10 Ways to Watch Local TV Without Cable

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woman watching tv

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to watch local tv without paying for cable?

Watching television can be expensive. Cable TV packages range in price from $40 or more for a very basic package to $150+ for comprehensive packages.

A large cable or satellite TV package can really make a dent in the average budget. As a result, people often seek out ways to watch local TV without cable.

There may be dozens of local TV channels available for viewing in your area that you can access for free. Here are some of the best ways to access them without having a cable or satellite TV subscription.

How to Get Local Channels Without Cable

When researching local cable company pricing for this post, I found that most of the cable companies where I live charge $60 per month just for viewing local TV channels.  

Bigger packages started at about $75 per month, and that didn’t include taxes, fees, installation charges, and monthly equipment rental fees.

As you can see, a cable or satellite TV package can get expensive quickly, even when you just want to have a better quality reception to watch local TV channels.

So, what are your alternatives? Here are some top ideas.

1. Get an HD Antenna

Using an HD antenna takes a bit of money and a bit of knowledge as well. It matters where you place your antenna.

Using this cool website called Antenna Web, I did an address search of our country home to find out how many channels we could get if we hooked up an HD antenna.

When I typed in our address without checking the box stating that the antenna would be installed at least 30 feet above the ground, it said we could get 52 local channels by using an HD antenna.

Bonus, when we install the antenna at least thirty feet above the ground, we could get 55 local channels.

It’s not a big difference in the number of channels, depending on what those other three channels broadcasted.

Even without installing the antenna at thirty feet or above, we could view some channels that were 40-plus miles away from our house.

2. Watch Local Channels Online

You may be able to watch your local channels online from your computer if you have Internet access.

Big local stations such as:

  • CBS
  • NBC
  • ABC

Often, they offer free online viewing of the shows they air.  However, the ability to livestream shows on national networks such as these may or may not be available depending on different factors.

For instance, when I tried to watch live shows on ABC from my home computer, the site told me that live streaming wasn’t available in my area.

3. Get Sling TV

Sling TV is a streaming service similar to Netflix or Hulu as it is accessed via your Internet connection. Unlike similar streaming services, Sling TV specializes in streaming live TV shows instead of on-demand shows.

In that way, Sling is similar to cable or satellite TV companies.

Sling TV offers three packages:

  • The Orange package for $40 a month (Includes ESPN)
  • The Blue package for $40 a month (Includes Fox Sports)
  • The combination Orange/Blue package for $55 a month

It’s important to note as well that a Sling TV package might not contain all of the local channels in your area.

Their website states that channels such as FOX, NBC and ABC are only available in select markets.

Sling TV can be a good alternative to cable TV, but it might not be able to give you access to all of your local channels like an antenna would.

They are currently running a promotion to get SlingTV for $10 for the first month!

4. Download a Mobile App

Many local stations offer mobile apps for watching local TV shows on your smartphone or other mobile devices for free.

The CBS, ABC, NBC, and CW apps allow you to stream local TV shows on your mobile app without the need for a subscription or a cable or satellite hookup.

It’s important to note that each app works a bit differently. The CBS app allows viewers to see full episodes of their favorite CBS shows on-demand the day after they air.

However, if you want access to live streaming or to their full archives, you’ll have to pay for their Paramount+ package which I talked about earlier.

Paramount+ has packages starting at $4.99 per month.

5. Get Hulu

Hulu is a popular streaming service that helps you watch local channels for as little as $5 per month. With Hulu, you can watch local channels, movie channels, and more.

Local channel prime-time shows and other show episodes are available for streaming the day after they air. Hulu does come with commercials, but you can pay an extra $6 per month and go ad-free.

You can also upgrade to Hulu Live TV for $54.99 per month and watch episodes as they air. Hulu has thousands of movies and TV episodes to choose from.

And all subscriptions come with a free 30-day trial.

There are no hidden fees or equipment rentals, and you can switch plans or cancel anytime.

Learn More: Hulu Vs. Hulu Plus: Which Is Best For You?

6. Watch YouTube TV

YouTube TV is one of the latest additions to the streaming world. With YouTube TV, you can watch local channels, entertainment, sports, news, and more.

