While cable channels usually attract much of the attention in the general discourse over linear TV, local broadcast channels are still a very important part of the equation. Channels like ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, NBC, and PBS offer highly localized news and notifications about community events, as well as live sports, primetime programming, and more. Live TV streaming services usually offer at least some access to local broadcast channels, but what about on-demand streamers like Paramount+? Can you access any of the top local broadcast channels with a Paramount+ subscription? Find out all the details you need to know below.

Everything you need to know about watching local channels on Paramount+

Can you watch local channels on Paramount+?

While Paramount+ does not offer total access to local broadcast channels, the streamer does allow viewers in all American markets to stream their local CBS station live if they subscribe to its Premium plan. This tier is Paramount+’s ad-free plan, costing $14 per month, and also includes the on-demand SHOWTIME library. The CBS livestream includes all programming on the channel in your area, including news, sports, and primetime.

What other live content is found on Paramount+?

Although the live stream of CBS is limited to the Paramount+ Premium plan, ad-supported Paramount+ Essential customers can watch a large selection of live programming on the service, including news and live sports like NFL football games, UFC events, UEFA Champions League soccer matches, and more.

What alternatives are there to Paramount+ for watching locals?

If you want to stream ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, NBC, and PBS all on the same platform, Paramount+ isn’t the right choice. The good news is, there are several live TV streamers that will let you stream more than one of these channels with a single subscription.

DIRECTV includes all of these channels in its Signature channel packages, the cheapest of which is the ENTERTAINMENT channel for $90 per month. Viewers who want to pay less for fewer channels can opt for DIRECTV Genre Packs instead; ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are available in the 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 in its Pro and Elite packages, though the service does not offer PBS access in any market. The Pro plan starts at $89 per month, but customers who want to save can opt for the Fubo Sports service, with 20+ channels — including ABC, CBS, and Fox, but no CW or NBC — for $65 per month.

Hulu + Live TV has just one channel package, but this plan includes all local channels in a package of 90+ total networks. Plans starting at $90 per month include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN streaming access as well as live broadcast and cable channels.

Sling TV offers ABC, Fox, and NBC in some of America’s largest TV markets, but coverage is not universal with this service. Those channels are found in the Blue package, starting at $46 per month, and the Select package, starting at $20 per month. Additional surcharges are included when receiving locals with Sling TV, and the service offers no CBS, The CW, or PBS access.

YouTube TV has local channel access in its base plan, which costs $83 per month. Viewers will also find local channels in many of YouTube TV’s genre-based plans, which start at $55 per month.

On-demand streamers

If you want to stream ABC without a live TV streaming service, you can find some access to ABC channels from eight markets around the United States on Disney+. This service offers news content from ABC stations in some of America’s biggest cities, though it does not have full live streams of all programming on these stations. ABC streams are available in all regions on all Disney+ plans.

Fox One allows viewers to watch sports, news, and primetime programming from their local Fox station, as well as Fox-owned channels like FS1, FS2, Fox News, and others. The service costs $20 per month, and can be bundled with ESPN Unlimited or Fox Nation.

Peacock carries a live stream of NBC in all American markets on the Premium Plus plan. It costs $17 per month, includes all Peacock sports, and ad-free access to most content in the Peacock entertainment library.

Can you watch local broadcast channels with an antenna?

Of course! If you want to watch local broadcast channels without having to pay a subscription fee of any kind, you can purchase an over-the-air antenna and receive all the local channels within its range. It’s a great way to get ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, NBC, and PBS without having to pay a monthly subscription fee to anyone for them.

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

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