Local channels come through an antenna, a streaming service, or both

Local TV channels—the ones that broadcast network news, weather, and sports from your area—reach your home through three main routes. An over-the-air antenna picks them up for free once you buy the hardware. Streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV carry local channels in most markets but charge a monthly fee. Some people use both: an antenna for the channels they watch most, and a streaming service for everything else.

Which route works best depends on what channels you want, whether you already pay for streaming, and how much you are willing to spend upfront. An antenna costs $20 to $100 one time. A streaming service runs $55 to $75 per month. Neither requires a contract or a technician visit.

Key Takeaways

  • An over-the-air antenna receives local channels broadcast free in your area, though signal strength depends on your distance from the broadcast tower and obstacles like buildings or trees.
  • Streaming services that carry local channels include YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV, but local channel availability varies by zip code and service.
  • You can check which local channels broadcast in your area and whether a streaming service carries them by entering your zip code on the service's website.
  • An antenna works best for viewers who want free local news and sports; a streaming service works best for viewers who want local channels plus cable channels and on-demand content.
  • Many households use both an antenna and a streaming service, using the antenna for frequent viewing and the service for backup or cable channels.

How an over-the-air antenna works

An antenna receives broadcast signals sent from towers in your area. The major networks—ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox—all broadcast their local stations this way. Once you plug in an antenna and scan for channels on your TV, you get those stations free, with no monthly bill and no internet connection required.

Signal strength depends on three things: how far you live from the broadcast tower, what direction the tower is, and what is between you and the tower. A house 10 miles from the tower in a clear line of sight will pick up channels easily. A house 30 miles away or blocked by hills, tall buildings, or dense trees may struggle or get no signal at all. You can check the signal strength in your specific address using the FCC's TV coverage map at fcc.gov/media/engineering/television-broadcast-stations or third-party tools like TVFool.com.

Antenna types range from small indoor models ($20 to $40) to larger outdoor models ($60 to $100). Indoor antennas work well if you are close to towers and have few obstacles. Outdoor antennas pull in weaker signals and work better for rural areas or homes far from broadcast towers. Most antennas connect to your TV's coaxial input or use an HDMI adapter.

Which streaming services carry local channels

YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV all carry local channels in many markets. Local channel availability is not the same everywhere—your zip code determines which channels each service offers. Before you pay for a service, enter your zip code on its website to see exactly which local channels you would receive.

YouTube TV carries ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox in most major markets and many smaller ones. Hulu + Live TV does the same. Sling TV carries fewer local channels in fewer markets, so check your zip code first. FuboTV focuses on sports and carries local channels in select areas. All four services also include cable channels like CNN, ESPN, and HGTV, plus on-demand libraries and cloud DVR.

Monthly costs range from $55 for Sling TV to $75 for YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. FuboTV runs $80 to $110 depending on the plan. Most services offer a trial period—usually 3 to 7 days—so you can test whether your local channels come through before you commit to a subscription.

Checking local channel availability in your area

Before you buy an antenna or sign up for a streaming service, confirm which local channels broadcast or stream in your zip code. For an antenna, use the FCC's map or TVFool.com. Enter your address, and the tool shows which towers are nearby, the signal strength you can expect, and which channels each tower broadcasts.

For streaming services, visit each service's website and look for a "Check availability" or "See local channels" tool. Enter your zip code, and the service displays which ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox affiliates it carries in your area. Some services also carry PBS and The CW. If a service does not carry your local NBC station, for example, that service will not work for you unless you pair it with an antenna.

Write down the call letters of the local channels you want most—for example, WABC for ABC in New York or KOMO for ABC in Seattle. Then cross-check those call letters against what each service offers. This step takes 10 minutes and saves you from paying for a service that does not carry the channels you need.

Antenna placement and setup

Where you place an antenna matters more than which model you buy. An antenna works best when it points toward the broadcast tower and sits as high as possible—in an attic, on a roof, or in a window facing the tower direction. If you live in an apartment, a window-mounted antenna often works better than one sitting on a shelf.

After you plug in the antenna, run a channel scan on your TV. Most TVs have a "Scan for channels" or "Auto-tune" option in the settings menu. The TV searches for all available signals and saves them to your channel list. If you do not find many channels, try moving the antenna to a different location—even a few feet can change signal strength. Some people use a motorized antenna that rotates to point at different towers, though this adds $100 to $200 to the cost.

If you get some channels but not others, the missing channels may be broadcasting from a different direction. You can buy a splitter and run two antennas pointing different ways, then combine the signals. This is less common but works when one antenna cannot reach all the towers you need.

Combining an antenna with a streaming service

Many households use both an antenna and a streaming service. The antenna handles local channels and costs nothing per month. The streaming service provides cable channels, on-demand content, and a backup if the antenna signal drops. This setup costs $55 to $75 per month plus the one-time antenna cost, which is often less than a cable bill.

If you already subscribe to YouTube TV or another streaming service for cable channels, check whether it carries your local channels before buying an antenna. If it does, you may not need the antenna. If it does not, an antenna fills the gap. Some viewers keep an antenna as a backup—if the internet goes down, they still have local news and weather.

Another option is to use a streaming service for local channels and an antenna for cable channels, though this is less common because most cable channels do not broadcast over the air. The antenna-plus-streaming combo works best when the antenna covers local channels and the service covers everything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an internet connection to use an antenna?

No. An antenna receives broadcast signals directly from towers and does not need internet, a cable box, or a subscription. You plug it into your TV and scan for channels. The only requirement is that your TV has a tuner, which all modern TVs do.

Can I get local channels if I live far from the broadcast tower?

It depends on the distance and obstacles. If you live 40 or more miles from the tower with hills or trees in the way, an antenna may not work. Check the FCC map or TVFool.com for your address to see the expected signal strength. If the signal is weak, a streaming service is usually your better option.

What if a streaming service does not carry my local NBC station?

You can pair the streaming service with an antenna to get that NBC station over the air. Enter your zip code on the FCC map to confirm the station broadcasts in your area, then buy an antenna. Many people use this combination—antenna for local channels the service does not carry, streaming service for everything else.

Do I have to pay for local channels on a streaming service?

Yes. Streaming services include local channels as part of their monthly subscription, not as an add-on. You cannot buy local channels alone on most services. An antenna is the only way to get local channels without a monthly fee.

Can I use the same antenna for multiple TVs?

One antenna can serve multiple TVs if you split the signal. You buy a coaxial splitter (about $10), connect the antenna to the splitter, then run coaxial cable from the splitter to each TV. Signal strength may drop slightly with each split, so this works best if you live close to the broadcast tower.