The 8 Best Live Local TV Streaming Services

Photo: Oleg Elkov/Getty

Though switching over to a streamer may seem like a no-brainer, you might be hesitant if you’re worried about losing your local channels. This guide breaks down which streaming services subscribers can count on to provide network affiliates, regional sports networks, and more great local offerings.

Local Streaming Services Guide

Best Access

Sign Up Now

All packages include local channels.

There are four plan options at four different price points.

An online quiz will help determine the best package for you.

ConsRegional sports networks are not available in the base tier.Two of the plans cost over $100 a month.

Regional sports networks are not available in the base tier.

Two of the plans cost over $100 a month.

Base Price:$69.99/month |Total No. of Channels:75+ |Free Trial?Yes |Option to Record?Yes

Fubo

There are more than 200 local markets.

Nearly every available market includes ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC affiliates.

ConsThere are a limited number of RSNs.

There are a limited number of RSNs.

Fubo’sweek-long free trialshould help you decide whether the streamer has all of the content you want. If you feel like something is missing, check out the service’s lengthy list of add-ons for more sports, news, and entertainment channels.

Base Price:$79.99/month |Total No. of Channels:200+ |Free Trial?Yes |Option to Record?Yes

Customers can easily view their local channel lineup before creating an account.

They offer unlimited DVR storage.

There’s an ad-free option for on-demand content.

There are an extremely limited number of RSNs.

Base Price:$76.99/month |Total No. of Channels:95+ |Free Trial?No |Option to Record?Yes

ProsLocal coverage includes PBS affiliates.They offer a free trial to test the service.There’s no cap on DVR space.ConsThere are an extremely limited number of RSNs.

ProsLocal coverage includes PBS affiliates.They offer a free trial to test the service.There’s no cap on DVR space.

Local coverage includes PBS affiliates.

They offer a free trial to test the service.

There’s no cap on DVR space.

ConsThere are an extremely limited number of RSNs.

Base Price:$72.99/month |Total No. of Channels:100+ |Free Trial?Yes |Option to Record?Yes

Limited Access

ProsTwo of the three plans are under $50 a month.There are more than 45 individual channel add-ons.They offer several ongoing bundles, including an NFL package.ConsYou must pair your Sling subscription with an HD antenna to get most local stations.Without an HD antenna, Fox and NBC affiliates are only available in select markets.

ProsTwo of the three plans are under $50 a month.There are more than 45 individual channel add-ons.They offer several ongoing bundles, including an NFL package.

Two of the three plans are under $50 a month.

There are more than 45 individual channel add-ons.

They offer several ongoing bundles, including an NFL package.

ConsYou must pair your Sling subscription with an HD antenna to get most local stations.Without an HD antenna, Fox and NBC affiliates are only available in select markets.

You must pair your Sling subscription with an HD antenna to get most local stations.

Without an HD antenna, Fox and NBC affiliates are only available in select markets.

Another way to save is with one of the service’s bundles. For instance, new customers can save $5 every month for up to six months when they get Sling Orange + NBA League Pass.

Base Price:$40/month |Total No. of Channels:30+ |Free Trial?No |Option to Record?Yes

Vidgo

ConsFox and ABC affiliates are only available in select markets.

Fox and ABC affiliates are only available in select markets.

One category that Vidgo excels in is college sports. Most NCAA networks are included in the service’s base plan, as is ESPNU and Stadium. You’re also getting more than 110 channels for less than $70 a month, which is one of the better streaming deals out there.

Base Price:$69.99/month |Total No. of Channels:110+ |Free Trial?No |Option to Record?Yes

Extremely Limited Access

Key SpecsParamount+PeacockBase Price$11.99/month$5.99/monthNetwork Affiliates OfferedCBSNBCFree Trial?NoNoOption to Record?NoNoParamount+Sign Up NowProsThe premium plan costs $11.99 a month.ConsThe only local offering is your CBS affiliate.Local CBS stations are not included in the cheaper Essential plan ($5.99/month).Given thatParamount+is CBS' streaming service, it’s not surprising that the platform only offers access to local CBS stations. It’s important to note that in order to stream your CBS affiliate, you must sign up for Paramount+’s Premium plan, which costs $11.99 per month. The cheaper Essential package ($5.99/month) does not include local programming.Base Price:$11.99/month |Total No. of Channels:Not disclosed |Free Trial?No |Option to Record?NoPeacockSign Up NowProsThis is the cheapest way to stream a local channel.You’ll get access to everySunday Night Footballgame.ConsThere is currently no DVR capability.Peacockmay be NBC’s streaming service, but access to NBC affiliates is pretty restricted. Currently, the only markets that can stream local NBC stations through Peacock are Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and South Florida. But what the platform lacks in local content, it makes up for in live sporting events. Peacock is the exclusive streaming partner of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and simulcasts every football game that airs on NBC.Base Price:$5.99/month |Total No. of Channels:50+ |Free Trial?No |Option to Record?No

