By KodiExpert Team · Updated 14 November 2026
There are three ways to watch local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS without cable: a free over-the-air antenna, a live TV streaming service, or the networks’ own streaming apps. For most homes an antenna is the cheapest answer, and a live TV service is the closest thing to cable. This guide explains each option, what it costs, and how to set it up on a Firestick or smart TV.
The options at a glance
| Option | Local channels | Cost | Needs internet? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD antenna | ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS and more if in range | One-off, about $20 to $100 | No |
| YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, Fubo | The big four in most markets | Roughly $75 to $100 a month | Yes |
| Sling TV | Some locals, in some markets only | From about $46 a month | Yes |
| Paramount+ Premium / Peacock Premium Plus | Your local CBS / NBC station | Low monthly fee each | Yes |
| Free news apps (NewsON, Local Now) | Local newscasts, not full channels | Free | Yes |
Prices change often. Check each provider’s website for the current price in your area.
Option 1: An HD antenna (free after you buy it)
Local stations still broadcast over the air for free, often in better picture quality than cable. An indoor antenna plugged into your TV’s coaxial (“ANT IN”) socket picks them up with no subscription and no internet connection.
- Check what you can get. Enter your address on the FCC’s DTV reception map (fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps) to see which stations reach you and from which direction.
- Choose the antenna. Within about 30 miles of the towers, a flat indoor antenna usually works. Further out, use an amplified, attic or outdoor antenna.
- Place it high, near a window facing the broadcast towers.
- Run a channel scan in your TV’s settings (often under Channels or Broadcast > Auto Tune).
- Rescan every few months. Stations sometimes change frequency.
Want antenna channels on your Firestick? Amazon’s Fire TV Recast, or a network tuner such as an HDHomeRun, sends antenna TV to Fire TV and phones, and can record it.
Option 2: A live TV streaming service
Live TV streaming services are the closest replacement for cable: dozens of channels including your local stations, a cloud DVR, and no contract.
- YouTube TV has the widest local coverage, including PBS and The CW in most areas, plus unlimited DVR.
- Hulu + Live TV bundles live TV with the Hulu on-demand library and Disney+, which makes it good value if you already pay for those.
- DirecTV (stream) and Fubo carry ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC in most markets. Fubo leans towards sports.
- Sling TV is the cheapest, but carries only some local channels, in some markets.
Before you sign up, use the provider’s ZIP-code lookup to check which local stations it carries at your address. Coverage varies from city to city.
Option 3: The networks’ own apps
If you only need one or two networks, a single app can be cheaper than a full live TV service:
- CBS: Paramount+ with the Premium plan includes your live local CBS station.
- NBC: Peacock Premium Plus includes your live local NBC station.
- FOX: FOX One streams FOX programming, or use the FOX app with a TV provider login.
- ABC: the ABC app streams shows the next day. Live ABC needs a live TV service or an antenna.
Option 4: Free local news apps
For news only, NewsON and Local Now stream live and recent newscasts from local stations across the US for free. Pluto TV and The Roku Channel also carry free news channels. They are not full channels, so you will not get primetime shows or live sport this way.
Setting it up on a Firestick or smart TV
- Install the app (YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling, Paramount+ and so on) from your device’s app store.
- Open it and choose Sign in. Most apps show a code: enter it on your phone to log in.
- Allow location access, or confirm your home ZIP code. Live TV apps use your location to decide which local stations you get.
- Add your local channels to favourites so they appear first in the guide.
Live channels need a steadier connection than on-demand video. If they buffer, see our guide to fixing buffering, and our list of the best free streaming apps for Firestick for more free channels.
Prefer all your live TV in one app?
Some viewers use an IPTV service so live channels, sports and on-demand sit in one place on a Firestick or smart TV. If you go that way, choose a provider that is licensed where you live. Read our Xtreme HD IPTV review for prices and setup.
Disclosure: kodiexpert.org is run by the same team as Xtreme HD IPTV.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to watch local channels without cable?
An HD antenna. After the one-off cost, local channels are free forever, with no internet needed.
Which streaming service has the most local channels?
YouTube TV covers the most local stations in the most markets, followed by Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV and Fubo.
Can I get local channels on a smart TV without an antenna?
Yes, through a live TV streaming service, the networks’ own apps (such as Paramount+ for CBS), or free news apps like NewsON.
Sources: provider websites, FCC DTV reception maps, PC Tech Magazine, Clark.com, Cord Cutting Report. Checked 14 November 2026.