Beginner’s Guide: How to Stream Local Channels in 2024

Beginner’s Guide: How to Stream Local Channels in [year]

Thu, Feb 29, 2024 1:04 AM

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Guide on Streaming Local Channels: The lack of local channels is one of the drawbacks of live TV streaming—not every provider covers all of your local broadcast stations. This means you can lose out on shows from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, PBS, Telemundo, and other networks, as well as local news and sports programming.

Do you believe you won't be able to watch local TV channels online? Think again—we've looked into a few choices and can show you how.

Guide on Streaming Local Channels 2024

We believe that YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer the most local channels at the greatest price among the live TV streaming services we've researched. You'll be viewing obnoxious local car dealership advertising in no time if you read on for the details on both, as well as additional choices for streaming local networks.

Best Option for Live TV Streaming Local Channels

Local channels on YouTube TV ($64.99/mo.)

In most markets, YouTube TV offers comprehensive local channel lineups in addition to being our editorial choice for the best overall live TV streaming service. PBS is included, which is an unusual find. The cable channel choices (over 100) and unlimited DVR on YouTube TV are very appealing.

ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, PBS Kids, and The CW are among the local YouTube TV networks (The CW is on-demand only in most markets).

Local channels on Hulu + Live TV ($64.99–$70.99/mo.)

With the exception of PBS, Hulu + Live TV's local channel lineups are nearly as comprehensive as YouTube TV's. Hulu + Live TV likewise has fewer cable channels than YouTube TV, but its vast on-demand library of 10,000+ episodes, movies, and original content more than compensates.

Also, Read: Which is Best for you, SHOWTIME ANYTIME or SHOWTIME?

Hulu + local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and The CW stations on live TV (The CW is on-demand only in most markets).

Local channels on fuboTV ($64.99–$79.99/mo.)

FuboTV has a huge channel list (over 150) with plenty of international soccer coverage as well as local networks. However, unlike YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, its local channel availability is more sporadic, so you can't be sure if your area will be served.

ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and The CW are among the local networks available on fuboTV (The CW is on-demand only in most markets).

Local channels on DIRECTV STREAM ($69.99–$139.99/mo.)

In most markets, DIRECTV STREAM, like its satellite cousin, offers local channels. It's also one of the more expensive live TV streaming options, but DIRECTV STREAM is worth looking into if you enjoy having a broad selection of channels to pick from (including sports networks).

ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and PBS Kids are among the local stations available on DIRECTV STREAM.

Local channels on Sling TV ($35–$50/mo.)

Sling TV isn't likely to be anyone's first option for local channels—it only broadcasts NBC and FOX stations in a few markets, and one of its plans doesn't include any. Sling TV's price is still reasonable: Sling Blue, the NBC and FOX subscription, is only $35 per month.

NBC and FOX are the local channels on Sling TV.

Best Streaming Service for Local Channels?

YouTube TV, which includes PBS and PBS Kids, is the live TV streaming service that provides the most local channels. In some markets, Hulu + Live TV and fuboTV also broadcast most local stations. Sling TV only has NBC and FOX networks, and Philo, a skinny-bundle live TV streaming service, has no local channels.

Lowest Price to Get Local Channels

A digital over-the-air antenna is the cheapest option to access local channels. You can get free access to all local broadcast channels for life (or at least until your cat tears down the antenna wire—it happens) for a one-time payment of usually less than $50.

Will you be able to get local channels on Amazon Prime Video?

Local news broadcasts are available through Amazon Prime Video's News app (for Fire TV platforms only). You can watch live and on-demand newscasts from local broadcasters in these cities in addition to national news outlets like Reuters and Bloomberg:

Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Tampa, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.

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