Key SpecsParamount+PeacockBase Price$11.99/month$5.99/monthNetwork Affiliates OfferedCBSNBCFree Trial?NoNoOption to Record?NoNo

Paramount+Sign Up NowProsThe premium plan costs $11.99 a month.ConsThe only local offering is your CBS affiliate.Local CBS stations are not included in the cheaper Essential plan ($5.99/month).Given thatParamount+is CBS' streaming service, it’s not surprising that the platform only offers access to local CBS stations. It’s important to note that in order to stream your CBS affiliate, you must sign up for Paramount+’s Premium plan, which costs $11.99 per month. The cheaper Essential package ($5.99/month) does not include local programming.Base Price:$11.99/month |Total No. of Channels:Not disclosed |Free Trial?No |Option to Record?No

Paramount+

ProsThe premium plan costs $11.99 a month.ConsThe only local offering is your CBS affiliate.Local CBS stations are not included in the cheaper Essential plan ($5.99/month).

ProsThe premium plan costs $11.99 a month.

The premium plan costs $11.99 a month.

ConsThe only local offering is your CBS affiliate.Local CBS stations are not included in the cheaper Essential plan ($5.99/month).

The only local offering is your CBS affiliate.

Local CBS stations are not included in the cheaper Essential plan ($5.99/month).

Given thatParamount+is CBS' streaming service, it’s not surprising that the platform only offers access to local CBS stations. It’s important to note that in order to stream your CBS affiliate, you must sign up for Paramount+’s Premium plan, which costs $11.99 per month. The cheaper Essential package ($5.99/month) does not include local programming.

Base Price:$11.99/month |Total No. of Channels:Not disclosed |Free Trial?No |Option to Record?No

PeacockSign Up NowProsThis is the cheapest way to stream a local channel.You’ll get access to everySunday Night Footballgame.ConsThere is currently no DVR capability.Peacockmay be NBC’s streaming service, but access to NBC affiliates is pretty restricted. Currently, the only markets that can stream local NBC stations through Peacock are Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and South Florida. But what the platform lacks in local content, it makes up for in live sporting events. Peacock is the exclusive streaming partner of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and simulcasts every football game that airs on NBC.Base Price:$5.99/month |Total No. of Channels:50+ |Free Trial?No |Option to Record?No

Peacock

ProsThis is the cheapest way to stream a local channel.You’ll get access to everySunday Night Footballgame.ConsThere is currently no DVR capability.

ProsThis is the cheapest way to stream a local channel.You’ll get access to everySunday Night Footballgame.

This is the cheapest way to stream a local channel.

You’ll get access to everySunday Night Footballgame.

ConsThere is currently no DVR capability.

There is currently no DVR capability.

Peacockmay be NBC’s streaming service, but access to NBC affiliates is pretty restricted. Currently, the only markets that can stream local NBC stations through Peacock are Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and South Florida. But what the platform lacks in local content, it makes up for in live sporting events. Peacock is the exclusive streaming partner of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and simulcasts every football game that airs on NBC.

Base Price:$5.99/month |Total No. of Channels:50+ |Free Trial?No |Option to Record?No

Our Verdict

Comparing Streaming Services with Local Channels

To find the best streaming services with local channels, we reviewed nearly 45 platforms, looking at more than a dozen criteria. A service’s local offerings were weighted most heavily, but we also considered its full list of features, including DVR capabilities and channel add-ons.

When researching a streamer, our team collected data on the number of affiliate networks available, the base price for a package with local and regional sports networks, and any location restrictions. Finally, we kept track of how many simultaneous streams each service allows and whether subscribers can try out the platform through a free trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Another difference between the two is their DVR capabilities. While YouTube provides unlimited DVR storage, your recordings will expire after nine months. Fubo caps your DVR space at 1,000 hours, but your recordings won’t expire as long as your subscription is active.

Does Philo have local channels?

Does ABC have a streaming service?

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source: people.com