12 Ways to Watch FOX Without Cable in 2023

Many people already know that watching FOX live without the constraints of a cable subscription is pretty simple. But they might not be aware that most people in the U.S. can get FOX free as an over-the-air channel instead of paying for a monthly streaming service.

In this guide, I meticulously rank five leading live TV streaming services — Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Fubo — alongside over-the-air (OTA) options, all evaluated through the lens of value for money. 

My analysis delves into the service-specific highlights and provides a comparative analysis to help you make the most informed choice.

With a total of 11 different plans across these streaming services offering FOX live, I will help you navigate through the intricacies of each to ensure you find the best possible match for your Smart TV or streaming device. 

For those seeking a cost-free alternative, we explore how a TV antenna can become your gateway to local FOX stations in most regions across the U.S.

The cheapest streaming option for a live FOX channel is through Sling TV. 

Sling only offers local FOX stations in 18 markets. Some cord-cutters subscribe to Sling TV for access to cable networks such as ESPN, and use a TV antenna to get a local FOX station as an OTA channel.

If you want to watch OTA channels, including FOX, within the Sling TV app, you need an antenna connected to an AirTV2 or AirTV Anywhere DVR.

Since its launch over three decades ago, FOX has captivated audiences with iconic shows and live sports events. From the enigmatic performances on “The Masked Singer” to the adrenaline-pumping action of NASCAR races and the competitive spirit of NFL and MLB games, FOX continues to be a cornerstone of American television.

Beyond live TV, Hulu on-demand emerges as a budget-friendly contender, granting access to a wealth of FOX classics, from the satirical escapades of “Family Guy” to the animated charm of “Bob’s Burgers” and the cultural staple that is “The Simpsons.”

How to Watch FOX Live Without Cable

DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo and YouTube TV are the three live streaming services that let you stream FOX and offer a free trial.

Cord-cutters can use a variety of streaming devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV to stream FOX shows.

Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia, Vizio and LG support most streaming services.

A number of live TV streaming services are similar to cable TV subscriptions. You can watch local broadcast channels such as FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC and PBS. There are popular cable channels too, including CNN and ESPN.

Game consoles including XBox and PlayStation support watching TV. Mobile apps for streaming services can be used on iPhones and iPads (with current iOS) and Android mobile devices to watch TV.

To get started, you just need an Internet connection or data plan. Once you get a free trial of a live TV streaming service, download the app to your Smart TV, or streaming device.

Hulu + Live TV has over 75 channels including local FOX stations, Great American Family, HGTV, and ESPN.

You will get local NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX stations with the TV plan. A subscription includes regional sports channels (RSNs) such as NBC Sports. Depending on where you live, those RSNs may be essential for watching local NBA or MLB teams.

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

A subscription costs $76.99 per month and includes unlimited Cloud DVR, so you can record movies, TV shows, and news programs.

Subscribers get more than just live TV channels to watch. You will have full access to ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu’s on-demand library. Hulu Live has a similar price point as competitors, but adds in subscriptions to two other major streaming services, Disney+ and ESPN+. 

If you don’t need to watch FOX 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 carries local FOX channels in 19 markets across the U.S. as part of the Blue channel bundle.

The Sling Blue package has more than 40 channels, including local FOX stations within its channel lineup in 18 TV markets, or “Designated Market Areas.”

Sling Blue includes CNN, NFL Network, A&E, and TNT. You can find other local channels such as ABC and NBC in some markets.

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.

For a larger lineup of about 88 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. The Orange plan has no locals or FOX station.

The Sling TV on-demand library is included in each bundle. If you want to add FOX as an OTA channel to your Sling TV app, then you can use an AirTV OTA DVR, or AirTV Anywhere with a TV antenna.

Sling TV works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV (4th generation). When you sign up for Sling TV, there are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV. You can look at the latest offer Sling TV has for new and returning customers.

Sling pulls together a cross section of national sports channels at a lower price point than DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo or Hulu Live TV. But you will make some sacrifices by giving up regional sports channels and limited coverage of local channels.

