If you want to watch local channels without cable, you might be overwhelmed by the number of streaming services available. Local channels are the ones that broadcast news, sports, and entertainment programs in your area, such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and others. They are usually free to watch over the air with an antenna, but if you want more convenience and features, you might want to consider some of the online alternatives.
In this article, we will compare four of the most popular and affordable streaming services that offer local channels: Sling TV, Paramount+, Hulu with Live TV, and DirecTV. We will look at the following factors:
- Price: How much does each service cost per month or per year?
- Channels: How many local channels can you get with each service and which ones are they?
- Features: What are the benefits and drawbacks of each service?
- Availability: Where can you access each service and on which devices?
We hope this article will help you find the best streaming service for local channels that suits your preferences, budget, location, and devices.
Sling TV
Sling TV is one of the most affordable services, with their base level packages starting at $40 per month and streaming dozens of major cable channels, like ESPN, AMC, CNN, TNT and more. Sling TV offers two main plans: Sling Orange and Sling Blue, each with different channel lineups. You can also combine them for $55 per month or add extra packages for more channels and features.
Sling TV offers a 3-day free trial for new customers. You can also get a discounted price for the first three months of service or a free streaming device when you prepay for a certain number of months.
Sling TV is compatible with most streaming devices, such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, AirTV, LG and Samsung smart TVs, Xbox One and Series X/S consoles, Oculus Go and Quest headsets, iOS and Android mobile devices, and web browsers.
Sling TV’s channel lineup varies depending on the plan you choose. Here are some of the channels you can get with each plan:
| Plan | Channels |
|---|---|
| Sling Orange | ESPN , ESPN2 , ESPN3 , AMC , CNN , TNT , TBS , Cartoon Network/Adult Swim , Comedy Central , BBC America , Lifetime , A&E , History Channel , AXS TV , Newsy |
| Sling Blue | NBC (in select markets), FOX (in select markets), FS1 , FS2 , NFL Network , NBCSN , USA Network , Bravo , FX , FXX (on demand only), Syfy , National Geographic , Nat Geo Wild (on demand only), Discovery Channel (on demand only), TLC (on demand only), Food Network (on demand only), HGTV (on demand only), Travel Channel (on demand only), BET (on demand only), Comedy Central (on demand only), Paramount Network (on demand only), MTV (on demand only), VH1 (on demand only), Nick Jr. , truTV (in select markets), AMC , CNN , TNT , TBS |
| Sling Orange + Blue | All of the above channels |
The main benefit of using Sling TV is that it is a low-cost option that offers a lot of flexibility and customization. You can choose the plan that best suits your needs and preferences, and add more channels and features as you wish. You can also enjoy high-definition picture quality and DVR functionality from Sling TV.
The main drawback of using Sling TV is that it has limited coverage of local channels. You may not be able to get all the major networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS in your area. You may also have to deal with some blackouts or restrictions on certain channels or programs.
Paramount+
Paramount+ is a streaming service that offers live and on-demand content from CBS and other ViacomCBS networks and studios. You can watch popular shows like Star Trek: Discovery , The Good Fight , SpongeBob SquarePants , NCIS , The Late Show with Stephen Colbert , and more. You can also stream live sports like NFL on CBS , UEFA Champions League , PGA Tour , and more. Plus, you can enjoy exclusive originals like The Stand , The Twilight Zone , Why Women Kill , and more.
Paramount+ has two subscription tiers: Essential and Premium. The Essential plan costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year and includes ads on most content. The Premium plan costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year and includes no ads on most content and access to your local CBS station live.
Paramount+ offers a 7-day free trial for new customers. You can also get a 25% discount if you are a student or a 50% discount if you are 65 years or older.
Paramount+ is compatible with most streaming devices, such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles, Xbox One and Series X/S consoles, Samsung and LG smart TVs, Vizio SmartCast TVs, iOS and Android mobile devices, and web browsers.
