Does Apple TV have local broadcast channels?
Does Apple TV have local broadcast channels?
We’ll explain what you need to know about watching live TV with Apple TV below.
The ability to watch local broadcast channels used to be limited to viewers who had either an over-the-air antenna or a pay-TV package. But things have changed in a big way; in 2026, audiences can watch broadcast channels with live TV streaming services that allow them to access a huge selection of popular cable and broadcast networks using their Wi-Fi connection.
Some on-demand streaming services offer live broadcast channel access too, but not at the same level as live TV streamers. What about the entertainment streaming service Apple TV? We’ll explain what you need to know about watching local channels with Apple TV below.
All the details you need about watching local broadcast channels on Apple TV
Can you watch local channels on Apple TV?
No, unfortunately not. Apple TV does not include the ability to stream any local broadcast channels with its subscription. The service has a robust on-demand library of original TV shows and movies, but it has not expanded into live streams of local channels, and likely will not make any attempt to do so.
What live content is available on Apple TV?
Apple TV doesn’t carry a ton of live programming, but it does offer a selection of live sporting events. This includes every Major League Soccer game of the season through 2029, all Formula 1 races (as well as practice sessions and more), and a weekly doubleheader of MLB games every Friday night during the regular season.
All of these sporting events are included with an Apple TV subscription, so there’s no extra charge to watch them once you have an account.
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Which streamers allow you to watch local channels?
Live TV streaming services
If you’re looking to watch local broadcast channels via streaming, you can do so with a subscription to one of five major live TV streaming services.
DIRECTV carries ABC, CBS, The CW, NBC, and PBS in its Signature packages, which start at $90 per month for the service’s ENTERTAINMENT plan. Viewers can also stream ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC in DIRECTV’s MySports Genre Pack for $65 per month, or the MyNews Genre Pack for $45 per month.
Fubo offers ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, and NBC (but not PBS) in its Pro and Elite packages. The plans cost $89 and $99 per month before taxes and fees, respectively, and include sports, news, and entertainment channels. The Fubo Sports service also offers ABC, CBS, and Fox in a package of 20+ channels for $65 per month.
Hulu + Live TV carries major local broadcast channels in its core package, which costs $90 per month if you opt to bundle Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select in with the plan. It has 90+ total channels in its sole plan.
Sling TV only carries ABC, Fox, and NBC, and only in select markets (usually the largest metropolitan areas in the United States). It has three channels in its Blue plan for $46 per month, the Select plan for $20 per month, or the Orange and Blue plan for $61 per month. Keep in mind that Sling TV has a $5 to $10 monthly surcharge for receiving locals.
YouTube TV has local channels in its core plan for $83 per month, as well as several of its genre plans. ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are available in 98% of markets, but The CW and PBS access is a bit more restricted.
| DIRECTV | Fubo | Hulu | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Save with Sling | Free Trial | |||||
| $20.99 | $9.99 | $28.99 | $19.99 | $29.99 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $64.99 | ||
| ABC | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CBS | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | - | - | ✓ | |
| Fox | + $19 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NBC | + $19 | + $11 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| PBS | + $39 | - | + $61 | - | - | - | - | ✓ | |
| The CW | + $39 | + $59 | + $60 | - | - | - | - | ✓ | |
On-demand streamers
There are also a few on-demand streaming services that offer access to local broadcast channels, even though Apple TV is not among them.
Disney+ has news content from ABC stations in eight markets available to subscribers on all plans. This isn’t a full live stream of ABC, but it is available to subscribers in all locations around the United States. Disney+ plans start at $12 per month.
Fox One offers a full live stream of Fox in all American TV markets, as well as streams of FS1, Fox News, and more. The service costs $20 per month and can also be bundled with Fox Nation and ESPN Unlimited.
Paramount+ includes a live stream of CBS in all American markets for subscribers of its Premium plan. This ad-free tier of Paramount+ carries the streamer’s full library, live sports, the SHOWTIME library, and all news, sports, and entertainment programming on CBS for $13 per month.
Peacock carries NBC in all markets in its Premium Plus plan, which is mostly ad-free. This tier costs $17 per month and includes all live sports from Peacock, plus its full catalog of TV shows and movies.
Can you watch local channels with an antenna?
Definitely. An over-the-air (OTA) antenna may seem like a piece of antiquated equipment, but such devices can receive local broadcast channels from over 50 miles away, and usually cost less than $50. With the one-time purchase of an antenna, viewers can lock in their access to ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and other broadcast channels in their area with no subscription fees.
Shop antennas from major retailers using the links below:
- Shop antennas from Amazon.
- Shop antennas from Best Buy.
- Shop antennas from Target.
- Shop antennas from Walmart.
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