Losing local networks is a big reason people keep their cable contracts. However, there are many ways to watch NBC without cable.
If you’ve been waiting to cut the cord out of fear that you won’t be able to watch NBC live, you should know that you can easily get your local networks without cable or satellite TV.
Our guide can help you do just that.
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Best Ways to Get NBC Without Cable
The average cable bill is over $200 a month. Switching to one of the popular streaming platforms could save you $100 or more every month.
Better yet, you can still watch This Is Us, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, your favorite daytime shows, and all of your local sports airing on NBC, including Sunday Night Football.
Here are the top ways to watch NBC without having cable or satellite TV.
1. fuboTV
If you are interested in streaming services that will give you a full channel lineup of more than just your basic cable channels, fuboTV is an excellent option to get the live broadcast of NBC.
Not only will you get over 140 popular TV channels, but you’ll also be able to stream NBC.
At $79.99 a month, plus RSN fees, it’s on the higher end of the streaming spectrum. However, it’s still significantly cheaper than cable.
The channel selection in its base plan, Pro, includes a wide range of news, entertainment, and sports stations.
This option is hugely popular with sports fans. While it doesn’t have Turner networks, it does show 43 of the top-ranked Nielsen channels.
The plan includes a cloud DVR with 1,000 hours of recording capacity. Plus, you can stream on ten screens simultaneously.
It’s a solid cable replacement and an excellent way to watch NBC without a cable provider.
Try fuboTV free for seven days to see what you think of it.
Read our review of fuboTV to learn more.
2. DIRECTV STREAM
You might know this streaming option without realizing it. Once DirecTV Now, it transformed into AT&T TV Now and is currently DIRECTV STREAM.
Like fuboTV, it’s one of the more expensive ways to watch NBC, but it is still cheaper than cable.
Plans start at $79.99 a month. There are four options total, with the priciest topping out at $165 a month.
The one worth looking at for cord cutters is the Entertainment plan. It has 75+ channels, including all your locals.
Like the other options listed here, it offers many popular entertainment, lifestyle, and sports channels. Plus, it has more than 40,000 on-demand titles.
DIRECTV STREAM matches YouTube TV and Hulu Live with an unlimited DVR. Recordings expire after nine months.
If you are already an AT&T phone or internet customer, it may make sense to bundle streaming TV with it so you can watch NBC News and other programming.
Otherwise, it may not be worth the cost.
You can try the service with its five-day free trial to learn if it’s for you. Read our review of DIRECTV STREAM to learn more.
3. Hulu Live
While this live TV service doesn’t have as many channels as fuboTV, it is another excellent way to watch NBC without a TV provider.
Hulu Live shines thanks to its original programming and massive on-demand content library.
In addition to the NBC live stream, you’ll receive about 85 channels of live TV. Popular networks like HGTV, A&E, CNN, and all the ESPN stations are included.
Plus, you’ll get all your local stations.
It costs $76.99 a month and lets you stream on two screens at once. It also recently added an unlimited cloud DVR to all plans.
If you like Disney, you can watch Disney+ and ESPN+ with a Hulu Live subscription for no extra monthly charge.
Try the service to see what you think.
Read our comprehensive Hulu with Live TV review to learn more.
4. Sling TV
Sling is another way to get your NBC live stream without cable. The only catch is that you must live in one of the cities where it carries the station.
It offers NBC programming as part of the Sling Blue package in 11 cities.
| City | Station |
|---|---|
| New York | WNBC |
| Philadelphia | WCAU |
| Chicago | WMAQ |
| Boston | WBTS |
| Washington, DC | WRC-TV |
| Miami/Ft. Lauderdale | WTVJ |
| Hartford/New Haven | WVIT |
| Dallas/Ft. Worth | KXAS |
| Los Angeles | KNBC |
| San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose | KNTV |
| San Diego | KNSD |
It also carries the local FOX station in 18 markets. While the streaming provider doesn’t offer all your locals, it is the most affordable live TV streaming service with sports stations.
It is the best way to watch ESPN without cable, which is included in its Orange package. Fox Sports and NFL Network are provided in the Blue package, along with NBC.
Each package costs $40 a month. Alternatively, you can get Orange plus Blue for $55 a month.
Blue, which is what carries NBC in select cities, has about 43 total channels. Orange has around 32. Together, they offer 50 channels.
