Let’s face it; cable is not getting any cheaper. That’s why there are so many cord-cutters out there and people who’d rather stream content than get it from traditional channels. But, how to watch local channels without an antenna?
Well, nowadays you can stream local news, sports shows, and other content that’s relevant to you without using a cable or an antenna. There are many alternatives out there that allow you to access basic cable content for free.
Most people, especially between the ages of 18 and 34 years, are so fed up with cable companies and bills. They’d rather stream content online than pay $99 a month for cable.
Expensive Cable TV
The most annoying aspect of cable TV is that most of the time you’re paying for channels that you don’t even watch. Plus, almost every cable package comes with a couple of local channels. Cable companies have gotten used to providing this sub-par service and people are tired of it
They purposefully design cable packages that’ll lure people with a few popular channels and fill the rest of the package with useless channels that no one will ever watch. The packages are designed this way to help justify the astronomical price of cable TV. Their average monthly bill is $90 per month.
However, thanks to online streaming services, you can pay a third of that and get customized channels. These channels are based on your preferences instead of 500 channels that you don’t care for.
The great thing about this is that you get to enjoy all of your favorite local content without paying an exorbitant price for it. This is how to watch local channels without an antenna.
What Are Local Channels?
Local channels are the big crowd-pleasers when it comes to cable TV. Most people will literally purchase and install an antenna just so they can watch shows on NBC, FOX, CBS, and ABC. But, this isn’t always possible. Maybe the area where you live suffers from poor reception. Or there’s a building next to you that actively blocks the signal.
But, if you’re a cord-cutter you don’t have to worry about any of these concerns. You can stream local channels from players like Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku Fire to name but a few.
However, the most popular options include AT&T TV NOW as well as Hulu.
If you live in one of the areas that offer Locast support then you should definitely consider these options. Locast is designed to provide free streaming for Apple TV, Roku and Fire TV among other services.
What About News Articles?
You should also check if your local TV station offers a corresponding app that’s compatible with your streaming player. An increasing number of apps have the ability to provide on-demand, live access to local sporting action.
How to Watch Prime Time Network TV Online
Most of the streaming services mentioned in this article come with live local channels including on-demand live content streams. This includes prime time network TV that’s available without the need for a contract. Some services even offer free trials.
You can also watch prime-time network TV shows from CBS All-Access and Hulu On-Demand. Using both services at the same time allows you to access shows from a variety of channels, including The CW, FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS.
Hulu comes highly recommended but may not be your cup of tea, so you should try out the free trial first to see if it’s something you want to commit to. You can also access PBS shows through the provider’s app which is compatible with most devices.
The PBS app, Hulu and CBS All Access are compatible with most smartphones, tablets, and browsers. But, it’s probably more comfortable to stream these services from a streaming device. Roku is one of my favorites and I’ve been using it for a long time.
The best part is that you can connect most of these devices to different video services through Internet apps so you can stream them on your TV like regular channels.
Did you like our guide on how to watch local channels without an antenna? Let us know in the comments section below!
