but check your provider's specifications and package tier, as HD availability varies by area and service plan.