Skip to Content

How to Choose the Cheapest Streaming Service with Local Channels

How to Choose the Cheapest Streaming Service with Local Channels

Looking to watch your local channels without breaking the bank? The Streamable recommends Sling TV as your best choice, but it doesn’t give you everything. We’ll explain.

Why Sling TV is the Best Choice

The most important local channels are ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Sling TV offers all except CBS. One word of caution, however. Sling doesn’t offer every affiliate in every market (see below).

Sling offers two primary packages: Orange and Blue. The Blue package is $45.99 / month and can provide ABC, NBC, and FOX. Sling usually offers your first month of service for 50% off.

No other service comes close in price.

Sling allows you to scale up your channel package with lots of add-on options. It’s what I use for NFL football every year.

Users also get an upgradable 50-hour cloud DVR to store your recordings.

Local Channels on Sling TV

Market FOX Station NBC Station ABC Station
Atlanta WAGA
Austin KTBC
Boston WBTS
Chicago WFLD WMAQ WLS
Dallas/Fort Worth KDFW KXAS
Detroit WJBK
Fresno KFSN
Gainesville WOGX
Hartford/New Haven WVIT
Houston KRIV KTRK
Los Angeles KTTV KNBC KABC
Miami/Fort Lauderdale WTVJ
Milwaukee WITI
Minneapolis/St. Paul KMSP
New York WNYW WNBC WABC
Orlando/Daytona/Melbourne WOFL
Philadelphia WTXF WCAU WPVI
Phoenix KSAZ
Raleigh-Durham WTVD
San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose KTVU KNTV KGO
San Diego KNSD
Seattle KCPQ
Tampa/St. Petersburg WTVT
Washington, DC WTTG WRC

Single-Channel Options: Peacock and Paramount+

If you have only need CBS, choose Paramount+ with Showtime. That service costs $12.99 and you get 24/7 access to your live local CBS station. This is a perfect choice for anyone who gets Sling and needs CBS.

If you only need NBC, Peacock includes your live local affiliate with the $13.99 tier.

There is no standalone streaming service for ABC or FOX.

Use an Antenna

Every cord-cutter should have an antenna. It will save you in the event of an internet outage or carriage dispute. As long as you live close enough to your stations’ transmitters, you’ll get dozens of local options. You can choose indoor antennas or outdoor options. For most people, an indoor antenna is fine. Get started with either of these choices.

Channel Master Flatenna Ultra-Thin Indoor TV Antenna

Up to 35 Mile Range

Winegard FlatWave Amped Digital HD Indoor Amplified TV Antenna

Up to 60 Mile Range

Tip: Invest in a HDHomerun box and stream/record TV for free forever

More Expensive Options

If Sling, Peacock, Paramount+, or an antenna don’t appeal to you, the price will go up dramatically. All the other streamers with local channels are much more expensive.

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo Sling TV YouTube
Free Trial Free Trial Free 3-Day Trial Free Trial Get 50% OFF Sign Up
$86.99 $94.99 $82.99 $28 $45.99 $45.99 $82.99
ABC - -
CBS - - -
Fox - -
NBC - -

Among these options, we recommend DIRECTV STREAM for its excellent channel lineup, great user interface, and unlimited DVR. Hulu Live TV is another strong choice and it includes free ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu on-demand.

For budget-minded streamers, Sling is the clear choice. If Sling falls short, there are other options, but the price can escalate quickly.

Sling TV

Sling TV is The Streamable’s choice for cord cutters on a budget. Sling is a live TV streaming service with multiple channel packages. The $45.99/month Sling Orange plan offers about 30 channels, including Disney Channel and ESPN. The $45.99/month Sling Blue plan offers about 40 channels, including ABC, Fox, and NBC in major markets.

You can combine Orange+Blue for a total of $60.99 / month. Sling also offers many channel add-on packages starting at $6/month.

Get 50% OFF

Limited Time: Get 50% OFF Your First Month of Sling TV


Ben Bowman was the Content Director of The Streamable. He cut the cord in 2009. He roots for all Detroit sports and is a fan of Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Edgar Wright, Paul Thomas Anderson, Billy Wilder, Buster Keaton, and the Coen Brothers. Ben streams on an Apple TV.

DIRECTV STREAM Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.