When you subscribe to YouTube TV you can add up to six accounts.

Depending on the area you live in, you could have access to 85 channels or more with YouTube TV.

YouTube TV has local channels and many other cable channel favorites too, depending on the area you live in.

The one caveat: YouTube TV is a bit spendy at $64.99 per month. But they do offer a free 7-day trial for new subscribers. And even at $64.99 per month, YouTube TV is cheaper than many cable company subscription packages.  

7. Fubo TV

Fubo TV provides access to live sports and TV without cable. With access to 100+ channels, you can access your favorite shows live or on demand. In addition, a Fubo subscription includes access to a cloud DVR.

Fubo has four packages:

  • Pro ($74.99 per month) – Includes 141 channels
  • Elite ($84.99 per month) – Includes 205 channels, plus extra News and Fubo channels
  • Ultimate ($94.99 per month) – Includes 244 channels, plus extra News and Fubo channels, Showtime, and Sports Plus
  • Latino ($32.99 per month) – 46 channels

All plans include 1,000 hours of DVR space and ten unlimited screens at home, except for the Latino package, which consists of 250 hours of cloud DVR service and two screens at once.

8. Peacock

Peacock is a low-cost way to watch local TV without cable, and it is owned by NBC Universal. You can stream on three devices simultaneously and have up to six profiles. You’ll get access to their exclusive content, next-day airings of shows on NBC, Bravo, and Telemundo, and live sports.

Peacock subscriptions also include access to daily live news and late-night shows. Peacock is available on most devices, including Apple and Android TV, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, and Vizio Smart TV.

You can stream it on PCs, mobile devices, and most game consoles.

Peacock has two packages:

  • Premium ($4.99 per month) – Access to 80,000+ exclusive content, next-day shows from NBC and Bravo, live sports, and 50+ channels
  • Plus ($9.99 per month) – Includes everything in Premium Plus, and you can download shows to watch offline and won’t have ads

9. Puffer

Puffer is a free TV plan backed by the Stanford University research department. Its purpose is to understand and improve video-streaming algorithms to reduce glitches, eliminate stalls, and improve the streaming experience.

By streaming Puffer, you’re helping the research department and getting access to free TV. The catch is that you can only access the free networks NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, and CW.

Puffer also only works on internet browsers and Android phones. It doesn’t work on iPhones or iPads. 

10. Paramount+

Paramount+ offers an extensive library of exclusive shows and movies, plus provides access to the hottest channels you’d pay much for to watch on cable, such as Nickelodeon, CBS, Comedy Central, and MTV.

Sports fanatics will love the live sports content on Paramount+, including NFL, UEFA, and NWSL.

Users can stream on up to three devices simultaneously, and everyone can have an individual profile. Most shows stream commercial-free, too, except live TV.

Paramount+ has two packages:

  • Essential ($4.99 per month) – Access to thousands of exclusive content, NFL and soccer live, 24/7 live news on CBS, and limited ads
  • Premium ($9.99 per month) – Includes everything from Premium plus no ads, access to your local CBS station live, and you can download shows to watch offline

Summary

Considering the wide variety of ways you can watch local TV without cable or satellite, it’s just one more reason to cut the cord and stop paying for expensive cable TV packages.

Using the information above can help you determine which route to watch local channels is the most cost-effective and convenient for you.

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81 Comments

  1. I have an old Sony tv which in the ninetees was called HD high definition, a term that has different meaning for the newer tvs. How can I get it to work again just for the local channels without cable? Do I need to buy a digital converter plus an antenna, or one or the other?

  2. Jennifer Calhoun says:

    I live in Millsap,Texas and I am ready to ditch the satellite dish, as it is fairly expensive. I am thinking of trying a roku stick service from Amazon or a fire stick. Which is better? It is a rural area and I am searching for the best option for myself and two family members other than a satellite dish or cable. I have internet.

  3. Doris Highsmith says:

    Thanks for ur info as I am deaf!!

