How to Watch Local Channels Live Without Cable

Updated on October 30, 2025 • Staff

Local channels are a great way to stay up-to-date on your local news, sports, and entertainment. Thankfully, you don't have to lose them when you cut the cord. This is a summary of the best streaming services that carry local channels:

  • Sling TV: ABC, NBC, and FOX
  • DirecTV Stream: ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, PBS, The CW, Telemundo, Univision, and Unimas
  • Fubo: ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, The CW, and Telemundo
  • Hulu with Live TV: ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, The CW, Telemundo, Univision, and Unimas
  • Paramount+ Premium: CBS
  • Peacock Premium Plus: NBC
  • YouTube TV: ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, PBS, The CW, Telemundo, Univision, and Unimas

You can read more about these services, their pros and cons, and even their alternatives in the list below.

$84.99/month | 86 channels | 7 days free trial

Fubo
Fubo is a live TV streaming service that carries national and local channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and Telemundo. In the last couple of years, however, the service failed to reach an agreement with some companies, so it no longer has Turner channels like TNT and TBS, Univision, and Unimas. That said, Fubo is still worth considering, especially if you're a fan of specialty and international sports. Next to DirecTV Stream, it also has the most RNS, including YES and Fanduel Sports. Pros
  • Has ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and Telemundo
  • Has a good number of RSNs
Cons
  • Expensive
  • No PBS, Univision, Unimas, and Turner channels
Go to Fubo
$45.99/month | 45 channels

Sling TV’s Blue Plan
The cord-cutting alternative Sling has two plans: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. The former has Disney and ESPN channels, but the latter is what you want if you're looking for local channels. Sling Blue carries ABC, FOX, and NBC in select markets. Depending on where you live, you could get all three (as those in LA, Chicago, New York, Philly, and San Francisco do) or you could get one or two. If you get even just a single local channel, Sling charges you an extra $5/month for broadcast fees. But even then, it's still cheaper than other live TV plans that offer more of the same. Pros
  • Offers ABC, NBC, and FOX
  • Relatively affordable
Cons
  • Local channels are only available in select markets
  • No CBS and PBS
  • No free trial
Go to Sling TV’s Blue Plan
$49.99/month | 137 channels | 5 days free trial

DirecTV Stream
When it comes to local channel coverage, it's hard to beat DirecTV Stream. It's available nationwide, and it offers the major networks, Spanish local channels, and RSNs like YES and Bally. It also streams these in high-def, which is why it's a favorite among sports fans in particular. However, DirecTV Stream is pricey, and though you can cancel a subscription at any point, miscellaneous fees can rack up. Pros
  • Has ABC, NBC, PBS, FOX, and CBS
  • Also has the most number of regional sports networks (RSNs) in this list
  • Offers a five-day free trial
Cons
  • Expensive
Go to DirecTV Stream
$82.99/month,increase to $89.99/month on October 21st, 2025 | 105 channels | 3 days free trial

Hulu with Live TV
Hulu with Live TV is a streaming bundle that offers 90 live channels along with Disney+, Hulu on-demand, and ESPN+ at no extra cost. Its offerings are varied enough (it carries all major broadcast networks and then some), but sports fans might be disappointed by the lack of RSN options. If that's a dealbreaker, then DirecTV Stream and Fubo are viable alternatives. Pros
  • Has ABC, CBS, FOX, PBS, and NBC
  • Also has Telemundo, Univision, and Unimas
  • Offers a three-day free trial
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Limited RSNs
Go to Hulu with Live TV
$7.99/month | 3 channels | 7 days free trial

Paramount+
Paramount+ is a streaming service that gives you access to original titles and basically anything under the wide Paramount umbrella. That includes properties from CBS, Nickelodeon, and, if you’re on the premium plan, Showtime. Another perk of being on the Paramount+ Premium plan? You get your local CBS channel, which in turn gives you access to NFL on CBS, CBS Sports, and your local news program. Paramount+ Premium (previously Paramount+ with Showtime) currently costs $12.99/month. Pros
  • Offers a weeklong free trial
  • Has your local CBS station
  • Available as an add-on to most live TV plans
Cons
  • Local CBS is only available on the premium plan
Go to Paramount+
$10.99/month | 75 channels

