How to Watch WCVB Live (Channel 5 Boston) Without Cable

UPDATED January 11, 2022

How to Watch Channel 5 Boston Without Cable

This guide will show you a number of different ways you can watch Channel 5 Boston (WCVB) live without a cable TV or satellite TV subscription.

WCVB is a local ABC network that serves Greater Boston, all of Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.

If you live in these areas and currently watch WCVB by subscribing to Comcast or another cable company, there’s an excellent chance you can get ABC 5 elsewhere.

Watch WCVB live for free

You can quickly check to see if a TV antenna is a viable option for you. Broadcasters began transmitting digital signals in June 2009, but many people remain unaware that you get a number of channels for free.

WCVB transmits in 1080i. You will notice the picture quality is brighter and more crisp than what your cable TV provider delivers to your home. That’s because digital signals are uncompressed. Use a tool like rabbitears.info to see how far you are from a broadcast tower.

You may only need a simple indoor TV antenna to get a clear signal.

Scanning for channels is a simple process that can take between five and thirty minutes. For more tips on picking a TV antenna, read over How to Choose the Best TV Antenna & OTA DVR.

Stream WCVB live on Hulu with Live TV

You may already stream Hulu to watch TV shows on-demand. But Hulu also has a Live TV service that includes Channel 5 Boston.

Hulu with Live TV offers 75+ live channels over the Internet. In Massachusetts and Southern, New Hampshire, you’ll find WCVB (Channel 5 Boston), WBZ (Channel 4), WFXT (FOX 25), My38, NBC Boston, WMUR (Channel 9), NBCSN Boston, NECN and Telemundo.

The rest of the channel lineup has dozens of national networks that you’ll find on a cable TV package. A&E, Food Network, HGTV, ESPN, TNT and USA are included along with 50 hours of Cloud DVR.

Hulu with Live TV costs $69.99 per month, but you also have unlimited access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu’s on-demand library.

Hulu with Live TV works on most streaming devices. 

So instead of a cable box, you can watch Channel 5 Boston with a Roku, Fire TV or Apple TV.

Look over what local channels are offered in your area. If you don’t like the service, you can easily cancel online. There are no contracts or obligations once you sign up for a free trial or longer period.

Watch WCVB live without cable on YouTube TV

YouTube TV has 85+ live TV channels including WCVB (ABC), NBC, and CBS.

A subscription costs $64.99 per month. You get unlimited Cloud DVR. YouTube TV works on most streaming devices: Roku, Apple TV, web browsers and Android TV devices. There is an excellent mobile app, too.

YouTube TV offers a free 7-day trial.

Can I get ABC (WCVB) on Sling TV?

No. Sling TV carries local ABC stations in a small number of markets. There is nowhere in New England where you can use Sling TV to watch WCVB live. You are better off trying another alternative outlined above.

What’s the best way to watch Channel 5 Boston without cable?

Personally, I watch WCVB live using my TV antenna. If you’re interested in doing the same, read over my guides: How to Choose the Best TV Antenna & OTA DVR for tips. You can also take a look at: The Best Indoor TV Antennas.

If a TV antenna isn’t your thing, then I’d consider signing up for Hulu with Live TV. You’ll be able to watch Channel 5 Boston without a cable subscription. Subscribers get about 74 other live TV channels and 50 hours of Cloud DVR.