The CBS News app serves as a digital extension of the CBS broadcast network, providing live streaming news coverage with particular emphasis on breaking national stories and localized reporting from 14 major metropolitan areas. The application positions itself as a comprehensive news solution for users seeking both broad national context and specific regional coverage without requiring traditional cable subscriptions. Core functionality centers around live streaming capabilities, with the app offering continuous news coverage through CBSN, the network's digital news channel. The local news integration stands out as a significant differentiator, providing access to stations including WJZ Baltimore, KPIX San Francisco, WBZ Boston, and WBBM Chicago. Users can toggle between national and local coverage, with the app automatically detecting user location to serve relevant regional content. The interface includes customizable alerts for breaking news, weather emergencies, and specific story follow-ups. User experience varies by device but generally maintains a clean, broadcast-inspired interface with clear navigation between live streams, on-demand clips, and featured stories. The video player supports full-screen mode and background audio playback, though some users report occasional buffering during high-traffic news events. Real-world usage patterns show peak engagement during breaking news situations and morning/evening commute hours, with the local weather and traffic features proving particularly valuable for regional users. User feedback indicates generally positive reception of streaming quality and content breadth, though some note limitations in live coverage hours. Reviewer Tia Uno noted on July 4, 2025: 'Best streaming news going. All that's missing is more hours live.' This sentiment reflects a common observation that while the streaming quality is praised, users desire expanded live coverage beyond current scheduling limitations. The application excels in merging national and local news ecosystems, offering a unique value proposition for users seeking comprehensive coverage. However, the experience remains dependent on internet connectivity quality, and some regional markets receive more robust coverage than others. The app serves best as a secondary news source for comprehensive coverage rather than a primary breaking news alert system, with particular strength for users in the 14 covered metropolitan areas.