Streaming Services With Local Channels: Complete guide and walkthrough
Local channels are the hardest part of cutting the cord. Your local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS stations are licensed market by market, so availability depends on your ZIP code. Here are your real options.
Streaming Services With Local Channels: Why local channels are tricky
Essential recommendations for Streaming Services With Local Channels
Each network has a local affiliate station in your market, such as your city's ABC station, with its own news and ads. The right to carry that station belongs to the station itself, and distributors negotiate deals station by station. That's why a service can have NBC in Chicago but not in a smaller market, and why carriage disputes sometimes black out a station on one service.
Option 1: An antenna (free after purchase)
Over-the-air TV is still very much alive in the US.
- Check your address with the FCC's DTV Reception Maps, which show which stations you can expect and their signal strength.
- Indoor antennas work well within about 25 miles of the broadcast towers. Place them high and near a window facing the towers.
- Outdoor or attic antennas cover longer distances and hilly terrain.
- Want a guide and DVR? Network tuners like the HDHomeRun or Tablo send antenna channels to apps on your Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and phones, complete with a channel guide.
Option 2: Live TV streaming services
These services carry local stations in most large and mid-sized markets under proper carriage agreements:
| Service | Typical local coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS in most markets | Unlimited cloud DVR |
| Hulu + Live TV | ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX in most markets | Bundled with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN |
| DirecTV Stream | Broad local coverage | Several package tiers |
| Fubo | Varies; sports-focused | Check your ZIP |
| Sling TV | Limited locals in select markets | Often paired with an antenna |
Enter your ZIP code on each service's site to confirm, since lineups vary by market.
Option 3: Free and network apps
- Local news streams: many stations stream newscasts free in their own apps, and services such as NBC News NOW, CBS News 24/7, ABC News Live and Local Now carry news programming.
- Network apps: some prime-time shows are available next-day on network apps or their streaming partners.
- FAST services such as Pluto TV and The Roku Channel carry some local news channels.
What about IPTV and local channels?
Some IPTV services list local affiliate channels. Before relying on one for locals, ask:
- Are these the stations for my market, or another city's feed with different news and weather?
- Does the provider have rights to carry them? See the legal side of IPTV.
- Does the guide match? Our EPG guide explains how to check.
Many cord-cutters combine an antenna for local channels with a streaming service or IPTV for everything else. It's often the cheapest, most reliable way to get locals.
Our recommendation
Start with the FCC reception map. If you get strong signals, an antenna plus a network tuner gives you free locals with a guide on every TV. If you don't, compare the live TV services above by ZIP code. For a broader look at the options, read IPTV vs cable.
When choosing a reliable Streaming Services With Local Channels, verifying network peering and server routing ensures optimal playback stability.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way to get local channels?
An over-the-air antenna. After the one-time purchase, broadcasts are free forever, and the picture is often better than cable because it's less compressed. Check reception at your address first using the FCC's DTV Reception Maps.
Do all live TV streaming services include my local stations?
Not always. Coverage varies by market, and some services carry only a few local networks in certain areas. Enter your ZIP code on each service's website before subscribing to see exactly which stations you'd get.
What is NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0)?
It's the newer US broadcast standard, rolling out market by market, that can carry 4K and HDR over the air. You need a compatible TV or tuner. Regular ATSC 1.0 broadcasts continue in most markets during the transition.
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