Local TV channels may not offer programs as exciting as paid channels. But if you’re not into popular content, local TV channels have fairly adequate movies, shows, news, and entertainment programs. Furthermore, you don’t have to pay to access those local channels.
The best way to get local TV channels on your Samsung TV is to scan them using an external antenna attached to your TV. But we understand the trouble in getting an antenna fixed. Not only did it incur additional costs, but it also meant that you had to spend time hooking it up. While it’s not a big deal for many people, some of us are reluctant to get busy with the antenna settings.
Luckily, there are ways to do it without an antenna. This post will guide you on how to get local channels on Samsung smart TV without an antenna. Read on to learn how it’s done.
TOP OPTIONS
You can get local channels on your Samsung smart TV without an antenna, but you will need an internet connection.
OPTION 1 – Go to the Samsung TV App Store and install the app for the channel you want to watch. Most local channels have free apps that you can use to watch the content created by those channels.
OPTION 2 – Download and install one of the available live TV streaming apps. Several live TV streaming services are available on a Samsung TV app store. Our top recommendations are Hulu+ Live TV, YouTube TV, FUBO, and DIRECTV.
OPTION 3 – Try using Samsung’s preinstalled Samsung TV Plus app.
Local TV Channel Apps
A few popular local TV channels, such as NBC, ABC, CBS, The CW, PBS, and Fox, have free apps you can download to watch their programs. But please don’t expect the app to have everything under the sky – they’re free but pretty limited in their programs and shows. So, set up your Samsung TV and hook up the internet to start watching those local channels for free.
How to Download and Install Apps on a Samsung Smart TV
NBC
Download the app on your Samsung smart TV, or you can go to its official website NBC.com. However, you can only watch the current episode after an eight-day wait. But, hey! It’s free, and you only have time to watch TV on weekends anyway.
ABC
Like the NBC app, the ABC app allows viewing the current episode after eight days. However, you have the option to view the current episodes if you have a TV provider account where you can link to this app. You can also visit the channel’s website, ABC.com.
CBS
The CBS app is another option for watching local TV channels without using an antenna, or you can visit its website – CBS.com. You can access a limited number of programs on the standard account. If you want full access, sign up with CBS’s premium platform – Paramount +, where you have to pay subscription fees.
The CW
The C stands for CBS, and W stands for Warner Bros – two of several parent companies that started this broadcasting network in 2006. When you download the CW app, you can watch some of the latest episodes available. You can also watch shows on the CW website.
PBS
You can watch free local TV programs on PBS via the PBS app without an antenna or cable. Watch full-length episodes available on most TV stations in the US. You can also reach out to PBS shows on the PBS website.
FOX
Download the Fox Now app to watch Fox programs and shows online without hooking up an antenna. However, you will not get the current episodes unless you first air the channel for eight successive days. Even after that period, you might not be able to see the current episodes of some of the popular shows. You can go to the Fox website to watch a variety of programs, including local news, entertainment, and sports.
How to Download and Install the Fox Now App on a Samsung Smart TV
Watching Local Channels Via Streaming Services
As listed above, watching local TV channels directly from their apps or websites may have cost you nothing, but the shows are limited. In addition, you have to wait for days to watch current episodes. Did you know that you can get full access to local TV channels via multiple streaming services? Here are four cloud-based DVR streaming TV services:
What Are the Best Live TV Streaming Services?
DIRECTV Stream
You can subscribe to DIRECTV STREAM and watch local TV channels without using an antenna, cable box, or satellite dish. Apart from streaming local channels, DIRECTV STREAM allows you to stream popular cable channels.
To subscribe, go to its website.
Upon committing to a monthly subscription, you will have the following benefits:
- Stream via up to 20 devices simultaneously.
- A cloud-based Digital Video Recorder (DVR).
- Access multiple local channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.
- Access to various cable channels such as HGTV, ESPN, CNN, Discovery, and many more.
- Compatibility with Roku, Amazon FireTV, Apple TV, and many more.
DIRECTV Stream Review
HULU+ Live TV
You can subscribe to Hulu+ Live TV and get the same local TV channels that TV stations broadcast Over The Air. However, unlike free watching via the antenna, you would need to pay monthly subscription fees to Hulu.
The good thing is that you don’t have to sign a contract, and you can cancel at any time without a penalty. In addition, you have access to a vast streaming library (on-demand). Check what local channels are available in your area here.
Things to Know Before Subscribing to Hulu+ Live TV
YouTube TV
Most of us watch YouTube videos every day. But did you know that YouTube also has a live TV streaming service? Enter YouTube TV.
It provides more than 85 channels, including several top local channels. Like its rivals, you don’t have to sign any contract, so you can cancel anytime. In addition, YouTube TV offers a one-week free trial before subscribing to its premium services.
YouTube TV Review
FUBO TV
In addition to local TV channels, Fubo TV also provides access to several sports channels such as BTN, beIN SPORTS, FS1, and FS2.
You can use Fubo TV on major streaming platforms such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Check out local channels in your area on the Fubo TV website.
FUBO TV Review
Samsung TV Plus Free Channels
If you have a Samsung smart TV model manufactured in 2016 or later, you would have access to the Samsung TV Plus app preloaded on your TV. That means you don’t have to hook up any antenna or other devices to watch the channels. You just need an internet connection to watch over 200 absolutely free channels offered on your Samsung TV.
To access the channels, press the TV input on your remote. Move the cursor up to Samsung TV Plus and hit Enter. You will see choices of free TV channels and can start watching immediately.
Samsung TV Plus – How to Use It
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can I watch my Samsung TV without hooking up the antenna?
Answer: Yes, without an antenna, you can stream a lot of programs via several methods. Firstly, for newer Samsung smart TVs, you can stream free on Samsung pre-installed channels via Samsung TV Plus. Another method is streaming directly from the channels’ apps or websites. You can also stream via several TV streaming services like Hulu and YouTube TV, but if you want more channels and programs, go for cable or satellite, or hook up TV streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV.
Question: What’s the best way to get free channels on my Samsung smart TV?
Answer: Follow these steps to scan free channels:
- Hook up an external antenna (any brand will probably work with your Samsung TV).
- On the remote, press the Home button.
- Move to the left and hit the Settings option.
- Select Broadcast > Auto Program.
- Select Air (since you’re going to utilize the antenna).
- Let your antenna scan and store free channels you can watch anytime.
Question: How to watch a smart TV with Wi-Fi only?
Answer: Wi-Fi is everything you need if you already have a smart TV and want to watch programs and shows. A smart TV has Wi-Fi capability, and just like mobile devices, it can connect to the internet and do things like downloading apps. So, you can watch the smart TV via the TV channels’ app or live tv streaming apps and enjoy your favorite shows without a cable plan or an OTA antenna.
Question: Should I get a cable box when I already have a smart TV?
Answer: You can watch TV programs on your smart TV via live TV streaming apps. So, having a cable plan and a cable box is not a necessity.
Conclusion
When you don’t have internet, or the internet coverage in your area is not great, watching local TV channels might be your best bet. While we recommend getting an antenna to scan those channels, you can also do without it. In this guide, we have suggested several methods to get local channels on Samsung smart TV without an antenna.
You can watch them directly via the local channels’ apps or websites for free. But if you want to see up-to-date programs and have more channels, we have recommended four popular TV streaming services – DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, and FUBO TV. Otherwise, Samsung TV Plus already offers more than 200 free channels, ready to watch on your Samsung smart TV.
