Watch local channels through streaming services, your broadcaster's app, or free over-the-air streams
You can watch your local news, weather, and network shows online through several routes that don't require a cable subscription. The fastest option is usually your local broadcaster's own app or website — NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox all let you stream their local stations free if you live in a covered market. Paid streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV carry local channels in most U.S. markets and let you watch on any device. A third option is a digital antenna connected to a computer or streaming device, which pulls free over-the-air broadcasts and lets you watch or record them.
Which route works best depends on what you want to watch, what devices you own, and whether you're willing to pay. Local broadcaster apps are free but only show recent episodes and live streams. Paid services cost $55 to $75 per month but include hundreds of channels plus cloud recording. Antennas are a one-time $20 to $100 purchase but only work if your home receives a strong signal from your local broadcast towers.
Key Takeaways
- Your local NBC, ABC, CBS, or Fox station has its own free app where you can watch live broadcasts and recent episodes without paying.
- Streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV carry local channels in most markets and cost $55 to $75 per month, but let you watch on any device and record shows to watch later.
- A digital antenna plugged into a TV or streaming device pulls free over-the-air broadcasts, but only works if your address receives a strong signal from local broadcast towers.
- Not all local channels are available through all services — check your specific market and the channels you want before signing up.
- Streaming services usually let you watch on two to four devices at once, while broadcaster apps typically allow one stream per account.
Using your local broadcaster's free app or website
The easiest free option is to read the app for your local station directly. Search your device's app store for your city name plus the network — for example, "NBC New York" or "ABC Los Angeles" — and read the official station app. Open it, create a free account with your email, and you can watch the live stream during broadcast hours and on-demand episodes for up to a week after they air.
This method works on phones, tablets, and some streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV. The catch is that you can only watch recent content — usually the last seven days of shows — and you're limited to one stream per account. If you want to watch older episodes or record shows to watch later, you'll need a paid service or an antenna instead.
Some stations also let you watch through their website without downloading an app. Go to your local station's website (for example, nbc.com or abc.com, then select your local market) and look for a "Watch Live" button. You may need to sign in with a cable or streaming service account to access full episodes, depending on the station's rules.
Streaming services that carry local channels
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV all include local broadcast channels in their base packages for most U.S. markets. YouTube TV costs around $72 per month and carries ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox in nearly all markets, plus about 85 other channels. Hulu + Live TV costs about $77 per month and includes the same local channels plus access to Hulu's on-demand library. Sling TV is cheaper at around $40 per month but may not carry all four major networks in your area — check your specific market before signing up.
The main advantage of a paid streaming service is that you can watch on multiple devices at once (usually two to four, depending on the service), record shows to your cloud library, and rewind or pause live TV. You also get access to hundreds of other channels beyond your local stations. The trade-off is the monthly cost and the fact that you need an internet connection to stream.
Before you sign up, check which local channels each service carries in your zip code. Most services have a tool on their website where you enter your address and see exactly which stations are available. This matters because some markets have gaps — for example, a service might carry ABC and NBC but not CBS in your area.
Using a digital antenna for free over-the-air broadcasts
A digital antenna is a one-time purchase that pulls free broadcast signals from the air and lets you watch local channels without paying a monthly fee. Antennas range from $20 to $100 depending on range and design. An indoor antenna works if you live close to broadcast towers; an outdoor antenna works from farther away and usually picks up more channels. Connect the antenna to your TV's coaxial input, run a channel scan, and you'll see all the free local channels your location receives.
The advantage is zero monthly cost and no internet required — you can watch live TV even if your internet goes down. The disadvantage is that you can only watch what's currently broadcasting, you can't record without a separate device, and the signal quality depends on your distance from broadcast towers and obstacles like buildings or trees. If you live in a rural area or far from towers, an antenna may not work well.
To use an antenna with a streaming device like Roku or Apple TV, you'll need a separate tuner box that converts the antenna signal to a format the device can read. Popular options include the HDHomeRun tuner, which costs $80 to $150 and lets you watch and record antenna broadcasts on any device in your home. This adds cost but gives you the flexibility of streaming while keeping the free broadcast signal.
