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How to Sling TV Users Can Watch Local Channels Without Locast

Locast has suspended operations in the face of a lawsuit from major broadcasters.

This is a particular blow to Sling TV users, who used the service to access their local ABC and CBS affiliates from the grid guide. If you used the service, you can still stream local NBC and FOX affiliates in other markets.

You can supplement it with a Premium subscription ($9.99 per month) to Paramount+ gives you access to a CBS affiliate channel, while an Essential subscription ($4.99 per month) includes live sports.

If you do need local channels, there are other options, but it will likely be $30+ more expensive than Sling.

1. Subscribe to a Different Live TV Streaming Service

There are several streaming services that will give you access to live TV. You can use our live TV streaming matchmaker to find the right streaming service for you, depending on what you would like to watch. Most of these services offer free trials so you can test them out and decide which one you like the best.

DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV all offer access to live, local channels from ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo Sling TV YouTube
Free Trial Free Trial Free 3-Day Trial Free Trial Get $25 OFF Sign Up
$79.99 $94.99 $76.99 $25 $40 $40 $72.99
ABC - -
CBS - - -
Fox - -
NBC - -

2. Use an Antenna

One solution is to buy an inexpensive antenna, which, in most cases, will give you live access to CBS, ABC, FOX, NBC, and PBS.

Mohu Leaf 30

Up to 30 Mile Range

Mohu Leaf 50

Up to 60 Mile Range

3. Stream Via a Local Channel’s Website

Some local channels will give you free access to their live news broadcast online. Simply head to the channel’s website and look for a “watch live” button. Not all channels allow this, however. You may be required to use a cable TV login to access live streams online.

4. Try LocalBTV

Although this free service is only available in 13 markets, it does allow you to watch 30-40 channels that are otherwise available through an antenna. Unless you love home shopping, old reruns, or Joel Osteen, there isn’t much here. LocalBTV claims “other stations such as the major networks (ABC, NBC, etc) will be available in the future.” The Locast battle may throw cold water on that idea.

One nice thing is that LocalBTV includes a 1 TB cloud DVR, so you can record whatever you like. LocalBTV is available on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV.

LocalBTV is available in:

  • Phoenix
  • Bay Area
  • Southern California
  • Philadelphia
  • San Diego
  • New York
  • Indianapolis
  • Atlanta
  • Las Vegas
  • Chicago
  • Fresno
  • Monterey
  • Louisville

5. Stream Local News For Free

NewsOn will allow you to access some local news stations for free. You can use NewsOn in a web browser or download the app on select streaming devices. You can also get some local news through Haystack News, Local Now, or VUit.

Many ad-supported heavyweights like Pluto TV and Tubi also offer some local news replays if you’re in a large market. It’s not the same thing as Locast, but those options provide at least some local coverage.

It’s also possible Locast could prevail in court or try to find some sort of settlement. The appetite for this kind of service is definitely there, it’s just a question of who will provide it and how much it will cost.

  • VUit

    VUit is a free video streaming service that includes on-demand access to content produced by 260+ local TV news stations around the United States. Its partners include Lilly Broadcasting, Heritage Broadcasting, and Gray Television. The service covers 78% of the nation’s DMAs.

    Whether you’re feeling homesick or whether you just want to see what’s going on in another part of the country, VUit can give you a window into several American communities.

  • Local Now

    Local Now is a free video streaming service that includes on-demand access to movies and TV shows. The service also provides several virtual streaming channels, including newscasts from New York, Denver, Detroit, Cleveland, Kansas City, Nashville, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, and West Palm Beach. Over 220 cities in the United States have a localized feed. Local Now offers live severe weather coverage from The Weather Channel to people viewing in areas impacted by the severe weather event

    Local Now partners include Newsy, Court TV, Lionsgate, Cinedigm, and People TV.

  • Stirr

    Stirr is a free video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 5,000+ hours of TV and movies, along with more than 100+ virtual live streaming channels.

    In markets where viewers have a Sinclair-owned TV station, users will be able to view local news content.


Ben Bowman is 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.

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