How to Watch Local Network Channels Without Cable

Most people don’t need a streaming service to watch local broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS and dozens of sub-channels.  

You can watch the most popular TV shows, news and live sports on local broadcast channels for free using a TV antenna. No subscription is required to tap into over-the-air TV. You just need a little know-how.

It’s surprising how few people are aware that the coax port in the back of TVs isn’t just for a cable box. It doubles as the port for a TV antenna. This article explains how to get local broadcast channels without a cable TV or satellite service.

TV Antenna: Free local channels without cable

The easiest way to get free local TV stations without cable is with a TV antenna. 

Checking to see if you’re close to broadcast towers is easy. Head over to the Federal Trade Commission’s DTV Reception Maps tool. Punch in your zip code or address and push the “Go!” button.

You’ll get a detailed channel listing based on your zip code of local broadcasters using the UHF and VHF band. The FCC relies on its own Television Market Area (TMA) data for the Reception Maps tool. TMA data is used to regulate media markets, so you know you are getting accurate information.

Connecting a TV antenna to a Smart TV or non-Smart TV is pretty simple, especially if you’re using an indoor TV antenna. Just plug one into the coax port on the back of your TV. Under settings, you will need to look for an “Air TV” or “Over-the-air” option and scan for channels. 

The capabilities of an indoor TV antenna should never be conflated with an outdoor antenna. Why? Outdoor antennas are generally elevated high off the ground and have a better chance at receiving OTA signals. 

However, choosing a well-made one that will maximize your channel lineup can be challenging because of companies that over-promise what they can do. 

It’s important that you invest in a quality TV antenna from a well-established brand. No matter what, avoid the cheaply made models that claim outlandish ranges (e.g. “100+ miles”, “250 miles”, etc.). 

The Federal Trade Commission did shut down one company that sold TV antennas while making false and misleading claims. But there are many other companies making outlandish claims that have gone unchecked. 

Free local channels without a TV antenna

A number of local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations have their own apps available on Smart TVs and streaming devices.

Using these apps can give you decent local news coverage, but it is not a solution that gives you all the primetime TV shows and programming from your local broadcast networks.

You can find these apps by doing a broad search for a station (e.g. NBC), or by searching for a station using its call sign. For example, the local NBC station in Boston is NBC10 Boston. Most of these apps have local newscasts, weather reports and sports coverage.

The Local Now app also carries a live stream of PBS and several state and regional news stations. 

Streaming Local Channels: ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC

There are a number of ways you can replace a cable TV or pricey satellite TV service with a streaming service. All you need is an Internet subscription, and a streaming device or Smart TV.

You can get local channels and cable networks such as ESPN and CNN. Here is a quick rundown of what kind of local channels you can find on these services.  

Fubo

Fubo (formerly fuboTV) streams local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX as part of a 180+ channel bundle. These are the same local networks that you would get by using a TV antenna or cable provider.  

Fubo has a free 7-day trial, and works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV streaming devices. A subscription costs $69.99 per month. There is no contract. Customers can subscribe on a month-to-month basis. 

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV has ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS as part of a bundle with more than 90 TV channels. This live TV service also has cable-TV staples such as A&E, ESPN and TNT.

A subscription costs $76.99 per month, and includes ESPN+ and Disney+.

Subscribers get unlimited hours of Cloud DVR, and unlimited access to the on-demand Hulu library that people pay $7.99 per month for. That includes Hulu Originals such as The Handmaid’s Tale. 

There is no contract. Customers can subscribe on a month-to-month basis.

Sling TV

Sling TV has limited NBC, ABC, and FOX coverage in the Blue channel bundle.

There are two main channel bundles to choose from. The Sling Orange plan has about 34 channels with no local broadcast networks. Only the Sling Blue plan carries local NBC, ABC, and FOX in a small number of markets. 

A subscription costs $40 per month for one of the main channel bundles. There is no contract. Customers can subscribe on a month-to-month basis.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV has PBS, ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX as part of a 128 channel bundle. ESPN, A&E, CNN and TNT are among its popular cable channels. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR and can steam on

A subscription costs $72.99 per month. There is no contract. Customers can subscribe on a month-to-month basis.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM has local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX as part of its Entertainment channel bundle. ESPN, HGTV, Nickelodeon and TNT are among the popular channels in the Entertainment package.

Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR, and 90,000 on-demand shows and movies.  

