CBS News
Economic growth continues, as latest GDP data shows strong 3.3% pace last quarter
The nation’s economy grew at an unexpectedly brisk 3.3% annual pace from October through December as Americans showed a continued willingness to spend freely despite high interest rates and price levels that have frustrated many households.
Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department said the gross domestic product — the economy’s total output of goods and services — decelerated from its sizzling 4.9% growth rate the previous quarter. But the latest figures still reflected the surprising durability of the world’s largest economy, marking the sixth straight quarter in which GDP has grown at an annual pace of 2% or more. Consumers fueled much of last quarter’s expansion.
“Whichever way you slice it, this report caps a year of stellar economic growth performance, particularly with the backdrop of the Fed’s aggressive monetary policy tightening cycle,” Olu Sonola, head of U.S. regional economics for Fitch Group. “The momentum of economic growth going into 2024 is looking very good and presents an upside risk to growth going forward, despite widespread expectation of a slowdown in 2024. The Fed will likely not be in a hurry to cut rates, if the data continues to come in this hot.”
For all of 2023, the economy grew 2.5%, up from 1.9% in 2022.
Slight improvement in consumer sentiment
The state of the economy is sure to weigh on people’s minds ahead of the November elections. After an extended period of gloom, Americans are starting to feel somewhat better about inflation and the economy — a trend that could sustain consumer spending, fuel economic growth and potentially affect voters’ decisions. A measure of consumer sentiment by the University of Michigan, for example, has jumped in the past two months by the most since 1991.
There is growing optimism that the Federal Reserve is on track to deliver a rare “soft landing” — raising borrowing rates enough to cool growth, hiring and inflation yet not so much as to send the economy into a tailspin. Inflation touched a four-decade high in 2022 but has since edged steadily lower without the painful layoffs that most economists had thought would be necessary to slow the acceleration of prices.
The economy’s outlook had looked far bleaker a year ago. As recently as April 2023, an economic model published by the Conference Board, a business group, had pegged the likelihood of a U.S. recession over the next 12 months at close to 99%.
Even as inflation in the United States has slowed significantly, overall prices remain nearly 17% above where they were before the pandemic erupted three years ago, which has exasperated many Americans. That fact will likely raise a pivotal question for the nation’s voters, many of whom are still feeling the lingering financial and psychological effects of the worst bout of inflation in four decades. Which will carry more weight in the presidential election: The sharp drop in inflation or the fact that most prices are well above where they were three years ago?
The Fed began raising its benchmark rate in March 2022 in response to the resurgence in inflation that accompanied the economy’s recovery from the pandemic recession. By the time its hikes ended in July last year, the central bank had raised its influential rate from near zero to roughly 5.4%, the highest level since 2001.
As the Fed’s rate hikes worked their way through the economy, year-over-year inflation slowed from 9.1% in June 2022, the fastest rate in four decades, to 3.4% as of last month. That marked a striking improvement but still leaves inflation above the Fed’s 2% target.
The progress so far has come at surprisingly little economic cost. Employers have added a healthy 225,000 jobs a month over the past year. And unemployment has remained below 4% for 23 straight months, the longest such streak since the 1960s.
The once red-hot job market has cooled somewhat, easing pressure on companies to raise pay to keep or attract employees and then pass on their higher labor costs to their customers through price hikes.
It’s happened in perhaps the least painful way: Employers are generally posting fewer job openings rather than laying off workers. That is partly because many companies are reluctant to risk losing workers after having been caught flat-footed when the economy roared back from the brief but brutal 2020 pandemic recession.
Another reason for the economy’s sturdiness is that consumers emerged from the pandemic in surprisingly good financial shape, partly because tens of millions of households had received government stimulus checks. As a result, many consumers have managed to keep spending even in the face of rising prices and high interest rates.
Some economists have suggested that the economy will weaken in the coming months as pandemic savings are exhausted, credit card use nears its limits and higher borrowing rates curtail spending. Still, the government reported last week that consumers stepped up their spending at retailers in December, an upbeat end to the holiday shopping season.
Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at the tax and consulting firm RSM, said he thinks consumer spending is even stronger than the retail sales report indicated. Brusuelas suggested that the government data “did not adequately capture” increased holiday splurging on travel and other services.
CBS News
How to watch the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Chargers game today: Livestream options, more
The Cincinnati Bengals will face off against the Los Angeles Chargers in a game today. The Bengals will be looking to bounce back from a November 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Chargers, coming into the game with a record of 6-3, will be looking to extend their three-game winning streak to four in the game held at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Chargers game today, even if you don’t have cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Chargers game today
The Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Chargers game will be played on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 4:25 p.m. ET (1:25 p.m. PT). The NFL football game will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Chargers game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you’ll have other viewing options, too. Whether you have cable or have completely cut the cord, the game will be available in a variety of other ways. Just understand that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Bengals-Chargers game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Bengals-Chargers game for free
Looking for an inexpensive way to watch football? Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.
As the football season ramps up you may want to stock up on the latest NFL gear and merchandise. Fanatics is a great way to do so. With the latest player apparel and more, there’s plenty of stuff in stock to keep you covered this season. But don’t wait much longer. As each week in the season passes by competition for this limited merchandise will increase. Don’t wait for it to sell out.
Head over to Fanatics now to check out the latest NFL fan gear drop.
CBS News
How to watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets NFL game today: Livestream options, more
It will be the Indianapolis Colts versus the New York Jets in a game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey today. The Colts, coming into the game with a record of 4-6, will be aiming to break a three-game losing streak. The Jets, meanwhile, have only won three of their first 10 games this season, the latest loss coming against the Arizona Cardinals on November 10.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets game today, even if you don’t have cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets game today
The Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets game will be played on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The NFL football game will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you’ll have other viewing options, too. Whether you have cable or have completely cut the cord, the game will be available in a variety of other ways. Just understand that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Colts-Jets game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Colts-Jets game for free
Looking for an inexpensive way to watch football? Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.
As the football season ramps up you may want to stock up on the latest NFL gear and merchandise. Fanatics is a great way to do so. With the latest player apparel and more, there’s plenty of stuff in stock to keep you covered this season. But don’t wait much longer. As each week in the season passes by competition for this limited merchandise will increase. Don’t wait for it to sell out.
Head over to Fanatics now to check out the latest NFL fan gear drop.
CBS News
How to watch the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
The Green Bay Packers will be facing off with the Chicago Bears today. With a 6-3 record, the Packers have had a solid season overall so far this year, but are coming off of a tough 24-14 loss in last week’s game against the Detroit Lions. The Packers will be looking to recover with a win against the Bears, who have had a tough season so far with a 5-4 record and a three-game losing streak, including last week’s 19-3 loss against the New England Patriots.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
The Packers vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch Fox through several streaming services if it’s not included in your cable package or if you don’t have cable. All you need is an internet connection and the top options outlined below.
Fubo, a contract-free live TV streaming service offering comprehensive sports coverage, gives you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
One of the most cost-effective ways to watch major sporting events is through a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier ($60/month, currently half-off first month at $30), which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
You can watch NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
If you want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone, the NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.