How to Watch Local Channels Without an Antenna

[@FrugalRules]

What’s your preferred way to get local networks?

[@Rayraywheelz]

KZbin tv

[@Doug41160]

antenna

[@jameskilrain9350]

Antenna.Know,it won,t work for everyone.If you are too far from the broadcasting towers.

[@stevena2230]

I have KZbin TV for my main TV. I also have a TV with an indoor antenna in a spare bedroom. I live in central NJ so I get all the New York City major networks and get about 65 channels in all with very good reception. I was surprised at how many free channels that I can get with an antenna.

[@FrugalRules]

@@stevena2230 Yep, we've traveled to cities where you can get ~80-90 channels via OTA. We get ~40-45 here in Omaha. Using an antenna is an overlooked tool that can save money...assuming you can get good reception of course.

[@lindashepard8801]

I bought a $20 antenna and installation was easy. Now I have NBC and CBS and a few stations with older shows. I'm so proud of myself since I'm 74 years young!

[@louisd95714]

I've already commented in this video, but in my opinion, nirvana would be reached if cable 2.0 providers like YTTV offered two main tiers: tiers with local channels, and tiers without local channels. The tier without local channels could be about $30.00 less. I think those two tiers would be perfect.

[@10XTrace]

You guys rock! Scaling down and then realizing mom is losing some local live shows. Thanks!

[@worldview730]

Nice no nonsense presentation of good advice & info.

[@Siggy328]

I couldn't have come across this at a better time as I am DEF going to cut the cord ASAP but just sooooo much info to digest😵‍💫 I am thinking about buying the FLATenna. Any thoughts? TIA!

[@MartialartsfitnessUSA]

What i want is to record my local channels on a dvr of some kind, if there is a good one that works well i could switch to philo and save tons of money. Philo has everything except for locals

[@louisd95714]

Another way to get live news is via the CBS channel in SamsungTV. Since I installed an antenna and AirTV2, I am more and more thinking of giving up YTTV and moving over to a less expensive option like Sling, and only if needed. I truly don't get why I have to pay for local broadcast channels when it is intended to be free of charge. It's like us walking from one place to another, and paying someone else to use our own shoes. I don't get it..

[@FrugalRules]

We definitely get it as we're not fans of broadcast retransmission fees either. Unfortunately, there's no real way around them, if you go with a live service, as it gets charged to them and they pass it on. That's why we're such big fans of using an OTA, if you can. 🙂

[@mikecavallo5854]

Just saw this the other day: "Peacock is adding live streams of local NBC affiliates to its ad-free Premium Plus subscription plan. The streaming service said the 24/7 channel will be available in all 210 NBC affiliate markets on November 30, with some Premium Plus subscribers getting access as early as Wednesday as part of a soft launch"

[@FrugalRules]

Yep, it's a nice add-on. We wouldn't personally pay for it, but it could be good for those who like NBC shows.

[@jensotube]

I get my locals through KZbin TV. My original plan was to get all locals through my antenna and my "cable" channels through Sling TV. I could not get the Tablo to work properly. So I stuck with KZbin TV. I like their DVR. Did you hear that Sling is increasing their rates by $5/mo.? Sling Blue would cost me $40, plus five extra for the 200 hour DVR.

[@FrugalRules]

YT TV really is a good option if you want a cable like experience, plus to get your locals. Yep, we had put something in our community about it as we were out of town when the news broke. It's unfortunate, but we felt it was inevitable after their issues with Disney. We never like seeing price hikes, but given their last one was January '21 we feel a little better about it. They're supposedly going to add a few new features to at least provide *some* value for it. That said, it's another selling point for YT TV having gone even longer without one.

[@Hbant3]

Locast was our favorite before they shut down :(

[@FrugalRules]

Yep, it's too bad they were shut down. It was a good service.

[@jonespatrick3593]

Hi

[@spencerkarterlive7378]

I miss Locast too :(

[@DVTOM]

All streaming services should have local and national networks free. One day there is going to be an emergency and no one will know because many don't watch networks because of costs.