  4. Susan White says:

    I’m also tired of paying 140 a month for cable and only watch 5 or 6 channels but where I live is a hill behind me and I would have to put an antenna 30 feet up in the air to get local channels. Didn’t have this problem with analog tv. I think they did away with analog to make the cable companies richer. Don’t mind watching my shows a day late, I do that with some of them now, but weather is something I want when it’s happening. Any good ideas?

  5. My house is in the woods 50 miles north of minneapolis/st paul. My internet service is a small dish, placed on the edge of my neighbors crop field and is pointed at the town water tower 5 miles away, 3mb service is $60/month.I hate dish network at $84/month, for lower level service. My question is about connecting TV’s. We use the hopper with sling. We have the dish coming to our bedroom where we rarely watch, and the living room is connected wirelessly to the bedroom. re wiring is not a good option. Before we bought here 4 years ago, it had been a rented place the previous 7 years and I took out hundreds of feet of cable and several dishes. Are their products available to match my current setup?

  6. i have been reading all the ?โ€™s and answers etc..I bought a toshiba HD tv with fire stick in it…so, my cable company tells me they only support Roku..they were bold enough to say fire TV was no good. Ok, thanks. I want to just get interest and wifi and only want limited channels 5, 7 and Hallmark. I want to be able to record, but now I use a DVR I rent from Comcast. I know there is a way, but I do not know what it is.. Anyone that may be able to help, I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much.

  7. There needs to be a clear distinction between streaming actual local stations (those with the W or K in their callsign) vs the network they are affiliated. For example: I live in Tampa and my favorite station is the CBS affiliate WTSP. Their website is focused on their newscenter and only have live streams when they are broadcasting the local news.
    I also clicked on the network links you had for item 2 Watch Local Channels Online. For CBS, that brought me to the network website. CBS will let you stream recent episodes of their broadcasted TV shows for free, but only to a PC and only a day later. Nowhere was there a way to stream my local affiliate. For Amazon Firestick, they have the app built in, but you have to subscribe to CBS’s All Access subscription. And guess what? The subscription is a few dollars a month more expensive on Firestick than through a PC!

    So bottom line is that really it seems your only option for getting local channels is with an antenna, and not so much with streaming. If you want to stream, you have to stream it yourself from your antenna.

    And if you think of it, to get all the channels you would get with cable/satellite might cost you as much as the cable or satellite once you add the costs of all the services.

    1. Each option in the article gives a specific breakdown of what is available! If you’re looking to stream a lot of different services then cable or an alternative service that has all of the channels is most likely your best option. However, some people only watch one or two specific channels so just subscribing to that one channel might be the best option for them!

  8. NBC has been taken away by DirecTV in southwest MI.

    1. I’m sorry to hear that. If you really want to watch it, you might have to look for an alternative way to do so. We have other posts on this site that might help. Be sure to check them out!

  9. glenn roderick says:

    I’m interested in the package deal, orange blue sling, and that is $40 for up to 3 TV’s. Do I need to get an internet connection separately?

    1. The best way to find out everything that you need is to go to their site. They should have information that tells you what is needed. If not, feel free to send them an email to find out. You should be able to find their contact information on their site.

  10. Hi I recently purchased an RCA 45 range antenna. However, I’m unable to pick up anything but ABC channel 7, so I’m getting ready to purchase a 60 my range hoping that it will do the trick. Do you have any suggestions?

    1. There are lots of factors when dealing with antennas. It could be the range, but you also have to consider the area where you live. For instance, are you in a valley or low spot? Or, could there be tall structures in the way that are causing interference? These are things that might affect your reception. Also, I assume you’ve already checked to ensure that the use of an antenna will get you the channels you are wanting. I hope your new antenna works. But just in case, you could do some checking with the seller or manufacturer first to ensure you have the right one for the job or that you can return it if it doesn’t work. Good luck!

  11. Brenda Collins says:

    I’ve spent a lot of money buying worthless antennas. They all claimed they work but when I hooked them up the way they said, nothing worked! For them to work, you have to be in a big city or just outside of one. They are all in the trash now and useless. It’s the dumbest thing they ever did. Now people can’t even watch TV. Don’t give me the, “No, you did something wrong”. I even called them and it still didn’t help. It’s good for cable and internet because they are making a killing off it. Those who don’t want it don’t have TV due to this fact. I don’t want cable or internet and it’s only for my husband. For something to watch, I want something that works.

