Carriage disputes are a fairly common occurrence in the television industry. As companies who own TV stations try to maximize their value in an increasingly digital world, pay-TV distributors with fewer and fewer customers are trying to lower the amount they have to pay to keep those stations on TV. When the two sides clash over how much distributors should be doling out for the privilege of carrying a channel, the disagreement can lead to channels being dark for weeks.

It’s much less frequent that a station owner simply decides to shut down a group of channels they own, but that’s exactly what Sinclair Broadcasting Group (SBG) has decided to do. According to TVNewsCheck, Sinclair is shuttering news operations for five local channels it owns in as many markets; WGFL in Gainesville, Fla.; KPTH in Sioux City, Iowa; KPTM in Omaha, Neb.; WNWO Toledo, Ohio; and KTVL in Medford, Ore.

These channels will continue to exist, but they will no longer offer live, local news. Instead, the channels will bring users content from Sinclair’s The National Desk channel, which “provides real-time national and regional news from Sinclair’s television stations across the U.S.,” according to Sinclair.

As its name suggests, The National Desk provides mostly national programming, although there will be “opportunities” for local news cut-ins during the telecast. Employees at the affected stations were saddened by Sinclair’s actions, as well as by the fact that many lower-income viewers who utilize free, over-the-air broadcast channels as their primary source for local news will now be left in the dark.

“It’s a huge blow to a very vulnerable group of people,” said one dismissed Sinclair employee. They noted that channels like theirs reached “some of the most impoverished citizens in the country,” and that “free local news is paramount for many of our elderly and poor to stay aware, safe and educated. Information is power, and we just turned the lights off for many.”

If you live in one of these markets, you may be worried that your access to local news is about to be curtailed. You’ll still have options for watching other local affiliates, however, and if you’re a cord cutter there’s a good chance at least one live TV streaming service will carry the channels you’ll need to see live news. Much like when Sinclair-owned ABC affiliates left Hulu + Live TV in March, there are still options to see local content.

Best Alternatives in Gainesville, Florida

Best Alternatives in Sioux City, Iowa

Best Alternatives in Omaha, Nebraska

Best Alternatives in Toledo, Ohio

Best Alternatives in Medford, Oregon

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that KMEG was still a CBS affiliate in Sioux City, Iowa. Effective May 12, KCAU and KTIV will be the only local TV news options in Sioux City

Free 3-Day Trial

hulu.com

Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $89.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN Select at no extra charge.

…

Where it really separates itself is value. Your subscription doesn’t just cover live TV — it also includes full access to Hulu’s on-demand library, plus bundled subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN Select content at no extra cost. That means you’re getting everything from next-day network TV episodes and Hulu Originals, to Marvel, Star Wars, and live sports content all in one place without juggling multiple bills.

For sports fans, Hulu + Live TV also includes regional sports networks (RSNs) in select areas, a feature many competing services have dropped. That can be a big deal if you’re trying to follow local MLB, NBA, or NHL teams.

The DVR experience is another strong point. Subscribers get unlimited cloud DVR storage and the ability to fast-forward through commercials on recorded content — a feature that used to cost extra but is now standard. It’s designed to feel closer to a traditional cable DVR, just without the box.

If you want to customize further, several add-ons are available. You can upgrade to premium channels like HBO, Showtime, or Starz, add an unlimited streams option for households with lots of viewers, or go ad-free on Hulu’s on-demand content (live TV will still include ads).

Overall, Hulu + Live TV is less about being the cheapest option and more about being the most comprehensive. It’s built for people who want live TV, on-demand shows, and bundled streaming services all under one roof — without having to piece everything together themselves.

Free 3-Day Trial

$89.99+ / month

hulu.com