This flexibility makes Sling the most customizable service on the market.
You can simultaneously stream on three screens with Blue and add on several channel packages.
Even if your local NBC affiliate isn’t on Sling’s list, pairing a subscription with an antenna is a great way to save on TV without sacrificing content.
Read our Sling TV review to learn more.
5. YouTube TV
One of the most popular streaming platforms, YouTube TV, is a great way to get the NBC live stream.
Its monthly cost is at the higher end, $72.99, but its package is simple.
Unlike other options that have endless upgrades and add-ons, this streaming service keeps things simple.
There’s one plan that includes over 100 popular channels. There are dozens of lifestyle and entertainment networks.
It’s also a great choice for sports as it includes ESPN, FS1, FS2, and all the professional sports league stations.
It even includes an unlimited cloud DVR and stores recordings for nine months.
If you’re looking for an easy way to watch NBC online, this option won’t disappoint.
Try YouTube TV free for seven days to see if you like it.
Read our YouTube TV review to learn more.
6. Peacock
It seems everyone is creating a streaming service, and NBC is no different. Peacock TV is the network’s on-demand streaming service and a legit way to get NBC live programming.
It offers two plans, both of which are paid options.
Depending on which you choose, you can watch popular TV series and movies along with live streaming news, sports channels, and exclusive originals.
*Related: Are you a fan of the Olympics, but don’t want to spend a lot? Read our guide on how to watch the Winter Olympics without cable to see if Peacock is a good solution.
If you want access to your local NBC live stream, you will need to choose the Premium Plus plan. Otherwise, Peacock is not a replacement for NBC. Still, it does offer a lot of good content.
| Feature | Peacock Premium | Peacock Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price/Mo. | $7.99 | $13.99 |
| Price/Yr. | $79.99 | $139.99 |
| Ads | Yes | No |
| Mobile Downloads | No | Yes |
| Original Content | Yes | Yes |
| Live Sports | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trial | No | No |
This plan is also a good option to watch Yellowstone without a cable subscription.
The Premium Plus plan gives you everything in Premium without ads. It also provides the ability to download shows and watch offline.
If you want the full NBC lineup along with Premier Soccer League games and originals, test out the Premium plan.
Read our Peacock review for more about the service.
7. Buy an Antenna
An antenna is the most affordable way to watch your local NBC channel for free.
After a small, upfront cost of about $50, you will be able to watch all your local networks on your TV without a subscription.
The number of local channels you will pick up through your antenna will vary depending on where you live and what type of antenna you buy.
Where we live, we are able to get about 45 channels. We know people in other cities who get 50 or more.
While there are both indoor and outdoor antennas, an indoor one will work fine for getting your local NBC station if you live within 60 miles of a broadcast tower.
We have a Mohu Leaf and love it. You can use the code FRUGALRULES10 to receive ten percent off your purchase.
Using an over-the-air antenna isn’t the hassle you might think. They can be set up in under ten minutes and are easy to use. Plus, you the freedom of not being tied to a live TV streaming service for your locals.
Read our guide on how to get local channels without cable or satellite to learn more.
8. Use the NBC App
You can get the NBC app on Roku or Fire TV and use it to watch live and on-demand content from NBC.
Current episodes of NBC shows air there after they air live. How long you have to wait varies. Most programs become available after eight days.
How Can I Watch NBC Without a TV Provider?
Many people think you must have a TV provider to watch NBC. That’s true, but it doesn’t have to be cable or satellite.
All of the streaming services mentioned here will also let you watch NBC.
How Can I Stream NBC for Free?
The only real way to watch NBC for free is through an antenna. You can purchase one for a one-time cost of $30 – $50.
This will give you all your locals free for life.
Bottom Line
You don’t have to deal with a pricey cable contract to watch NBC live. An antenna and a variety of streaming services are great options.
If you want access to more than just your local channels, try a true cable replacement like fuboTV and see what you think.
You’ll still save $100 or more per month compared to cable.
What’s one network you can’t live without?
I’m Nicole Schmoll – a master’s-educated professional writer, mompreneur, and co-founder of Frugal Rules.
As a freelance copywriter in Omaha, I still believe that writing is an artistic expression. Every time I strike the keys, I intend to evoke a response from my listeners. I left my full-time career as a senior copywriter for an insurance agency to start my own freelance writing business.
I love watching and writing about TV (and how to stream it!)
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