[@spaceghost4474]

The main issue I have with all these free "locals" is that for the majority of us, they aren't true local channels. I live in the Naples, Ft. Myers, Cape Coral area of Florida and the closest of the local feeds are news only, and THEY are out of the Tampa or Miami areas, which basically hold no value for me. I guess I'm old fashioned, but I still want a service that gives me as much of the content I want on one app, like KZbin tv provides. I find having to switch back and forth between apps like Peacock just to watch local channels EXTREMELY inconvenient.

[@FrugalRules]

That is certainly a drawback, especially if you're needing to rely on it for local news. That convenience aspect is also a big issue for some, and we get the not wanting to go back and forth between different services. If the latter isn't an issue for you (generally speaking here), then there can be some potential nice savings. Like many things in streaming, we think it depends on what's most important to you as the streamer. 🙂

[@carolynnegron4671]

We lose the right to the airwaves being free? When did we lose that right?

[@spaceghost4474]

@@carolynnegron4671 When cable tv came into being, the handwriting was on the wall.

[@paulmyers2912]

@@carolynnegron4671you didn’t lose the right to free airwaves. Get an over the air antenna installed and you’ll have access to the free airwaves.

[@pmjeterjr]

Thanks again for information. I am fortunate enough to have a few options. I use an antenna I also still have a working Amazon Fire recast and they aggregate some of the free broadcast app into a tv like menu that works pretty decent.

[@FrugalRules]

Using an OTA really is the best option, in our opinion. We really liked how the integrated things with the Recast platform. Sad to see it was cut though.

[@Texg1rl_]

Imagine a world where everyone was able to get local channels with an antenna. So anyone even in the country could get them. Then imagine a president took that ability away.

[@ericumali9322]

Thank you for the tip for Puffer. It works perfectly for me and it is all I need.

[@loubecker8784]

Does a cell phone work good for puffer?

[@at9546]

Yes works on cell

[@sharonrodgers7044]

Need to directions to get live channels with a DVR Philips TV recording shows

[@joepartlow]

Good information, thanks!

[@MrModamanReviews]

The network apps will allow you to watch the last three to six episodes (depending on the show) of a series for free (with ads). I use an antenna to watch ota networks though.

[@marcrm02888]

Great video, thanks! And Nicole you wear the coolest shirts! 🙂

[@FrugalRules]

Aw, thanks! 🙂

[@ashleywilkins9644]

I DVR everything now so to be clear, if I have access to local news and I'm ok to wait till the next day to watch a show on abc, cbs,nbc, fox, cw, bravo, history, discovery and paramount, is the cheapest AND simplest option still to look at KZbin Live or Hulu Live?

[@FrugalRules]

You'd want to look at Hulu Live as YT TV doesn't have the History Channel.

[@francissmith3232]

Thanks for all your information! You guys did a great job

[@timcamden9705]

I have an antenna and can receive 2 CBS and 2 FOX stations, each in different markets, 1 in Bears and the other in Colts market but I still can't get MNF even when the teams are out of market.

[@FrugalRules]

That's cool you can get CBS/FOX in two different markets. MNF requires ESPN, though they do simulcast some of them on ESPN+, so you'd need a live service that includes ESPN to get them. The NFL+ app is also a possibility, but you can only watch it live on a device. They let you stream via TV soon after the game is over though.

[@timcamden9705]

I wish we could just subscribe to ESPN and get sports without the stuff I don't need. Apparently I need sports!

[@FrugalRules]

@@timcamden9705 A lot of people would be right there with you, us included. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be in the cards...in the near future at least.

[@timcamden9705]

Why do you think the NFL schedule shows last night's game was carried by Fox and CBS but the * says "not on your area"?. I asked my sister in TN , same thing. Was there anywhere that Fox and CBS carried it?

[@loraj4712]

If you "cut the chord" but are still getting internet from a cable company, can you still plug the coaxial that used to go to the cable box directly into your TV? When I would move into a new place I would do this to get the broadcast channels until I could get the cable company to come out. is that still an option? It's been a while since I have moved.

[@jensotube]

I don't know which company you have. I have Charter Spectrum and their service is coded so that you cannot access ANY channels without a set-top box or a cablecard.

