How to connect antenna and get local channels with Sling TV
How to connect antenna and get local channels with Sling TV
Viewers can watch locals alongside Sling TV with no extra monthly fee, and can even see local channels in their Sling TV guide with select TVs.
The channel selection with Sling TV packages might be better than viewers expect, considering its $46 monthly starting price. But one of the ways that Sling keeps that price so low is by not including local broadcast channels in any but the largest American media markets.
Viewers in areas like Boston, Los Angeles, and New York can see ABC, Fox, and NBC with select Sling packages, but other customers aren’t so lucky, and the streamer doesn’t carry CBS anywhere. Don’t let this turn you off of Sling and onto a more expensive package if you’re considering your options; we’ll show you how to connect an antenna to your TV and watch local channels with Sling — and even how to see locals directly in your Sling channel guide with the right TV!
What you need to know about using an antenna with Sling TV
Which Sling TV plans already carry local channels, and where?
Sling TV carries ABC, Fox, and NBC in both its Blue and Select plans. The Blue plan starts at $46 per month for around 40 channels, while the Select plan normally costs $20 per month for 10+ channels. However, there are extra fees associated with both packages if you get local channels in your area; this bumps the price of Sling Blue to $55 per month, or Sling Select to $30 per month.
Check out the markets where Sling carries local channels below:
| 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 |
Why buy an over-the-air antenna?
An over-the-air (OTA) antenna connects directly to your TV, allowing you to receive ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC stations in your broadcast area, as well as PBS, The CW, and other channels. For the one-time cost of the antenna itself, customers can watch local channels with no monthly subscription fee once they purchase and connect the device.
How to connect an antenna with Sling TV
You can browse antennas here if you need to purchase a new one. Once you’ve got your chosen antenna, simply connect the coaxial cable to the port on the set you watch Sling TV on, then go into your TV’s settings menu to scan for channels. Wait a few minutes for your antenna to pick up all the channels available in your area, and you’re ready to go!
Can you see local channels in your Sling TV guide?
Yes! If you have a TV made by LG or VIZIO, and it’s a 2020 model or later, you can use an OTA antenna to see local broadcast channels directly in the Sling TV guide, without having to exit the Sling app.
To see local channels in your Sling guide on LG TVs:
- Purchase an OTA antenna.
- Connect it to your TV.
- Open LG Settings, then navigate to Channels.
- Click Channel Tuning, then Auto Tuning.
- Once your channels load, open the Sling app to view locals in your Sling guide.
To see local channels in the Sling guide with a VIZIO TV:
- Connect your antenna to the TV.
- Open the Sling TV app.
- Open Settings, then click Local channels.
- Select Configure locals, then Scan for Channels.
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.