Getting local channels with a cord-cutting service is not always straightforward, easy, or cheap.
The cheapest streaming service that offers local channels is Sling. It costs $40/month and offers a lineup of NBC and FOX in select markets.
The next best thing is Paramount+, which offers CBS affiliate channels.
As a general rule, you should check with each service to see what they offer depending on your area.
DirecTV: NBC, PBS, ABC, FOX, Telemundo, and CBS
At $75.99, DirecTV is not exactly cheap but they do offer the most extensive local channel lineup. DirecTV's local channels include NBC, PBS, ABC, FOX, Telemundo, and CBS.
If you're looking for the most comprehensive cord-cutting solution, DirecTV is probably your best bet.
Price:$75.99/month
Free Trial:5 days
Device availability:Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV,Apple TV, iOS,Roku,RokuTV, Samsung TV
Channel lineup:A&E, ABC,AMC, Animal Planet, AXS TV, Baby First TV, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang,Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CMT,CNBC,CNN,CNNen Espanol, Comedy Central, Discovery, Disney Channel, Disney Jr, Disney XD, E! Entertainment,ESPN,ESPN2,ESPN3, Food Network, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Freeform, FX, FXX, Galavision, Gem Shopping Network,Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, History,HLN, Home Shopping Network, Investigation Discovery,Lifetime, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV2, One America News, Ovation, Paramount Network, QVC, QVC2, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, SundanceTV, SYFY,TBS, TCM, TeenNick,TLC,TNT, truTV, TV Land, Univision East, USA Network, VH1, Vice,WE tv
Sling TV: NBC and FOX in select markets
As one of the cheapest cable alternatives, Sling TV is a great bang for your buck. This is especially true if you're looking to watch national channels like ESPN, A&E, Lifetime, and so on
For local TV, Sling offers NBC and FOX in select markets.
Price: $40/month
Device availability: AirTV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox
Channel lineup: A&E, AMC, Android, AXS TV, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg Television, Bravo, Cartoon Network, Cheddar, Cheddar Big News, CNN, Comedy Central, Cox, Discovery Channel, EPIX Drive-In, Food Network, Fox News, Fuse, FX, HGTV, History, HLN, IFC, Lifetime, Mi Box, MSNBC, National Geographic, NBC, NBC Sports Network, Newsy, NFL Network, Nick Jr., SYFY, TBS, TiVo, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, Tribeca Shortlist, truTV, USA
Paramount+: CBS
Paramount+, costing only 9.99/month, offers CBS affiliate channels in most markets. However, there are some areas where you may not get a local CBS station.
For example, my area only offers On Demand content from the network.
In addition to that, the service also offers CBS Sports HQ, CBSN, ET Live, and a big on-demand library.
Price: $9.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, LG TV, PlayStation 4, Portal TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Vizio, Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Xfinity Flex
Channel lineup: CBS local channels, CBS Sports HQ, CBSN, ET Live
Hulu with Live TV: ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC
At $64.99, Hulu with Live TV costs $5 less than most of the competition (Youtube TV, DirecTV Stream).
That $5 might not sound like much but it could get you a whole other streaming service. Check out our guide to the best streaming services under $10.
Hulu's live TV offering carries the four major local networks. You'll get access to other channels like A&E, ESPN, and Bravo with your subscription.
Price: $75.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, iPhone, LG TV, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Roku TV, Samsung TV, Vizio Smart TV, Xbox
Channel lineup: A&E, ABC, ABC News Live, ACC Network (ACCN), Adult Swim, Animal Planet, Big Ten Network (BTN), Bloomberg, Boomerang, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar, CNBC, CNN, CNN International, Cozi TV, CW, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN College Extra, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), Fox Sports 2 (FS2), Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Golf Channel, HGTV, History, HLN, Investigation Discovery (ID), Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network (LMN), MotorTrend, MSNBC, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel, Oxygen, Pop, QVC, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, Start TV, SYFY, TBS, TCM (Turner Classic Movies), Telemundo, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, Universal Kids, USA, Vice, WGN America
Spectrum TV Choice: local channels depending on your area
Spectrum TV can either be cheap or expensive: there is no way to know unless you call them. Not so cord-cut-y of them, but it is a cable company after all.
This is their cable alternative option: and it usually runs cheaper than cable.
I'm an avid enthusiast with a deep understanding of cord-cutting services and streaming platforms, having extensively researched and experienced various options available in the market. My knowledge encompasses the technical aspects, pricing structures, and channel lineups of popular services. Let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:
Sling TV:
- Pricing: $40/month.
- Channels: Offers NBC and FOX in select markets, making it a cost-effective option.
- Device Availability: Compatible with AirTV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox.
- Channel Lineup: Includes a range of national channels such as ESPN, A&E, Lifetime, and more.
DirecTV:
- Pricing: $75.99/month.
- Channels: Boasts an extensive local channel lineup, covering NBC, PBS, ABC, FOX, Telemundo, and CBS.
- Device Availability: Accessible on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Roku TV, Samsung TV.
- Channel Lineup: A diverse array of channels, from A&E to CNN, ESPN, Fox News, HGTV, and many more.
Paramount+:
- Pricing: $9.99/month.
- Channels: Offers CBS affiliate channels, including CBS Sports HQ, CBSN, ET Live, and a substantial on-demand library.
- Device Availability: Compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, LG TV, PlayStation 4, Portal TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Vizio, Xbox.
Hulu with Live TV:
- Pricing: $64.99/month.
- Channels: Covers major local networks - ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Also provides access to other popular channels like A&E, ESPN, and Bravo.
- Device Availability: Supports Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, iPhone, LG TV, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Samsung TV, Vizio Smart TV, Xbox.
- Channel Lineup: Offers a comprehensive range of channels, from news networks to entertainment channels like ESPN and Bravo.
Spectrum TV Choice:
- Pricing: Variable (depends on negotiation).
- Channels: Local channels vary depending on the area.
- Nature: A cable alternative from Spectrum, with pricing subject to negotiation.
These services cater to diverse preferences and needs, so it's crucial to consider factors like local channel availability, specific channel preferences, and budget constraints when choosing a cord-cutting solution. Always check with each service to confirm channel availability in your region.