Paramount+’s channel lineup includes CBS and its subchannels (CBSN , CBS Sports HQ , ET Live ), BET , Comedy Central , MTV , Nickelodeon , Smithsonian Channel , The CW (on demand only), Pop TV (on demand only), CMT (on demand only), Logo (on demand only), VH1 (on demand only), TV Land (on demand only), Showtime (with Premium plan only).
The main benefit of using Paramount+ is that it is a cheap and easy way to watch CBS and its affiliated networks online. You can get access to a lot of content from various genres and categories. You can also enjoy high-definition picture quality and DVR functionality from Paramount+.
The main drawback of using Paramount+ is that it has limited coverage of local channels. You may not be able to get all the major networks like ABC, FOX, NBC, PBS in your area. You may also have to deal with some ads or interruptions on some content.
Hulu with Live TV
Hulu with Live TV is a streaming service that combines live TV channels with Hulu’s extensive on-demand library of shows and movies. You can watch live sports, news, entertainment, and more from over 85 channels. You can also stream full seasons of exclusive series like The Handmaid’s Tale , PEN15 , Little Fires Everywhere , Ramy , and more. Plus, you can enjoy thousands of movies and shows from Hulu’s partners like FX , ABC , NBC , FOX , Disney , HBO Max , Showtime , Starz , Cinemax , Epix , and more.
Hulu with Live TV costs $69.99 per month or $82.99 per month if you want to watch without ads on most on-demand content. You can also bundle Hulu with Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $79.99 per month or $92.99 per month without ads.
Hulu with Live TV offers a 7-day free trial for new customers. You can also get a 10% discount if you are a student or a military member.
Hulu with Live TV is compatible with most streaming devices, such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles, Xbox One and Series X/S consoles, Samsung and LG smart TVs, Vizio SmartCast TVs, iOS and Android mobile devices, and web browsers.
Hulu with Live TV’s channel lineup includes ABC , CBS , NBC , FOX , PBS , The CW , Telemundo , Univision , A&E , Animal Planet , Big Ten Network , Bravo , Cartoon Network/Adult Swim/CNBC World/Comedy Central/CNN/Cooking Channel/Crime & Investigation/CSPAN/CSPAN2/Discovery Channel/Disney Channel/Disney Junior/Disney XD/E!/ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU/ESPNews/ESPN College Extra/ESPN Buzzer Beater/Goal Line/Bases Loaded/Food Network/Fox Business Network/Fox News Channel/Fox Sports 1/Fuse/FX/FXX/Galavision/Hallmark Channel/Hallmark Movies & Mysteries/HGTV/History Channel/HLN/IFC/Lifetime/Lifetime Movie Network/MotorTrend/MSNBC/MTV Classic/MTV Live/MTV2/National Geographic/Nat Geo Wild/NBCSN/Olympic Channel/Ovation/Oxygen/Paramount Network/QVC/QVC2/Reelz/SundanceTV/Syfy/TBS/TLC/TNT/Travel Channel/truTV/USA Network/VH1/Viceland.
The main benefit of using Hulu with Live TV is that it offers a lot of content and features that are not available with other services. You can watch live TV, on-demand movies and shows, original programming, etc. You can also enjoy high-definition picture quality, DVR functionality, multiple streams, parental controls, etc.
The main drawback of using Hulu with Live TV is that it can be expensive and complicated to use. You have to pay monthly fees and contracts to watch local channels online. You may also have to deal with buffering issues, blackouts, ads, etc.
DirecTV
DirecTV is a streaming service that offers live and on-demand content from over 150 channels. You can watch live sports, news, entertainment, and more from networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, TNT, AMC, HGTV, CNN, and more. You can also stream movies and shows from HBO Max, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax, Epix, and more. Plus, you can enjoy exclusive originals like Yellowstone , The Undoing , Billions, Power Book II: Ghost, and more.
