Nearly every major streaming service offers at least some live content these days, but very few traditionally on-demand services allow viewers to watch local broadcast channels live on their platforms. Only streamers that are associated with companies that own linear channels do so, and even in these cases, not every service offers access to local channels on every plan. What about Disney+? The service’s parent company Disney also owns ABC, so does Disney+ carry a live stream of ABC anywhere? What about other local channels? We’ll explain everything you need to know about watching local channels on Disney+ below.

Can you watch local broadcast channels on Disney+?

Does Disney+ include any local broadcast channels?

Yes, Disney+ offers a selection of live content from ABC stations in the following markets: New York (WABC), Los Angeles (KABC), Chicago (WLS), Philadelphia (WPVI), Houston (KTRK), San Francisco (KGO), Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (WTVD), and Fresno, California (KFSN).

Disney+ added these streams in February, but there is a key fact to remember before tuning in: the channels are offering mostly news and weather content, and are not a 100% complete live stream of ABC channels from the markets listed. Primetime content and live sports shown on these ABC stations are not streamed on Disney+ daily.

Customers on all Disney+ plans are able to watch this ABC content on Disney+, though ad-free customers may still see some ads during playback of live content on the streamer. The channels are not geo-blocked, meaning viewers outside their home markets can also watch them.

What other live content is available on Disney+?

Disney+ has a robust selection of other live content available for all subscribers, including a sprinkling of marquee sports events from ABC and ESPN, primetime entertainment, special events like the release of Oscar nominees every year, the ABC News free streaming channel, and other programming. Check back with the streamer often to learn more about upcoming live events.

Which streamers can you use to watch live local channels?

Live TV streamers

You can use a live TV streaming service to watch local broadcast channels the same way you once could with a cable subscription. Local channels like ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, NBC, and PBS can be streamed with these services, depending on market and plan.

DIRECTV Signature channel packages include local broadcast channels, from ABC to PBS. The cheapest of these is the $90-per-month ENTERTAINMENT plan, but viewers can also choose to watch ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC in the MyNews Genre Pack for $45 per month, or the MySports Genre Pack for $65 per month with DIRECTV, as well.

Fubo doesn’t carry PBS, but it does have ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, and NBC in its Pro and Elite packages, starting at $89 per month. The Fubo Sports service includes ABC, CBS, and Fox, but no other locals, with a starting price of $65 per month.

Hulu + Live TV includes local channel access in nearly all American markets with its sole channel package. This plan has 90+ channels total, and costs $90 per month if you want Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select included.

Sling TV offers no access to CBS, The CW, or PBS, but it does carry ABC, Fox, and NBC in some American markets. A surcharge of around $5 to $10 per month is included with Sling in these areas; locals are found in Sling’s Blue plan ($46 per month), or its Select plan ($20 per month).

YouTube TV has local channels, including The CW and PBS, in its base channel package, which costs $83 per month. Local channels can also be found in various YouTube TV genre plans, which start at $55 per month.

On-demand streaming services

Apart from Disney+, there are other streamers that allow viewers to watch live programming from local broadcast channels.

Fox One allows viewers to access news, sports, and entertainment programming from their local Fox station, along with content from other Fox brands like Fox News and FS1. A subscription starts at $20 per month.

Paramount+ lets viewers watch a live stream of their local CBS station on its Premium tier, which costs $14 per month. Paramount+ Premium also includes the SHOWTIME library, as well as ad-free streaming of on-demand titles.

Peacock carries NBC in all American markets in its Premium Plus plan, which costs $17 per month.

Can you watch local broadcast channels with an antenna?

Absolutely. Using an over-the-air antenna connected to your TV can deliver affiliates of ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, NBC, and PBS to your home without any kind of subscription fee. Shop deals on new antennas today from major retailers below, and get your favorite local channels for no monthly cost.

• Shop antennas from Amazon.
• Shop antennas from Best Buy.
• Shop antennas from Target.
• Shop antennas from Walmart.

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