    1. I hope you tried to send them back or get your money back before simply tossing them in the garbage. Thanks for your comments and I hope you find a cheaper alternative than cable.

  12. The best option is BCE Premium TV.

  13. To answer several people’s questions from my experience: 1) The antenna option doesn’t work for me. I’m in a canyon on the backside of the mountain and can only get 2 stations – one Spanish and one English (PBS); 2) Yes, your data will go through the roof, especially if you upgrade to 4K. I have unlimited data through my cellular service with a microcell, like a hotspot for my house WiFi. That being said, I used 51GB in the last week on just that device; 3) You can use Chromecast to mirror your phone. Newer TV’s have HDMI connections to your laptop, but you are still using data; 4) DirecTV streams local channels and Sling tells you to get an antenna. Local apps only work if you have a subscription to a carrier, which defeats the purpose.

  14. How do you mirror from a smartphone to your TV? I don’t have a computer with internet.

    1. Depending on the make and model of your phone, you might be able to do it without purchasing anything. For instance, I think some Samsung phones have the capability built in. Regardless of the kind of phone you have, go to your settings on your phone and you can check for mirroring capability. If you have a manual that came with your phone, it might tell you also. Or, you could check with your service provider to see if it can be done. In addition, you might be able to do it by purchasing a Roku, Chromecast, or other device that enables you to do it if your phone doesn’t have the option available.

  15. I thought everything going HD was why we had to get digital converters for the older TVs. The government actually gave them out for free for awhile at first. Also, if you can mirror to your TV from your phone, you can pull up live streams of the news and watch it that way.

    1. That’s true, Deanna, depending on the model of phone and TV you have. Not all of them have that capability. Of course, you might be able to use an app or device to get it done as well.

  16. Norman Ramme says:

    Get locast in your area. It is available in several east coast cities but few in the western US. Service is free, but donations help pay for local antenna installation and internet channel operation. It replaces ugly indoor and outdoor antennas and contains a good quality picture. They also contribute to greater local TV advertising, and local news and weather. Service is good for areas where visibility is blocked by trees, mountains, and tall buildings. They have good service for a reasonable price.

    1. Thanks for mentioning that. I might have to check that out!

    2. Linda J McDaniel says:

      Only available in certain areas . Needs to be available to everyone.

  17. I’m confused that with DirecTV Now you don’t need an antenna to watch your local stations, but with Sling you do need an antenna? Why is that? They are both online streaming services.

    1. Keep in mind that just because they are both online streaming services that doesn’t mean they offer the same thing.

  18. Cindy A Hampton says:

    I like the idea of getting local channels with an antenna, but how do you view them? I currently have an Apple TV streaming DirecTVNow with local channels and sports channels. If I switch to local channels by antenna and a streaming service, how do I view the local channels? Is it a switch on the remote, or am I going in and out of the streaming service to tap on the individual local station app?

    1. It depends a little on how you set everything up, but I believe you should be able to switch between them on your remote.

  19. I live too far away. Even an outdoor antenna doesn’t work!

    1. I am sorry to hear that! ๐Ÿ™

  20. I have a old time TV antenna still on my roof will that still work for my TV.

    1. Excellent! That’s a great way to save even more money – using what is already there!

  21. An indoor antenna should have a dB gain number, correct? The more, the better, I would think. Also, how would one switch between cable and antenna? Is there an A/B switch I would need? The TV is HD. Thanks.

    1. Yes, in theory, the higher the dB gain number the better. Although, overall performance is just as important. You must also consider where you live and where the broadcast towers are located. If they are over the visual horizon, a higher number is better. If not, a lower number is ok. You must watch out for high dB numbers that are marketing ploys to get you to pay more for a product you may not need.

  22. Why is it that when I search, “how to watch TV for free”, I have articles like this telling me to stream TV or sign up with Sling,Hulu, or AmazonPrime? Internet service is not free or even cheap, and adding another $10-30 on top of internet services comes out about the same cost as cable. :-\
    Can I use an HD antenna and NOT have to set up internet, too?

