Most cord-cutters know there are plenty of ways to watch popular movies and television shows without cable. Netflix and Hulu have made it easy to check out big-budget Hollywood films, and services like Max have freed TV binge-watchers from the clutches of the cable companies. But what about local content? Many cord-cutters don't know how to watch local channels without cable, and may not even realize they can.
The truth is that you have a bunch of ways to watch local channels online and over the air. Thanks to the rise in skinny bundles and the resurgence in popularity of over-the-air TV, cord- cutters are once again enjoying local news and other local programming without having to crawl back to traditional pay-TV providers like cable and satellite companies. This is our complete guide to watching local channels without cable.
How to Watch Local Channels Online and Over the Air Without Cable
There are three basic ways to get your local channels without signing up with a traditional pay- TV provider like a cable or satellite company. We'll cover each of them in the list below, starting with a group that may require a bit of explanation: skinny bundles.
Skinny bundles are streaming solutions that resemble cable and satellite subscriptions almost everywhere except for on your monthly bill. Skinny bundles tend to be slimmer than cable packages (hence the name), ditching some of the less important channels and keeping a core group of popular networks available for far less than the cable giants charge. Among the key channels featured in these slimmed-down bundles are local major network (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) affiliates from around the country. The bad news is that availability of live local major network feeds will vary by region, but the good news is that it's easy to check out the selection in your region.
Here's all the ways you can watch local channels without cable today:
Can I Watch Local Channels on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast?
You can watch your local channels on a variety of devices, especially when you're traveling away from your TV at home. Whether you have a Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, or anything in between, you can catch your favorite local channels.
Speaking of different devices and platforms, be sure to check out our device-specific guides for even more information on how to watch local channels online:
The bulk of this article has covered what’s known as the Big Four Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. But there’s at least one more English-language network that’s worth mentioning, even though it’s not mentioned as regularly as the other four: “The CW.” The network is known for shows like “Riverdale” and “Supergirl” that often appeal to a younger audience than, say, “Blue Bloods” on CBS. But there’s stuff to like on CW no matter your age, so check out our guide to watching the CW without cable to get more info.
Smart TVs usually need an antenna to pick up local channels. They often have built-in tuners for over-the-air signals, but you still need an antenna. If you're connected to the internet, though, you might access local channels through streaming services without an antenna.
LocalBTV is local TV for the mobile age. With LocalBTV, you can watch local TV stations on your smartphone or laptop, or by streaming to your TV —simply launch and you're live! LocalBTV is available in 53 US markets with more coming soon!
Does Amazon Prime Video Have Local Channels? Amazon Prime Video doesn't offer any local channels directly. However, you can add some through secondary subscriptions. Note that these will cost extra on top of the cost of Prime Video.
You don't need a cable box or a pesky antenna to get local TV channels. Keep up with everything happening in your neck of the woods by streaming the top local broadcast channels, including ABC,* NBC,* and CBS* with a Hulu + Live TV subscription.
While smart TVs typically come with built-in antennas, they are used for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity — not for picking up free over-the-air channels.
Simply attach the antenna's coaxial cable into the plug labeled “Antenna/Cable” on the back of your television set. If your TV is older than that, you'll definitely need a digital tuner of some kind: either a VCR, DVD, or DVR with a digital tuner, or a digital converter box.
The cheapest live TV services for cord-cutting are the free ones like Pluto TV and Tubi. These are called "FAST" streaming services (Free Advertising Supported Streaming Television). The cheapest cable alternatives are Philo, Sling TV, Frndly TV, and Paramount+.
Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
