How to Watch Local TV News Without Cable

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released an online tool that allows consumers to see which digital television signals are received at their specific address. Other options for watching local TV news without cable, which will not be necessary at locations that receive a digital signal, are paid streaming services and free local TV streaming services.

Check your address first

The FCC’s Reception Maps tool lists the signal strength, ranking TV signals from the strongest to the weakest by using a color code to show the levels, and lists the signal receiving a TV antenna for that address can receive, in this order, a digital antenna is relatively cheap and is a money saver for most Americans, often a one-time purchase for under $50, but all types of antennas cost a good bit more. Customers will save on a subscription by picking this method.

The cheapest option if reception works

Digital antennas cost a little bit upfront, ranging from about $10 to $200, and may be located on the roof, on the side of the house, or on a stand, better equipment gives better reception, but those in prime locations may not need better equipment.

Paid streaming services that include local channels

• YouTube TV provides access to 10 local channels, including TV news, for 82.99 each month, and provides access to 100+ other channels.
• Fubo’s plans range from $14.99 to $94.99 each month. The service provides access to 8 local channels, with 50–291+ other channels.
• Sling TV subscribers get 3 local channels, along with 10–48+ other channels. To watch is $19.99 to $60.99 each month

Free streaming alternatives

The NewsOn app and FreeCast service provide access to hundreds of local channels, including news, but do not allow actual cable TV channels to be viewed. NewsOn is featured in other content as a free streaming service that gives access to live newscasts from over 200 local stations, FreeCast tells its customers it streams free local broadcast channels, live news, sports, and entertainment with no monthly fees, no cable bill, and no subscriptions.

What to do if the antenna test fails

First, if you were not able to tune into a local signal, perhaps, because you live in a valley, behind a large building, or many miles from the nearest transmitters, look for news apps, specific to the area, to stream the news over the internet. Some stations stream, both free and TV news feeds, through subscriptions, because a free service does not work for their situation, or just because they can, and some charges are listed here.

Where switching to an antenna for rural customers may not be effective, cable TV streaming services also allow you to watch TV news online by paying a fee each month. The streaming services listed allow news programs from major networks and local news feeds from some areas, in most metro areas. When an antenna will not suffice and the station does not provide local programs, a streaming service will provide a way to access what would be a blank screen.

Cheapest route by situation

The bottom line is, an antenna is almost certainly the cheapest way to watch local news, cable, and TV news integrated with over-the-air programming. Look to the FCC maps, go to a rooftop and check for signals, and then get yourself the newest digital antenna receiver on the market and you’re almost certain to be able to broadcast.