Cable customers in some markets have recently lost local stations as companies cut costs or hit carriage disputes, which is exactly why more viewers are looking for a better backup plan. Earlier this week, dozens of stations owned by the E.W. Scripps Company went dark for Comcast/Xfinity subscribers.
Disputes like this are frustrating for subscribers as millions of people nationwide rely on their local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and CW affiliates for news and live events. The good news is that the days of being locked into a cable package and paying unnecessary fees are over.
In 2026, several popular live TV streaming options don’t force you into a long-term contract like cable or charge installation fees. There are plenty of ways to keep watching local news, weather, sports, and primetime network TV on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, tablets, phones, and other compatible devices. The best choice depends on whether you want the closest thing to cable, the lowest price, or a simple one-time fix with an antenna.
YouTube TV: An Easy All-Around Replacement
YouTube TV remains one of the cleanest cable swaps for people who want a broad local-channel lineup. The service has a base plan for $82.99 per month, which includes 100+ channels, unlimited DVR, 6 household accounts, and 3 streams, with complete local network coverage in over 98% of U.S. TV households. If your top priority is watching ABC, CBS, NBC, The CW, FOX, PBS, and other local channels with the least amount of fiddling, YouTube TV’s base plan is a straightforward option.
YouTube TV also offers skinny bundles with fewer networks, which include some local channels:
- Sports Plan ($64.99 per month): Sports-themed package, includes ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, and 25+ channels.
- Sports + News ($69.99 per month): Adds major news networks to the Sports Plan, featuring 35+ channels.
For a limited time, new users can get their first 5 months of the YouTube TV base plan for $67.99 per month after a free trial.
Hulu + Live TV: Best Bundle for Disney Content & Live Sports
Hulu + Live TV is currently $89.99 per month after a 3-day free trial, and it includes 100+ live channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (With Ads), and ESPN Select/Unlimited access. The Disney-backed streamer carries ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, The CW, PBS and other local stations.
It’s a strong pick for network TV watchers who also want a big on-demand library. Instead of paying for a live-TV service and then adding Disney+ separately, Hulu folds them together into a single bundle, making it feel like a more complete entertainment package.
DIRECTV: The Most Cable-Like Option With Strong Local Coverage
For those who want a more traditional TV feel, DIRECTV is a good fit. DIRECTV offers satellite-free viewing with its wide range of streaming packages. Each package includes unlimited DVR, unlimited streams on your home network, multiview options, and a five-day free trial for new subscribers.
Local channel watchers can stream CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, and more, depending on the plan:
- MyNews ($39.99 per month): A skinny-bundle Genre Pack featuring local broadcast affiliates (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS, where available) along with national news networks like CNN, Fox News, and MSNOW.
- MySports ($44.99 for the first two months): This Genre Pack is designed for sports fans who watch games live on local channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC in most markets, plus ESPN, FS1, and top national networks. Right now, new subscribers can save $40 over the first two months.
- MySports & MyNews Duo ($59.99 for the first two months): This Genre Pack combines the previous two, with 30+ networks an,d you get $20 in monthly savings for the first two months.
- Traditional Streaming Packages (Starting at $59.99 per month): DIRECTV also offers three traditional streaming packages (Entertainment, Choice, and Ultimate) that feature the Big Four and other local channels. New subscribers can get the first month of the Choice plan for only $59.99, slashing $35 off for a limited time.
If you want the most “cable-like” replacement with local channels built in, DIRECTV is one of the strongest choices. The diverse selection of plans allows you to discover which is the right fit for your viewing habits.
Fubo: Built for Sports Fans Who Still Want Locals
Fubo is especially attractive for sports-heavy households, but it also covers locals well. Of the Big Four, Fubo’s local programming includes ABC, CBS, and FOX with CW stations in most markets. However, the service doesn’t carry NBC, but you can watch your local NBC with Peacock.
The Disney-backed streamer includes unlimited DVR, up to 10 simultaneous streams, multiview, and a free trial for new subscribers. The base plan, Pro, includes the aforementioned locals, 210+ channels, ESPN Unlimited access, and $25 off the first month, dropping the price to $48.99.
For more content, Fubo is running a promo on the Elite and Deluxe plans with a $30 discount. Elite packs 280+ channels, with 4K included for $53.99 on the first month, and Deluxe adds MGM+, International Spots Plus, and 300+ channels for $73.99 for the first month.
Sling: The Budget-Friendly Live-TV Choice
Sling features three of the Big Four local networks in its lineup. The flexible low-cost live-TV option carries FOX, NBC and ABC in its streaming lineup, and you can find your local CBS with Paramount+.
For local viewing, Sling Blue costs $49.99 per month and includes FOX, ABC, and NBC access in select markets, and 40+ channels. Sling Blue also comes with 3 streams and 50 hours of cloud DVR. There’s also a 3-month prepay option for $114.99.
Sling Orange doesn’t include local networks, but with Sling Orange & Blue, you get the best of both worlds. New subscribers can get their first month of Sling Orange & Blue for half off ($29.99), and stream 50+ channels, up to four screens simultaneously, with 50 hours of cloud DVR included. You can also lock in three months by prepaying $159.99.
Sling also stands out for short-term access as it offers 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day passes, which are handy if you only need locals for a game, an awards show, or the weekend. However, the pass options do not include local channels, but they’re worth a look if you don’t need to pay for the full month of service for a special occasion.
If your goal is to save money and still get some local stations, Sling shines as one of the best values.
Antennas & Standalone Options
If you want the simplest way to get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, and often CW for free, an over-the-air antenna is still the best long-term move. Most people can watch live local channels for free with an OTA antenna, and using a site like Antennas Direct can help you find which affiliates are in your area and the best antenna if the signal is strong enough.
Plus, Antennas Direct is currently running a spring sale, so now is the perfect time to upgrade your local viewing setup. Combine that with a DVR, Tablo, or a personal media server like Plex, and recording your favorite shows, events, or local broadcasts becomes a lot easier.
The Big Four networks also offer their own standalone streaming services, so you can stream your local ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX feed without paying for a bundle of other networks:
- Disney+ — Starts at $12.99 per month and is the home of everything Disney, including Marvel, Star Wars, NatGeo, FX, and thousands of on-demand titles. In select markets nationwide, live local ABC news feeds are available to stream 24/7.
- Paramount+ Premium — For $13.99 per month, this ad-free plan features your local CBS affiliate, Showtime’s library, 20,000+ titles from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, and more. Plus, live sports, including the WNBA, UFC, NFL, PGA Tour, and Zuffa Boxing, among others.
- Peacock Premium Plus — The ad-free tier includes a 24/7 stream of your local NBC station, the Universal and NBC library of movies and shows, live sports, including the NBA, NFL, MLB, and more, for only $16.99 per month. For $3 more per month, you can unlock even more premium content with the Apple TV bundle.
- FOX One — After a 7-day free trial, for $19.99 per month, FOX One packs all of FOX’s live sports, news, and entertainment in one place. Stream live feeds of news, sports, weather, and more.