Updated April 14, 2021
Over the last decade, TV viewers have gravitated more towards online, national, and 24/7 cable news over local news broadcasts.
But now more than ever it’s critical to get accurate, up-to-date information about what’s happening in your own backyard. Local TV reporters, camera operators, and broadcast technicians across the country are stepping up to bring those crucial news updates and stories to you.
And thankfully it’s easy to access the local TV news you need, even without a cable or satellite subscription.
Keep reading to learn how…
Local News Via Over-the-Air TV Antenna
The best, and most cost-effective way to tune into local newscasts is with an Over-the-Air TV antenna, which may be one of the reasons this method of cord cutting is growing quickly.
Accessing local broadcast TV with an antenna has several advantages over other options including:
Those living in urban areas, 30 miles (50 KMs) or less from local OTA TV broadcast towers can often use a simple indoor antenna which is easy to place and install. Those living further from urban centers will need to select a larger outdoor or attic-mount TV antenna.
Find your local Broadcast TV towers with our signal locator tool.
Quality TV antennas can be purchased online from most big box and hardware stores, and TV antenna manufacturers are still shipping products directly, so you won’t even have to leave home to buy one!
Are you an essential worker and not able to be on your couch to watch the news on TV? Add an Over-the-Air DVR like Tablo to your antenna setup and you can catch up with your local news anytime, anywhere, on any device.
Stream Your Local TV News Via Locast
Sometimes your location – the wrong side the building, a basement apartment, a deep valley – makes it difficult to receive a strong Over-the-Air TV signal.
Thankfully the non-profit streaming service Locast is an option for accessing local broadcast TV channels in 17 urban areas 31 markets across the United States.
Simply download the Locast app on your favorite mobile or streaming TV device and watch your local news.
A $5/month donation to keep the infrastructure running will give you interruption-free streams, but Locast will waive that fee for 30 days for those who ask during the pandemic.
NOTE - Locast is NOT compatible with Tablo OTA DVRs.
Other Free (and Not So Free) Local TV News Streaming Alternatives
Can’t access free broadcasts with an Over-the-Air TV antenna and don’t live in an area served by Locast? You still have options for accessing streams or clips from your local news including:
As you can see, there are many ways to catch your local TV news as a cord cutter and stay informed about what’s happening in your community. Better yet, most of them are easy on the wallet!
Stay safe and stay healthy and if you have questions about Over-the-Air TV antennas or anything cord cutting-related, hit us up on Facebook or Twitter.
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