    1. I totally get what you are saying. However, if you are getting internet for another reason such as for computer use, etc., then you’d be paying for it anyway. That’s why it isn’t always figured into the costs when we talk about streaming.
      Of course if streaming, or TV, is the only reason you have internet, then by all means, add it into your figures when comparing costs. This article is meant to be a source for options when you want to get rid of cable.
      As far as using an antenna, no you wouldn’t need internet. Just remember, if you use internet for computers, phones, or other devices, shutting it off for TV will shut it off for those devices as well. Good luck in your quest to cut costs and rid yourself of cable! I hope you find an alternative that works for you.

  23. NewYorker says:

    I live on the West Side of Manhattan and watch only local channels using an antenna. Unfortunately the signal is periodically interrupted so that I get sound but not a picture (gray and white horizontal stripes appear on the screen). Is there any way to determine the source of this interference or to counteract it? The timing of it has led me to wonder if the use of cable or streaming in the area is creating the problem.

    1. There are some great tips from the FCC on what to do about interference. I don’t know if it will solve your issues, but they might be worth a shot. Go here to find out more: fcc.gov. Click on consumers and then guides. Look for “Interference Radio TV and Telephone Signals”.

  24. I live about 15-20 miles from where my local channels are broadcast. However, the small valley I reside in is blocked by the foothills. I can’t get any local channels via normal antennas. I’m wondering if the HD antenna will make a difference?

    1. Did you try using the website in the post? It may help you decide if an HD antenna will work for you or not.

  25. I live in an apartment where I don’t have cable, but I have a Samsung smart TV. Also I cannot install an antena, but I have a phone with unlimited internet. Do you have any comments, please, so I can watch TV?

    1. I would try a mobile app, as mentioned in #4 in the article. However, you might also try contacting your internet provider for your phone to see if you can set it up as a hot spot. You should then be able to stream TV, I believe.

    2. There is a selection of indoor antennas on Amazon that you can place by the TV or on a window or wall. There are also different websites that help you with placement of it for best viewing. Maybe something like that would work!

      1. That is another option, Diane, that might work. Good thinking!

    3. Cast your phone screen to your tv.

      1. How can I cast my phone to my tv????

  26. How far away from your house can you install an HDTV antenna? We live on a farm, and the house sits down in a valley area. Up towards the road is our barn, which is at an elevation 30-35 feet higher than the house. I have power there, and I have a coax that runs underground that I could use, plus a CAT6 OSP cable (both in PVC conduits). I’d like to install an omni-directional antenna there to improve my reception capabilities, but I don’t know whether this is feasible, given the barn is about 500-600 ft from the house.

    1. I’m not sure. Most of the packages probably say how far away they can be.

  27. What about YouTube’s TV service? I know it’s $40 per month and the channel selection doesn’t seem too bad. Plus, you can watch YouTube videos without commercials. Does anyone use that service?

    1. Hi Sally! Is it correct to assume that internet service is required to use YouTube’s TV service and that it is only accessible via computer/phone only, and not a TV? Thanks.

    2. Mike Olson says:

      Sally, I use YouTube TV and it works great. I get all my local channels and a total of about 40. They also supply a large amount of movies and TV shows. My 40 dollar fee is half of what I paid to cable and DirecTV. A point of using it when you first start is if you’re done with your use of YouTube, use your back button several times to get an exit screen. It is really easy. Otherwise, you will have to go to sign in screens all the time. It took me a little while to figure all this out. Good luck.

      1. Thanks for your comments and the tips about also using YouTube to watch TV. ๐Ÿ™‚

    3. We are having a lot of issues with YouTube tv. Constantly buffering and going back to the main screen saying the app is restarting! So frustrating

  28. Sadly, we can’t get signals via an antenna due to buildings and trees. Antennas require line of sight. Cable and streaming are our only options, but streaming is very limited when it comes to local news. We’re seriously considering cutting the cable and watching PBS News Hour for national and international news, but local news is, at this time, the problem. I remember when cable TV first started and we were told we’d have options and it would be affordable. For us, neither has come to be. Now with HDTV we are unable to receive signals through the airwaves.