Checking signal strength and channel availability in your area
Before you buy an antenna or sign up for a streaming service, find out which local channels actually broadcast to your address. Use the FCC's TV signal map at fcc.gov/media/engineering/television-broadcast-signal-map or a tool like TVFool.com. Enter your address and the tool shows you which broadcast towers are near you, how strong their signals are, and which channels they carry. This tells you whether an antenna will work and which channels you can expect to receive.
For streaming services, use the channel finder on each service's website. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV all have a tool where you enter your zip code and see exactly which local channels are available in your market. This is important because availability varies by region — a channel might be on YouTube TV in one state but not in another.
If you're on the border between two markets, you may be able to receive channels from both. An antenna can pick up signals from multiple towers, and some streaming services let you choose which market's local channels you want. Check your specific address before making a decision.
Comparing costs and features side by side
| Method | Monthly Cost | Setup Cost | Local Channels Included | Recording Available | Devices Supported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcaster app (free) | $0 | $0 | Yes, live and recent episodes | No | Phone, tablet, some streaming devices |
| YouTube TV | ~$72 | $0 | Yes, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox in most markets | Yes, unlimited cloud storage | Phone, tablet, TV, computer, most streaming devices |
| Hulu + Live TV | ~$77 | $0 | Yes, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox in most markets | Yes, 50 hours cloud storage | Phone, tablet, TV, computer, most streaming devices |
| Sling TV | ~$40 | $0 | Varies by market; may not include all four major networks | Yes, 50 hours cloud storage | Phone, tablet, TV, computer, most streaming devices |
| Digital antenna | $0 | $20–$100 | Yes, all free over-the-air broadcasts in your area | No, unless paired with a tuner box | TV, or streaming device with tuner box |
| Antenna + HDHomeRun tuner | $0 | $100–$250 | Yes, all free over-the-air broadcasts in your area | Yes, with tuner box | Any device on your home network |
Troubleshooting common problems
If you're having trouble watching local channels, the first step is to check your internet connection. Streaming services need a stable connection of at least 5 Mbps for standard quality and 25 Mbps for 4K. Run a speed test at speedtest.net to see your current speed. If it's too slow, restart your router or move closer to it. If the problem persists, contact your internet provider.
If you're using an antenna and getting a weak signal, try moving it to a higher location, like a window or shelf closer to outside walls. Obstacles like metal, concrete, and trees block signals, so positioning matters. If you're still getting poor reception, an outdoor antenna or a more powerful indoor model may help. Check TVFool.com again to see if your location should receive the channel — if the signal strength is marked as weak or very weak, an antenna may not be reliable for that channel.
If a streaming service says a local channel isn't available in your market, double-check your zip code. Some services use zip code to determine your market, and entering the wrong one will show you channels from a different area. If you've entered the correct zip code and a channel still isn't available, that service doesn't carry it in your region — try a different service or use the broadcaster's free app instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch local channels on my phone with a streaming service?
Yes, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV all have apps for phones and tablets. You can watch live local channels and on-demand shows on any device as long as you have an internet connection. Most services let you watch on two to four devices at the same time, so you can watch on your phone while someone else watches on the TV.
Do I need a cable login to watch my local broadcaster's free app?
No. Your local station's official app is free and doesn't require a cable login. You create a free account with your email address. Some stations offer more content if you sign in with a cable or streaming service account, but the basic live stream and recent episodes are always free.
What if my local channels aren't available on YouTube TV in my market?
Check Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV using their channel finder tools — they may carry different channels in your area. If none of the major streaming services carry the channel you want, use your local broadcaster's free app or try a digital antenna if your address receives a strong signal.
Can I record shows from an antenna without buying extra equipment?
A standard antenna by itself doesn't record — it only lets you watch live broadcasts. To record antenna broadcasts, you need a separate tuner box like the HDHomeRun, which costs $80 to $150 and connects your antenna to your home network. Streaming services include recording as part of their service, so if recording is important to you, a paid service may be worth the cost.
Will a digital antenna work in an apartment?
It depends on your location and which broadcast towers are nearby. Use TVFool.com to check the signal strength at your address. If the map shows strong signals from nearby towers, an indoor antenna should work. If signals are weak or blocked by buildings, you may need an outdoor antenna or a streaming service instead.