Chromecast was discontinued in 2024 and replaced by the Google TV Streamer, which has more computing power and memory. Both the new and older versions use the Google TV interface, which allows you to add every popular streaming app to your smart TV homepage. You can even get live TV and local channels. So, if you want to catch live news, hometown sports, or local weather on your Chromecast or TV Streamer device, you’ve got options. Here’s how to watch local channels on your Chromecast or TV Streamer device without a cable subscription.
How to Watch Local Channels on Chromecast
Local channels are your go-to source for local news, regional sports, weather alerts, school closures, and community programming like town hall meetings. Local TV helps keep you in the loop with what’s happening in your area, and it’s one of the reasons many people hesitate to cut cable.
There are several ways to stream live TV without a cable subscription and still get all of your important local channels. If you want to watch local TV via your Chromecast or TV Streamer device, you have two main options.
Skinny Bundle Streaming Services
The easiest way to watch local channels on Chromecast without any extra equipment is through skinny bundle streaming services. These services are perfect for cord-cutters who want a simple setup. Just use the search box to find the streaming service, install the app on your device, sign up or log in, and start watching.
Skinny bundles offer live TV along with on-demand content and are more affordable and flexible than cable. Major skinny bundles like Hulu + Live TV include live feeds from local ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX affiliate stations. Some streaming services like YouTube TV and DIRECTV offer a wider range of local channels than other platforms.
Chromecast doesn’t have a built-in search for live TV channels, but you can find out which apps carry the channel you want by searching the local channel name plus “streaming services” on the internet.
Here’s a list of services that offer local channels on Chromecast and Google TV Streamer:
Over-the-Air TV
You can watch free over-the-air TV on your Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer by connecting an HD TV antenna to your television. This allows you to access over-the-air channels including news, sports, and entertainment from local stations. Once the antenna is plugged into your TV’s antenna (RF) input, you can scan for available channels by going to Google TV’s Settings > TV Inputs > Live TV > Scan for Channels. The number of channels you receive will depend on your location, antenna placement and signal strength.
After scanning, live channels will appear in the Live tab on your Google TV home screen alongside streaming content. For the best reception, try repositioning your antenna or using an amplifier. If your TV lacks a built-in ATSC digital tuner, you may need an external one.
Can I Watch on My Older Chromecast Device With Discovery UI?
Unfortunately, older Chromecast devices with the Discovery UI like the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Gen, and Chromecast Ultra do not support direct access to live over-the-air TV channels. However, you can still watch live TV on these devices by streaming from compatible skinny bundle streaming service apps.
Watch Local Channels on Every Type of Device
Below are other pages on how to watch local channels across various streaming devices:
Great article. Thank you for the feedback on all The local channels I did not see sling TV. Does it not get local channels?
Thanks for reading! Sling TV used to carry local networks in a lot of markets, but it has really rolled back support for those. Right now, Sling TV pushes a combination of its service and an over-the-air antenna to customers hoping to get local channels. It’s possible that Sling TV will cut some new deals and start streaming local networks again, but, for now, it’s off our list.
My question disappeared.
Local channels meaning other than CBS, NBC but includes Travel, ID
And such as Direct minus the pay channels of course.
Like crime shows – “CRIMINAL MINDS” (ID ch), or “THE DEAD FILES” (travel ch)
Are those channels considered LOCAL?
QUESTION #2
Is HULU a good choice for those I’m asking about.
If no one knows, I suppose I’ll just go for it and hope for the best.
Anyone out there?
Lori K.
Thanks again for all the help.
I keep forgetting to save my password. Sorry for another post.
Do I need an antenna for you tube live tv
Nope, you’ll just need an internet connection and a YouTube TV subscription (or free trial).
When I read Chromecast offers local channels, does local cover other channels as in – Travel ch, ID, etc.?
This post focuses on local channels, but you can watch those other channels on Chromecast, too!
Just keep in mind that Chromecast is only the device, not the service. A Chromecast can take a video you’re playing on your phone or computer and put it up on your TV screen for you, but the video itself has to be coming from some service. It’s a little bit like how your DVD player lets you watch DVDs, but doesn’t come with DVDs — you still need to go get some, or else there’s nothing to watch! So the Chromecast can make it easy to watch Netflix or another streaming service, but it doesn’t *include* any streaming services.
Here are some services we recommend for live TV channels like Travel Channel and Investigation Discovery: https://cordcutting.com/services/best/#Best_for_Live_TV
Hope this helps. Thanks for reading!
When I read Chromecast offers local channels, does local cover other channels as in – Travel ch, ID, etc.?
My answer is saying “looks like I’ve already said that”. I have asked SIRI which brought me to this page. Maybe a stupid stick hit me but I still don’t know weather to click on HULU or the others offered. I’m trying to get ID and Travel off the phone and watch it on the big screen.
Holding the phone in hand for a show is not for me.
Anyone know my lengthy question?
Otherwise I’ll click on HULU and hope for the best- I guess
Lori
Hi Lori, I think I responded to you on another comment. Hulu is a good way to get local channels *and* lots of other networks, so that should be a good fit for you. Just remember that it’s Hulu that’s offering the channels, and Chromecast is just how you’re accessing the service. The services we listed here are our favorite ones that A) include local networks and B) work well on Chromecast. Thanks for reading!
I have Xfinity for my wifi and the package includes streaming of local channels. But the Android TV box I bought says I must turn off mirroring to get Xfinity TV stations. I don’t know what that means and there’s no setting for mirroring. If I switch to Chrome astray, will it solve the issue?
This is the first time I have seen this address and was directed to it from goggle. This seems to be an excellent service you provide.
ChiefEngineer52
Can you install the Locast App on a Chromecast device?
Sling does NOT support local broadcast television. ie. Local news. You can see world or national news. but there is no support for local TV STATIONS.
Basic cable is not local television.
I just added Sling’s “AirTV 2” device to my network. (It’s my second attempt, the first device had to be returned — it wouldn’t initialize.)
The idea was to DVR over-the-air channels, and cast them from my phone’s Sling app to the Chromecast device on my TV.
Surprise! “Casting over the air content is currently unavailable. Please use your Sling TV account to enjoy this program on your smartphone, tablet, or other streaming device. — OK”
Not OK!!