LocalBTV Review
LocalBTV gives users the ability to watch free local broadcast TV without an antenna on their computer, phone, tablet, or TV (aka virtual-over-the-air or vOTA streaming). The platform is available in 53 US markets/DMAs, powers 704 local broadcast TV channels, plus 88 “hyper-local” Community Video channels. The service paused operations in November 2023. It is unclear if it will return.
The service only streams channels that are in your area – local programming, comedy, movies, family-friendly channels, and classic TV shows, as well as channels serving bilingual viewers. Viewers will find local news and entertainment in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and more.
Along with ads, LocalBTV allows viewers to pause, rewind, forward, and record their favorite shows via a free cloud-based DVR with 1TB of storage (holds 300 hours of programming), and they can surf through the channel guide which has two weeks of upcoming program information. There is even a customized channel guide so viewers can choose to see only what they are interested in.
Review
We tested LocalBTV and other subscription streaming services for more than 100 hours. LocalBTV is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
Content
TV Shows
LocalBTV does not currently include major national network programming.
The platform is available in these US markets:
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy
- Alexandria (VA)
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Bakersfield
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Biloxi
- Minot-Bismarck-Dickinson
- Boston
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus (OH)
- Columbus (GA)
- Dallas
- Detroit
- Fargo
- Fresno
- Hartford
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Jackson
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Missoula
- Monterey
- Nashville
- New York City
- Norfolk
- Orlando
- Palm Beach
- Pensacola
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Reno
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- Seattle
- Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo
- St. Louis
- Tampa Bay
- Toledo
- Washington D.C.
- Wichita
It depends on what area you are in for the channels you’ll have access to. For instance, there could be networks/channels like: COZI TV, Antenna TV, PBS, PBSKids, WORLD, JTV, NewsNet, Azteca, Almavision, FNX, Circle, NHK, KPOP, Rewind, TeleXitos, TBN, PosiTiV, CMC, RightNowTv, BUZZR, Create TV, TCN, DEFY, beIN SPORT, SBN, SMILE, getTV, CMC-USA, OPTV, and lots more.
Compatible Devices
LocalBTV is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast
- Roku
- Android TV
- iPhone/iPad
- Android Phone/Tablet
- Mac
- Windows
- LG Smart TV
- Samsung Smart TV (AirPlay)
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV
LocalBTV is not compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo devices.
Tech Specs
Stereo Sound
Content has stereo audio.