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CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) is one of the U.S. “Big Three” broadcast television networks, known for entertainment, news, and live sports. The brand includes the national CBS Television Network (primetime series, reality, and sports), plus major news properties like 60 Minutes and local stations in top markets.
One big update since many older “CBS stats” posts were written: CBS is not a standalone “CBS Corporation” anymore. CBS is a core brand inside Paramount (now “Paramount, a Skydance Corporation”), and many financial and operational metrics are reported at the parent-company or segment level rather than as “CBS revenue.”
Quick Answer (2026)
CBS is a flagship network brand inside Paramount (a Skydance Corporation). CBS’ owned-and-operated local footprint is managed through CBS News and Stations, which includes 28 owned television stations in 17 major U.S. markets. On the ratings side, CBS finished as the #1 broadcast network by total viewers in both 2024 and 2025 year-end network rankings.
Key CBS Metrics (Latest Verified / Best Available)
| Metric | Figure | Year / scope | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owned TV stations (CBS News and Stations) | 28 stations in 17 major U.S. markets | Current corporate description | Paramount brand page |
| Ownership status | Part of Paramount (a Skydance Corporation) | Merger completed Aug. 7, 2025 | Paramount press release |
| Most-watched broadcast network (total viewers) | #1 | 2025 year-end ranking | Variety (2025) |
| Most-watched broadcast network (total viewers) | #1 | 2024 year-end ranking | Variety (2024) |
Where CBS Fits Today (Ownership Timeline)
Older CBS “company stats” often reference CBS Corporation (the public company that existed before re-combining with Viacom). Here’s the short, modern timeline:
- Dec. 4, 2019: CBS Corporation and Viacom completed a merger into ViacomCBS.
- Feb. 16, 2022: ViacomCBS rebranded as Paramount Global.
- Aug. 7, 2025: Paramount Global and Skydance completed their merger, forming Paramount (a Skydance Corporation).
This is why “CBS annual revenue” is no longer a clean, consistently reported line item in the way it was for CBS Corporation-era financial statements.
CBS Owned-and-Operated Stations
CBS’ owned local stations are managed under CBS News and Stations. Paramount describes this footprint as 28 owned television stations in 17 major U.S. markets, alongside national CBS News, local streaming platforms, CBSNews.com, and CBS News Radio.
CBS Viewership & Ratings
Even as streaming continues to reshape viewing habits, CBS remains a leader in broadcast TV audiences:
- 2024: CBS ranked #1 among broadcast networks by total viewers in year-end network rankings.
- 2025: CBS again ranked #1 among broadcast networks by total viewers in year-end network rankings.
Industry coverage also reported CBS was positioned to finish the 2024–2025 season as the most-watched broadcast network for the 17th straight year.
Historic CBS Corporation Revenue & Net Earnings (Pre-Merger)
The figures below are preserved for historical context only. They refer to CBS Corporation (the former public company before the Viacom merger). After 2019, CBS results are generally included inside consolidated parent-company reporting (ViacomCBS/Paramount).
CBS Corporation annual revenue (historical)
- 2018: $14.514 billion
- 2017: $13.692 billion
- 2016: $13.166 billion
- 2015: $12.671 billion
- 2014: $12.519 billion
- 2013: $12.713 billion
CBS Corporation annual net earnings (historical)
- 2018: $1.960 billion
- 2017: $357 million
- 2016: $1.261 billion
- 2015: $1.413 billion
- 2014: $2.959 billion
- 2013: $1.879 billion
FAQ
Is CBS still one of the “Big Three” networks?
Yes. CBS remains one of the major U.S. broadcast networks, alongside NBC and ABC.
Who owns CBS?
CBS is a core brand inside Paramount (a Skydance Corporation). The Skydance/Paramount merger closed on August 7, 2025.
How many CBS owned-and-operated stations are there?
Paramount’s brand description says CBS News and Stations includes 28 owned television stations in 17 major U.S. markets.
Is CBS the most-watched broadcast network?
In year-end rankings, CBS was listed as the #1 broadcast network by total viewers in both 2024 and 2025.
Does CBS have its own standalone annual revenue?
Not in a consistent way today. “CBS Corporation revenue” figures are historical (pre-2019). Since the CBS/Viacom merger and later rebrands, financial reporting is typically consolidated at the parent-company level (ViacomCBS/Paramount/Paramount+ era).
Sources
- Paramount: CBS News and Stations (owned stations footprint)
- Paramount press release (Aug. 7, 2025): merger completed
- ViacomCBS IR (Dec. 4, 2019): CBS + Viacom merger completed
- Paramount IR (Feb. 15, 2022): ViacomCBS rebrands to Paramount Global
- Variety (Dec. 26, 2024): 2024 network rankings
- Variety (Dec. 29, 2025): 2025 network rankings
- Hollywood Reporter (Apr. 29, 2025): season leadership coverage
- CBS Corporation 2018 Annual Report (historical revenue/earnings table source)