[@timcamden9705]

I couldn't do that. What l did was isolate the coax cable to the room with my WIFI router and connect the internet feed directly to it (bypass the coax splitter). I then routed the feed from my OTA to the input of the splitter. Now, all my rooms , except the one with the router, have signal from OTA and all the devices can stream with WIFI.

[@iluv691]

U might be able to get channels 1 through 13 but they also might have gone full scrambling on all channels.

[@Rayraywheelz]

KZbin is the best and less expensive

[@bennygreene1421]

After I finish scanning for antenna channels and then hit OKAY the TV immediately starts scanning CABLE channels. So what am I doing wrong? I only want OTA, over the air.

[@jugghead82]

Awesome Review Awesome Beard Good Vid

[@PhyllisCohen-cw9gb]

We recently subscribed to Hulu Live. There are 2 items that have me screaming. First, I am unable to see what shows I have requested to be recorded in the next few days. In addition, when I scroll ahead in the Live section to see the next day or so, there are no red dots for those shows even though I told it to record New only. Sometimes it records them and sometimes it doesn't. My 2nd item is that I can't delete shows I told to record New only. They keep recording. please help!!!!

[@Theoldguy--1]

I’m confused about the recording feature. Any program tv show or movie that Hulu airs is available to watch again the next day. Search by name, channel or show/ movie.

[@mariannejennisch9293]

My peacock only gets local with plus plan

[@charlenesmith8550]

Give me the best plan!

[@iamantiwar2003]

You can't, the local stations have became greedy as hell.

[@oliverearnest7081]

So lets say your antenna stops out of no where, if that happens what is your go to option for online tv right away?

[@FrugalRules]

Hi Oliver, in terms of "online TV" if you mean streaming, you would need to sign up with a streaming service. If you wanted all your locals, you'd need KZbin TV, Hulu Live or fubo. If you just wanted NBC, you could go with Peacock. If you want CBS, go with Paramount Plus. If you are just having troubles with your antenna and want to get that back online, this page from Antennas Direct has some common troubleshooting tips you could try: www.antennasdirect.com/antenna-troubleshooting.html Thanks!

[@Rayraywheelz]

Peacock has removed their free title

[@FrugalRules]

For new subscribers, yes.

[@anthonymoreno4391]

So cable companies are charging double and triple costs.

[@cherryblossom9482]

ikr. I cancelled cable 4 years ago

[@chrisjoseph6775]

These TV Channels either need to provide online rebroadcasting for free or stop getting tax breaks for broadcasting. They intentionally offer crappy signal broadcasts to force people to pay for rebroadcasting via a streaming service.

[@davidhester8597]

Man there smart just pay for the channels.

[@persia007]

Too bad you have to pay for free tv cause of living to far from tv towers most antanas can't reach due to hill environment.

[@rkmklz7562]

All the apps on smart TVs and Roku is Garbage....the channels that have So Called Live is Tayler made Trash 🗑️...that means they are recording the channels and editing the live games out ..I have tested all of them...Fox Sports....I had the same channel from anther source then I put it on the Roku app...it was not live...it did not have the game I was watching....this should be let out about this ...the same with Fire sticks. Tubi....Local... don't have what it should have....if I was in a house instead of a Complex.. I would have Satellite TV Dishes and ditch streaming all together....!!!!!...also a Good Multi Band Antenna also.... unfortunately I don't have a yard like I did in the 1980 and 1990s.... back than I had the world on both TV and Radio!!!😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@djpjrn]

Are both of them are Amish? The look and sound like amish!

[@FrugalRules]

Seeing as the Amish community largely disavows all things electric, we can assure you that we're not Amish. 🤣

[@tombucher3367]

@@FrugalRules What's your point? Who cares whether these folks are Amish or whatever? They're providing info re free local TV. (btw, Amish men have beards but no moustaches. Elaborate moustaches were worn by European warmongers of the past and so the lack of one is a peace sign.)✌

[@professorpauls7362]

are you menonites since you are not amish ?🤏🦗🤏🪳🍦🤡🎪