A subscription costs $79.99 per month. There is no contract. Customers can subscribe on a month-to-month basis. You can start watching local channels on a Smart TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, PC, an iPhone (with current iOS) or an Android smartphone. 

DIRECTV STREAM offers a 5-day free trial.

Local news, weather channels

A wide variety of local news channels are available through apps on Smart TVs and streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, and Apple TV. Let’s dive into some examples of what I use.

NewsON has more than 275 local TV stations across the U.S. So you can watch local newscasts from the four major broadcast networks from Los Angeles to smaller markets in Maine or New York. You can find your local newscasts just like you still had cable, but without footing the bill.

The Local Now app is the best way to quickly get local weather forecasts. The free streaming service is a spinoff of The Weather Channel, and carries several state and regional news stations.

Tubi carries scores of local news feeds from around the U.S. These feeds have both live or recently recorded newscasts. 

Haystack News is a really elegant way to get news feeds from local ABC and CBS channels along with international news feeds. It’s a quick way to look at the local weather in your area, and find out what’s happening across the world.

To get the most out of Haystack, you should sign-in either with a Facebook or Google profile. Make sure you pick your local town or city you live in, and what local stations you want to see in your live stream.

Haystack has more than 300 local, national and international news streams, and it’s all free.

TV shows from NBC on Peacock

Peacock, the new streaming service from NBCUniversal, carries current seasons of NBC shows, news and sports. 

Peacock has two subscription plans, but you need the more expensive of the two to stream your local NBC channel. 

Peacock Premium ($7.99 per month) has movies and TV shows. New episodes of NBC shows air one day after they appear on cable. Most shows from MSNBC are now available to Premium subscribers a few hours after airing on cable. 

Peacock Premium Plus ($13.99 per month) has all the same shows and movies, but removes most advertising except for a select few. The Premium Plus plan now carries local NBC stations in all 210 TV markets.

Peacock has highlights and full episodes from MSNBC shows, “Meet the Press”, CNBC, E! News and “Noticias Telemundo.”

CBS TV shows On Paramount+

Paramount+ streams a live local CBS channel in most markets across the U.S. 

First launched as CBS All Access, this streaming service now has a growing library of movies, and shows from CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and Smithsonian Channel.

A subscription to the Essential plan costs $7.99 per month, and you can look over shows and movies now on the service. 

Subscribers to the Paramount Plus with Showtime have a local CBS station, the full Showtime library, and 4K HDR streaming for $12.99 per month. 

Paramount Plus has a free 7-day trial for either plan. 

TV shows from FOX, ABC and NBC through Hulu

If you just want local channels to watch a favorite show on ABC, or FOX, Hulu on-demand is a cheap alternative to a TV antenna. 

At $7.99 per month, you get some coverage of the latest comedies, dramas and reality TV shows. 

Hulu is also an inexpensive way to catch up on past seasons from cable channels such as A&E, and History. You can sign up for a 30-day free trial.

PBS Video app

The PBS app has a live, local TV feed, and a robust lineup of on-demand content, from news to TV shows.

You can get free access to local programming through the app. No cable sign-in is needed. There is a simple sign-up process that you can complete on a smartphone, tablet or PC.

Once the app knows your nearby PBS station, you will get access to whatever programming appears on the local ​channel.

For access to the full library of TV shows, then you’ll need to subscribe to PBS Passport. But if you’re watching shows a day or two after airing, then the free content is just as good as having a local channel without paying for a cable TV subscription.

Watch Local Channels on Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku

If you are using a Roku or Amazon Fire TV, there are a few different ways you can watch free local channels using a TV antenna.

With a Roku TV, you can simply plug your TV antenna into the coaxial port in the back of the television and scan for channels. Roku TVs have a built-in channel guide that services free over-the-air channels and free streaming channels offered by Roku.

Otherwise, you can use a TV antenna and connect it to a HDHomeRun DVR or a Tablo OTA DVR to stream free over-the-air channels through their respective apps on Roku and Fire TV. 

Get Local Channels: Summary

1) Use a TV antenna – It’s the easiest way to get local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, Telemundo and The CW for free.

2) Without a TV antenna, you can rely on Peacock for streaming a local NBC station. Paramount Plus with Showtime allows you to stream a local CBS station.

3) Stream local channels through DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Vidgo and YouTube TV.

4) Use free apps such as NewsOn, Local Now and Tubi for local news and weather. 

5) Watch TV shows from local broadcast channels using the PBS app and Hulu.