YouTube TV has 128 channels for $72.99 per month, and you’ll be able to stream FOX live.

Subscribers get local ABC, CBS, NBC and PBS stations. The channel lineup includes ESPN, Oxygen Network, USA Network, Comedy Central, FOX News, CNN, and Telemundo.

You can watch TV or on-demand content on up to three screens at once. You can add on premium channels such as Max (formerly HBO Max) to the base plan. Customers get unlimited Cloud DVR and an on-demand library of FOX shows.

There are YouTube TV apps for Roku, Apple TV and a mobile app for Chromecast. You can stream on up to two devices at once.

YouTube TV also has channels like CNN, FS1, FS2, Sundance TV and TBS. YouTube TV is an easy cable TV replacement. It has an intuitive menu and interface that anyone could use without much instruction. 

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

You can sign up for a free 5-day trial on every plan without any obligations.

The Entertainment package has more than 75 live TV channels for $79.99 per month. Subscribers can watch TV on unlimited screens within your home.

ESPN, ESPN2, HGTV 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.

Subscribers can get 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 networks, including Bally Sports networks, NBC Sports, NESN, Marquee Sports Network and YES Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels for $108.99 per month.

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including local channels, and more sports and entertainment channels. The Ultimate package is $119.99 per month. The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as Max, Cinemax and Showtime. A subscription to Premier is $164.99 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.

DIRECTV STREAM may offer walloping channel lineups, but it gets expensive fast. If you just need ESPN and a few other channels, stick with budget-friendly Sling TV.

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

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

Fubo stands out as a service that aims to please sports fans with a robust lineup of regional sports networks from Bally Sports, NBC Sports and NESN.

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 boasts a wide variety of TV shows, movies, and original series with more than 70,000 titles in its on-demand library. It is one of the most popular streaming services in the United States, and a go-to option for cord-cutters, with over 48.2 million subscribers.

The streaming service offers a library of current TV shows from networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. There are series such as “Only Murders In The Building”, “Justified: City Primeval” and “The Bear.”

Subscribers get a vast library of movies from every genre, including new releases and classic films. There is original programming such as “The Big Sick” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.” 

You can sign up for a 30-day free trial. Subscriptions run month to month, or annually. You can cancel whenever you like.

Subscribers can pick from a couple of plans for a subscription. The ad-supported plan costs $7.99 per month, or $79.99 per year. Hulu without ads costs $14.99 per month.

Either plan is a great option for people who want to watch a variety of TV shows, movies, and original content without a cable TV subscription.

Get Free Access to FOX with a TV Antenna

It’s time to discover the most economical way to enjoy live FOX broadcasts: a TV antenna. 

This one-time investment offers a world of free over-the-air (OTA) channels, including not just FOX but also NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, and more, all in crisp High Definition. 

If you’re within 30 to 40 miles of local broadcast towers, chances are high that you’ll receive these channels, including your local FOX station, with a reliable TV antenna.

Why consider an antenna over streaming services? While streaming platforms provide a broad spectrum of content, including major broadcasters, sports, and live news, the use of a TV antenna brings a unique value proposition:

1. Cost-Effectiveness:
   • Free access to major local channels without any recurring fees, contrasting with the monthly subscriptions of streaming services.
2. High Definition Quality:
   • Local channels are broadcast in 1080i or 720p HD, ensuring you enjoy high-quality picture resolution without additional costs. (NextGen TV channels are currently broadcast up to 1080p on compatible Smart TVs.)
3. Simplicity:
   • A straightforward setup without the need for accounts or internet connectivity, unlike the requirement of streaming services.
4. Reliability:
   • OTA broadcasts are less susceptible to buffering or outages that can affect streaming during peak times or due to internet issues.

For those exploring the OTA option, resources are available to guide you through the setup process. Additionally, the Transmitter Map tool from AntennasDirect can help you confirm the availability of FOX in your area. 

