How to Watch NBC Without Cable in 2023

You can watch NBC as a live TV channel on six live TV streaming services, or a TV antenna.

DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV, Peacock, and YouTube TV all stream NBC live on streaming devices and Smart TVs without the need of a cable subscription. 

There are 12 plans that carry NBC within those live TV streaming services. Peacock live streams local NBC stations through its Premium Plus subscription. You can watch Notre Dame football, movies, and NBC shows such as The Voice and Law & Order.

DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo and YouTube TV are the three live streaming services that let you stream NBC and offer a free trial if you are not ready to commit to a subscription. 

How to Watch NBC without cable

There are a number of live TV streaming services that are similar to cable TV subscriptions.

These services are used by cord-cutters to watch local channels such as CBS, FOX and ABC.

There are popular cable channels as well, including AMC, A&E and ESPN.

To get started, you just need an internet-connected Smart TV, streaming device or gaming console. Once you pick a streaming service, and sign up for a free trial, you can download the app to your Smart TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast or Apple TV.

Samsung TV, LG, Sony, VIZIO and other major Smart TV brands have apps that support these live TV streaming services. You are not just limited to watching on your television. Subscribers can watch TV through a web browser, tablet, iPad or iPhone. Gamers can use many of these apps on the latest Xbox consoles.

You can easily cancel a streaming service online, and jump to a competing service whenever you want. Some cord-cutters even jump from platform to platform throughout the year just to catch certain shows.

Here’s a quick look at each of these services with the latest pricing and plans for 2023.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has local NBC channels in its entry-level channel bundle. You have four ways to watch NBC without cable through DIRECTV STREAM.

You can sign up for a free 5-day trial on every plan without any obligations. Subscribers get $10 off the first three months of service on any plan.

The Entertainment package has more than 75 live TV channels for $74.99 per month. You can watch TV on unlimited screens within your home.

ESPN, ESPN2 and FS1 are included in the channel lineup. Discovery, Lifetime, MSNBC and Paramount Network are among the entertainment channels. You get unlimited hours of Cloud DVR storage and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.

You can add three months of Max (formerly HBO Max) Showtime, STARZ, Cinemax and MGM+ for free before the monthly rates kick in.

The Choice package has 40 regional sports channels, including Bally Sports networks, NBC Sports and Marquee Sports Network. The Choice package has more than 105 channels for $99.99 per month. 

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including local channels, and more sports and entertainment channels. The Ultimate package is $109.99 per month. The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as Max, Cinemax and Showtime. A subscription to Premier is $154.99 per month.

DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV and smartphones and tablets. Subscriptions run month to month and so you can cancel whenever you want.

You can look over the different channel lineups before deciding whether to sign up.

Fubo

Fubo (formerly fuboTV) carries local NBC channels in all three of its channel packages.

The Pro plan has 170 channels, including ESPN, FX, CNBC and key sports networks such as ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, FS1, NBC Sports and Golf Channel. 

AMC, HGTV, Food Network, Freeform, History, Food network, HGTV, Comedy Central and Investigation Discovery are some of the entertainment channels.

Fubo offers three plans, Pro, Elite and Ultimate. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial of any Fubo plan. Subscribers get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR storage. You can watch live TV on 10 screens at once. 

A subscription costs $74.99 per month. A regional sports fee is included, and costs between $10.99 to $13.99 per month. 

The Elite plan is $84.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Ultimate plan has 231 channels, including Showtime and NFL RedZone, for $99.99 per month

fubo has a library of on-demand content, including movies and TV shows. Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and Smart TVs all carry the fubo app.

Fubo has mobile apps for iPhone and Android so you can watch ESPN live on your smartphone. Subscribers can watch live TV through their web browser.

Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV has over 75 channels including local NBC stations, Great American Family, History Channel, HGTV, ESPN, and ESPN2.

You will get local NBC, ABC and FOX stations with the TV plan. Hulu has a number of regional sports channels such as NBC Sports.

The channel lineup also includes Bravo, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, SyFy, Telemundo and USA Network are among the entertainment channels on Hulu.

A subscription costs $69.99 per month and includes unlimited Cloud DVR, so you can record movies, TV shows, and news programs.

You get more than just live channels. Sports fans have full access to ESPN Plus. Ad-supported versions of Disney Plus, and Hulu’s on-demand library are also part of Hulu’s TV plan. 

Hulu on-demand subscribers will find a number of ABC shows with numerous seasons to watch. But don’t expect to find the latest episodes that just aired on cable. 

You can look over the channel lineup to see if it’s a good fit.

If you don’t need to watch ABC live, Hulu’s on-demand streaming service costs $7.99 per month, and you can get a 30-day free trial if you’re a new subscriber. 

Sling TV

Sling TV is an affordable way to watch NBC, but only in a number of TV markets.

Sling TV Blue has about 41 channels, including local NBC stations within its channel lineup in 11 TV markets, or “Designated Market Areas.”

If you live in or around one of these cities, then you should be able to get NBC through Sling Blue:

1. Chicago
2. Boston
3. Dallas/Fort Worth
4. Miami/Fort Lauderdale
5. Hartford/New Haven
6. Los Angeles
7. New York
8. Philadelphia
9. San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose
10. Washington, DC
11. San Diego

Sling Blue costs $40 per month. You will get NFL Network, A&E, FX, MTV, SyFy and TLC as part of the Sling Blue channel lineup.

Sling TV offers 50 hours of free Cloud DVR to all subscribers. All Sling Blue subscribers can watch live TV on three screens at once.

Sling TV works on most Smart TVs including Samsung Smart TVs. Major streaming devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV (4th generation) are supported.