DirecTV has four subscription plans: Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier. Each plan has a different channel lineup and price. The Entertainment plan costs $74.99 per month or $64.99 per month for the first three months. The Choice plan costs $99.99 per month or $89.99 per month for the first three months. The Ultimate plan costs $109.99 per month or $99.99 per month for the first three months. The Premier plan costs $154.99 per month or $144.99 per month for the first three months.
DirecTV offers a 5-day free trial for new customers. You can also get a discounted price for the first three months of service or a free streaming device when you prepay for a certain number of months.
DirecTV is compatible with most streaming devices, such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, AirTV, LG and Samsung smart TVs, Xbox One and Series X/S consoles, Oculus Go and Quest headsets, iOS and Android mobile devices, and web browsers.
DirecTV’s channel lineup varies depending on the plan you choose. Here are some of the channels you can get with each plan:
| Plan | Channels |
|---|---|
| Entertainment | ABC (in select markets), CBS (in select markets), NBC (in select markets), FOX (in select markets), PBS (in select markets), The CW (in select markets), Telemundo (in select markets), Univision (in select markets), A&E , AMC , AXS TV , BBC America , BET Her (on demand only), BET Jams (on demand only), BET Soul (on demand only), Bloomberg Television , Bravo , Cartoon Network/Adult Swim , CNBC , CNN , Disney Channel , Disney Junior , Disney XD , E! , ESPN , ESPN2 , Food Network , Fox Business Network , Fox News Channel , Fox Sports 1 , Fuse , FX , FXX , Galavision , Hallmark Channel , Hallmark Movies & Mysteries , HGTV , History Channel , HLN , IFC , Lifetime , Lifetime Movie Network , MotorTrend , MSNBC , MTV Classic , MTV Live , MTV2 , National Geographic , Nat Geo Wild , NBCSN , Nick Jr. , Nickelodeon , Nicktoons , Ovation , Oxygen , Paramount Network , QVC , QVC2 , Reelz, SundanceTV |
| Choice | All of the above channels plus ACC Network (in select markets), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh (in select markets), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (in select markets), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (in select markets), Bally Sports Arizona (in select markets), Bally Sports Detroit (in select markets), Bally Sports Florida (in select markets), Bally Sports Midwest (in select markets), Bally Sports North (in select markets), Bally Sports Ohio (in select markets), Bally Sports San Diego (in select markets), Bally Sports South (in select markets), Bally Sports Southeast (in select markets), Bally Sports Southwest (in select markets), Bally Sports Sun (in select markets), Bally Sports West (in select markets), Bally Sports Wisconsin (in select markets), Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, Cooking Channel, DIY Network, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN College Extra, ESPN Buzzer Beater/Goal Line/Bases Loaded, GSN, Longhorn Network (in select markets), Marquee Sports Network (in select markets), MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Olympic Channel, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Science Channel |
| Ultimate | All of the above channels plus American Heroes Channel, Aspire TV, BBC World News, BET Gospel (on demand only), BET Hip Hop (on demand only), Boomerang, Cinémoi TV, Cleo TV, CMT Music (on demand only), CNBC World, Comedy.TV, Cooking Channel Plus 1 Hour West Feed HD, Destination America, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, DIY Network Plus 1 Hour West Feed HD Only On Demand Only, El Rey Network, EPIX Drive-In (on demand only), ESPN Deportes, FM (on demand only), Fusion, GAC (on demand only), Golf Channel Plus 1 Hour West Feed HD Only On Demand Only, Great American Country (on demand only), GSN Plus 1 Hour West Feed HD Only On Demand Only, IFC Plus 1 Hour West Feed HD Only On Demand Only, Justice Central.TV, LMN Plus 1 Hour West Feed HD |
| Premier | All of the above channels plus HBO Max , Showtime , Starz , Cinemax , Epix |
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many streaming services that offer local channels, but each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. You have to consider your preferences, budget, location, and devices before choosing the best one for you. We hope this article helped you compare some of the most popular and affordable options available.