Peacock
Like Paramount+, Peacock offers a live feed of its parent channel to premium subscribers. Those on the Peacock Premium Plus plan, which costs $13.99/month, get to watch local NBC and all the sports, entertainment, and news programs that come with it. Of course, Peacock also offers on-demand titles, including originals like Love Island and Poker Face, sitcom favorites like The Office, and more. Pros
  • Offers a weeklong free trial
  • Has your local NBC station
Cons
  • Local NBC is only available on the premium plan
Go to Peacock
$82.99/month | 137 channels | 7 days free trial

YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a cord-cutting streaming package that carries your local ABC, FOX, NBC, and, thanks to a successful deal extension, CBS. It also has The CW, PBS, and Spanish-language channels like Telemundo and Univision. YouTube TV stands out because it's easy to use and has an impressive cloud DVR capacity. However, if you're a fan of local sports, beware: YouTube TV has a very limited number of RSNs. YouTube TV has tried to fill that gap with add-ons like the NBA League Pass and NFL Sunday Ticket. Pros
  • Has ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, The CW
  • Also has Telemundo, Univision, and Unimas
  • Offers a weeklong free trial
Cons
  • Picture quality can be low at times
  • Pricey
Go to YouTube TV
free

Tablo TV
If you're not one to subscribe to expensive streaming packages, then a simpler (and often cheaper) alternative is to get an antenna. An antenna receives signals from local channels like ABC, FOX, NBC, and CBS, which are being broadcast for free anyway, and lets you watch them on a TV. Tablo simply amplifies an antenna so you can watch live channels and DVR recordings on multiple devices, not just one. Depending on which features you want (built-in antenna, larger DVR storage, etc.), Tablo prices start from $70 to $130, but that's a one-time fee. No need to worry about monthly payments. Pros
  • One-time payment, then free streaming thereafter
  • Stronger signal and clearer picture quality than other tuners
Cons
  • Can be confusing to set up and figure out
Go to Tablo TV
$80/month | 74 channels | 7 days free trial

Spectrum TV Choice (only for Spectrum Internet customers)
Spectrum TV Choice is an internet television service that is available only by call-in and only to Charter Spectrum internet customers. The channels available to you will depend on your location, but usually you can choose 10 more channels to add to your plan. Please be careful that after 30 days, you might not be able to change the list of 10 channels you choose. You can read more in our dedicated explainer here: Spectrum TV Choice Explained: Plans, Pricing, Channels.
Go to Spectrum TV Choice (only for Spectrum Internet customers)
free

PBS App
The PBS app gives you access to all of PBS' programs, as well as a live feed of your local PBS channel. It's completely free (as a public channel should be), but if you want to get rid of ads and dive even deeper into the channel's expansive library, you can opt to pay $5/month for a PBS Passport. Pros
  • Free!
  • Along with the live channel, you can access PBS shows past and present from anywhere
  • A paid tier removes ads and gives you access to full seasons of shows
Cons
  • Can be slow and buggy
Go to PBS App
free

Air TV
Another option if you're going the antenna route is to get the AirTV by Sling. Like Tablo, it connects to your antenna to get you watching local channels and recording programs as you please. One notable difference, however, is that the AirTV more seamlessly integrates your OTA channels with your streaming channels (if you have them) using the Sling app. A Sling TV subscription isn't required, but most users pair the AirTV with one to enjoy the best of what local and national TV have to offer. The latest AirTV devices also let you watch your OTA channels remotely. Depending on which model and bundle you get, AirTV can cost anywhere between $50 to $100. Pros
  • One-time payment, then free streaming thereafter
  • Allows remote OTA viewing
  • Smooth integration of streaming channels and live channels
  • Users get a seven-day free trial of Sling TV
Cons
  • Some users have reported inconsistent picture quality
  • Weaker signal than other tuners
Go to Air TV
Enjoy 50% off Sling TV

Includes ESPN, ABC, Fox, and more. Cancel anytime.

50% off Sling
Enjoy 50% off Sling TV

Includes ESPN, ABC, Fox, and more. Cancel anytime.

50% off Sling

What is the cheapest way to watch local channels without cable?

The cheapest streaming service to offer local channels is Sling Blue. At just $46/month (+$5 in broadcast fees), you get ABC, FOX, and NBC depending on where you live. The free PBS app also offers a live feed of your local PBS, if you’re only interested in the one channel.

However for most people, it makes the most sense to purchase an antenna like Air TV or Tablo. The initial price might be a lot, but you won’t have to pay anything after that, saving you hundreds of dollars down the line.