How to Stream Local TV Channels

Editor's Note: This story comes from CableTV.com.

One of the shortcomings of live TV streaming is the lack of local channels — not every service carries all of your local broadcast stations.

This means you could miss out on your favorite shows from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, PBS, Telemundo, and others, not to mention local news and sports programming.

Of the live TV streaming services we’ve reviewed, we think YouTube TV gets you the most local channels at the best price.

Read on for the deets on YTTV, as well as other options for streaming local channels — you’ll be seeing obnoxious local car dealership commercials in no time.

Best live TV streaming services for local channels

Here’s a breakdown for each service with price, number of channels, and number of local channels. (Local channel availability varies by area; data effective as of post date.)

• YouTube TV, our pick: $72.99/month, 100+, 10. View plans.
• Hulu + Live TV: $76.99-$89.99/month, 85+, 5. View plans.
• fuboTV: $74.99-$94.99/month, 140-215+, 6. View plans.
• DIRECTV STREAM: $64.99-$154.99/month, 75-150+, 8. View plans.
• Sling TV: $40-$55/month, 30-45+, 3. View plans.

As you can see, YouTube TV has the most local channels of any live TV streaming service. It’s also worth noting that YouTube TV and DIRECTV STREAM are the only live TV streaming services that carry your local PBS station.

Also, Sling TV might seem like a bad idea if you want to stream local channels, but you can pair the service with an HD antenna and you’ll be in business in no time flat.

In fact, Sling TV sometimes offers free HD antennas as a sign-up promotion, so check out our Sling TV Deals page for the latest offers.

Local channels on YouTube TV ($72.99/month)

YouTube TV, besides being our editorial choice for best overall live TV streaming service, also features complete local channel lineups in most markets.

It even has PBS, which is a rare get. YouTube TV’s cable channel selection (85+) and unlimited DVR are also pretty sweet.

YouTube TV local channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, PBS Kids, MyTV, Telemundo, Univision, and The CW (The CW is on-demand only in most markets).

Local channels on Hulu + Live TV ($76.99-$89.99/month)

Hulu + Live TV’s local channel lineups are nearly as inclusive as YouTube TV’s, minus PBS.

It also has fewer cable channels than YouTube TV, but Hulu + Live TV more than makes up for this with its massive on-demand library of 10,000+ shows, movies, and original content.

Its primary base plans even include Disney+ and ESPN+ for added entertainment.

Hulu + Live TV local channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and The CW (The CW is on-demand only in most markets).

Local channels on fuboTV ($74.99-$94.99/month)

FuboTV boasts super-sized channel lineups (its most basic plan has 120+ channels) and all the international soccer coverage you could ever want, as well as local channels.

But fuboTV’s local channel availability is spottier than YouTube TV or DIRECTV STREAM, so it’s less certain if your area will be covered.

FuboTV local channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Telemundo, Univision, and The CW (The CW is on-demand only in most markets).

Local channels on DIRECTV STREAM ($64.99-$154.99/month)

Like its satellite cousin, DIRECTV STREAM carries local channels in most markets.

It’s also one of the more expensive live TV streaming services but, if you like having a large array of channels to choose from (including regional sports networks), DIRECTV STREAM is worth checking out.

DIRECTV STREAM local stations: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, PBS, PBS Kids MyTV, and Telemundo.

Local channels on Sling TV ($40-$55/month)

Sling TV probably isn’t going to be anyone’s go-to choice for local channels — it only carries ABC, NBC, FOX stations in select markets, and one of its plans doesn’t have any local channels.

Still, Sling TV’s price is right: Sling Blue, the plan with ABC, NBC, and FOX, is only $40 a month.

Sling TV local channels: ABC, NBC, and FOX.