You can start recording OTA channels and get free, ad-supported channels all in one menu by connecting a TV antenna to a 4th Gen Tablo OTA DVR. There are no subscription or ongoing fees with Tablo.

In the broader context, while streaming services offer extensive libraries, including live sports and news from major broadcasters, the choice between streaming and OTA will depend on your preferences for variety, cost, and convenience. 

Whether you’re a sports enthusiast seeking comprehensive coverage or a news aficionado desiring the latest updates, both OTA and streaming services have their distinct advantages to suit your viewing habits.

How to Watch FOX Live FAQs

These are questions readers ask when researching ways to watch FOX without a cable or pay TV provider.

Where can I watch FOX shows?

For a live TV channel, you can stream FOX shows live on Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Fubo.

If you don’t need live TV, Hulu on-demand is an affordable way to stream full episodes of your favorite FOX shows without cable or satellite service.

The ad-supported plan costs $7.99 per month, and works on nearly every major streaming device including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast. Hulu is supported on a number of Smart TVs as well.

Subscribers won’t be able to live stream FOX stations, but you can watch full seasons of “Family Guy”, “Animal Control”, “The Cleaning Lady”, and “MasterChef.” Hulu does not carry FOX News, but does have the latest episodes of FOX News Sunday.

You can get a 30-day free trial without any obligations.

You can bundle Hulu with Disney+ (ad supported) for $9.99 per month. The Disney Trio bundle has Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ for $14.99 per month.

How to watch FOX on a Smart TV

You can watch FOX as a free over-the-air channel on any Smart TV using a TV antenna. To stream FOX live, you can sign up for a live TV streaming service such as YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Vidgo, Sling TV or Fubo.

How to Watch FOX on Roku

You can sign up for Hulu Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV (in select markets) and Vidgo to stream a local FOX station live. After signing up for the streaming service online, you can download its app to your Roku device or Roku TV.

How to Stream FOX on Amazon Fire TV

You can use streaming services that carry FOX such as YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV (in select markets) and Vidgo to get FOX on Amazon Fire TV devices. Download the app to the service you sign up for, and use your TV provider credentials to access the live channels.

How to Watch FOX on a computer

Navigate your web browser to FOX.com, and use a participating TV provider account to start watching FOX, FOX News, FOX Business, FOX Nation, FOX Sports, FOX Weather, tubi, and FOX local. You need to sign up for a free account on the FOX website as well.

Your second option is to use a streaming service through a web browser that carries FOX.

Can you watch FOX on Peacock?

Peacock does not carry FOX. Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, and has local NBC stations available under the Premium Plus plan for $11.99 per month. The entry-level Peacock plan, called Premium, carries a wide variety of movies, NBC shows and NBC Sports.

Can I watch FOX on Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime does not carry FOX, or its TV shows. Prime members can watch a huge library of movies, TV shows once available on cable, and original programming.

Can you watch FOX on tubi?

Tubi (or tubi) is a free, ad-supported streaming service owned by FOX Corporation. You can find some FOX shows on tubi, but expect them to be generally older shows. You are better off looking on Hulu if you want the latest episodes of a newer show such as Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars, 9-1-1, or Crime Scene Kitchen.

Conclusion: Where to watch FOX Live

You can stream FOX live on DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

Getting a TV antenna to watch FOX is the cheapest long-term solution. A TV antenna is a one-time costs and lets you maintain a robust lineup of major sporting events, primetime broadcasts and local news.

Sling TV is the cheapest way to live stream a local FOX channel under the Blue package, but it’s only available in the 18 markets listed above. A subscription costs $40 per month, and has channels such as Discovery and USA Network.

Hulu Live TV is currently the best deal for watching FOX live without a cable subscription. The live TV service has more than 75 live TV channels, and includes ad-supported subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN+.

A subscription costs $76.99 per month. You can look over the channel lineup before deciding whether to sign up.

Updates

New prices were added to DIRECTV STREAM to reflect the upcoming price increases. Changes to prices and plans are regularly updated. 

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 published Dec. 3, 2017, and has been updated.