    1. That stinks. ๐Ÿ™ I’m sorry you can get signal.

    2. J Smith Mcy says:

      EXACTLYโ—๏ธโ—๏ธ DITTO…

  29. Can you recommend a solution for my new Vizio smart TV? It only has HDMI, comp, and smartcast options. I would like to hookup up something to watch local channels without having to stream. I live in a rural area and would like to have my gb for other things. Is there a receiver appliance?

    1. I’m not sure what you’re trying to get. If you don’t want to stream, there’s not much point in having a smart TV vs a regular TV. You can try to use an antenna to get TV channels without streaming. But in rural areas, that’s going to be limited.

  30. Barbara Stamps says:

    My cable company, Spectrum, has removed my local channels: NBC, CBS, Fox and ABC. But, they are still charging me full usage. Iโ€™m 110 miles away from these broadcasts. How can I get these channels?

    1. I’m not sure. Maybe you can find an antenna with a farther reach?

    2. We also have Spectrum and have all those Channels in Wisconsin working.
      Anyone with Direct TV will not be able to access ABC because of trouble between the two. We have an antenna to be able to watch ABC.

  31. I have a Roku box and I have Amazon prime. Do I still need an outdoor/indoor antenna? What can I do?

    1. Hi Dinah, that’s up to you. You don’t necessarily HAVE to get one if you are able to watch the shows you want already. But, for local channels, you probably need an antenna of some kind.

  32. I’m concerned that my internet GB’s cost will be out of sight. A one hour movie uses more that 1 GB.

    1. I’m not sure about that. That’s something you’d have to look into.

  33. Will this work without me having internet?

    1. Most of these do require internet. But, the antennas do not require internet.

  34. Do your homework.. There is no such thing as an “HD” antenna. The term is a gimmick.

    1. Deacon Hayes says:

      Regardless of the terminology, the antennas themselves are called HDTV antennas. So if you do want to get local channels these days without cable, that is one of the ways to go.

      1. Chanel Tucker says:

        Will you be able to get local channels if your tv is not HD standard?

      2. Chanel Tucker says:

        HD.

      3. R L Opsvik says:

        YES…get an OTA antenna Receiver…cheap

      4. J Smith Mcy says:

        You do have somewhat a diff ‘Analog’ vs ‘HD’ and a conversion, depending on equipment/personal preference and availability. That’s been my personal experience in the past. And ‘wiring’, or these days some lack of, “#wireless” now.
        I’m always open to ‘The New’… of times… I’ve also been checking out ‘building our own antenna’. I’m on SSD, older and no help at all. Here we have 9 major (incorporated, non-county) cities. In 2016 they completely cut off the ‘required (by law) access’, to “local feeds and channels”. One of those nine “incorporated” cities, mine being “that (incorporated) city”, cut off completely. The required law (in part) was, and is, based on the right to the service(s) for ’emergency’ purposes and NEWS information… I still don’t know how (for sure) they get away with it. I’m gonna keep on checking in.

      5. I’m sorry to hear of those troubles. I hope they are resolved soon.

      6. Therese Shellabarger says:

        I can’t use an outdoor antenna because I live in an apt. and the terrain is too hilly to allow an indoor antenna to work. In an emergency I would rely on my old Walkman to listen to news on a CBS-affiliated AM news station in the area. I feel sad for Deaf people because they don’t have good options.

      7. DDDoris Highsmithh says:

        Thanks for ur info as I am deaf!!

      8. J Smith Mcy says:

        See my comments and reply below in ‘HD’. I think… Oooops… ????

    2. Donald Ritz says:

      Thank you. Well put.

    3. J Smith Mcy says:

      Wow peeps… I hope I’m not in the way. I’m just looking for help and input… Sorry… Have a nice day. ????

    4. The same way back in the 60s, color TV antennas were sold. This too was just a gimmick. I have an old yagi type TV “analog” TV antenna hooked up to my HDTV and pick up 9 digital HD stations on my TV with it. Yes, HD TV antenna is a gimmick, just like color TV antenna was in the 60s