When you sign up for Sling TV, you can get the first month of service for $15. There are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV.

For a larger lineup of 51 channels, you can combine the Sling Blue plan with the Orange plan for $55 per month. Sling Orange has channels not available on the Blue plan such as ESPN and USA Network.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV offers NBC stations and NBC regional sports networks.

For $72.99 per month, subscribers get more than 128 live channels and unlimited Cloud DVR. Subscribers get local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations. The channel lineup includes ESPN, Oxygen Network, USA Network, Comedy Central, FOX News, CNN, and Telemundo.

TNT, TBS, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and MLB Network and regional NBC Sports networks are part of the base plan as well.

You can watch TV or on-demand content on up to three screens at once. 

Subscribers can use Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku and Chromecast. You can also watch TV live on a PC with your subscription. You can get a free 7-day trial.

Peacock

Peacock now live streams local NBC affiliates around the U.S. 

Subscribers to Peacock Premium Plus, which costs $11.99 per month, get 24/7 access to their local NBC station.

Peacock made all 210 local NBC affiliates available through Peacock. Fans of The Voice or One Chicago can watch their shows live or on-demand with Premium Plus.

There is a variety of live sports on Peacock, including Sunday Night Football, Notre Dame Football, Premier League, NASCAR, INDYCAR and WWE events make up some of the sports you can watch.

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You can subscribe to just the Premium plan if you do not need live TV and just want to watch NBC shows. Premium subscribers get full access to Peacock Originals such as Poker Face and Twisted Metal. You can watch other live channels such as NBC News Now, Hallmark Channel, and on-demand shows from MSNBC.

A subscription to Peacock Premium is $5.99 per month.

Peacock Premium subscribers have watched the XXIV Winter Olympics live, and on-demand. Peacock also live streamed Super Bowl LVI.

Peacock has full seasons of Saturday Night Live, Yellowstone, and The Office. 

NBC website and NBC app

Two other ways to get an NBC live stream is through the NBC app and NBC website. You can use your subscription to YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, and Hulu Live TV to activate the NBC app or NBC website.

If you subscribe to the Sling Blue package and have NBC as part of your plan, you can also use the NBC app or website to get an NBC live stream.

Watch NBC Live for free with a TV Antenna

Let’s quickly cover how to watch NBC for free without any kind of streaming service.

Using a TV antenna is the least expensive way to get a free over-the-air (OTA) signal from local NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX and PBS stations for free.

People living within 30 to 40 miles of local broadcast towers have an excellent shot at getting local broadcast channels with a quality TV antenna.

You can use the free tool at AntennasDirect to see whether NBC is available in your area. Local channels broadcast digital signals in 1080i or 720p, which is High Definition.

If you are new to TV antennas, here is a list of resources that I have written to get you started so you can start watching your local NBC affiliate or station.

• How to Choose the Best TV Antenna
• How to Connect Multiple TVs to One Antenna
• Review: The Best Indoor TV Antennas
• Review: The Best Outdoor TV Antennas

How to Watch NBC Without Cable FAQ

Here are questions readers often ask while searching for ways to stream NBC live without a TV provider.

What streaming service has NBC?

fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV all carry local NBC stations and other broadcast channels. Peacock offers a local NBC live stream to subscribers of their Premium Plus plan.

Is NBC free without cable?

Yes. You can use a TV antenna to watch NBC and other local broadcast channels for free. Other over-the-air channels include PBS, ABC, CBS, FOX and the CW.

How do I stream NBC on my Smart TV?

You can sign up for DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. Peacock carries a local NBC stream in its Premium Plus plan.

Smart TV users can also try to get NBC for free by plugging in a TV antenna and scanning for over-the-air channels such as PBS, the CW, and ABC under settings.

Can I subscribe to NBC without cable?

You can subscribe to a local NBC station for $11.99 per month by signing up for Peacock. The Premium Plus plan carries all 210 local NBC affiliates across the country, so you can now get your local station.

How do I watch NBC on Roku without cable?

You can get NBC on Roku devices and Roku TVs by signing up for a live TV streaming service. DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and Sling TV all carry NBC within their channel lineups. But plans and pricing does vary among these live TV services.

Can I use the NBC app without cable?

Yes. You can use your DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV subscription to activate the NBC app and watch live TV.

How to stream NBC live on Amazon Fire TV

Fire TV and Fire Stick owners can subscribe to DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV and Sling TV to watch NBC without cable.

How to watch NBC on Apple TV without cable

You can watch NBC on Apple TV and iOS devices using a live TV streaming service. DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV all live stream NBC.

Does Peacock stream NBC live?

Yes. Peacock is now streaming local NBC stations. You need to sign up for Peacock Premium Plus to get a local NBC station. A subscription costs $11.99 per month.

What’s the best way to watch NBC without cable?

DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV, Peacock, and YouTube TV all provide ways to watch NBC without cable. 

Peacock is the cheapest option to live stream NBC from a local station. A Premium Plus subscription costs $11.99 per month.

DIRECTV STREAM will be the best bet for most people because it has comprehensive coverage of popular cable TV channels, regional sports and local channels.

The Entertainment package has more than 74 live channels, and unlimited Cloud DVR storage for recordings. A subscription costs $74.99 per month. 

You can sign up for a free 5-day trial, or take a look at the channel lineup to see if it’s a good fit. Subscribers pay on a month-to-month basis, so there are no long term commitments.  and includes 

fubo has a robust lineup of about 170 channels, 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR storage for recordings and an on-demand library of movies and TV shows. A subscription costs $74.99 per month. fubo works on Fire TV, Roku, Apple, on smartphones, tablets and PCs. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial.

For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.

This article was first published Sept. 20, 2017 and has been updated.