How to watch local channels in Boston without cable
| Market | Boston, MA — around the No. 9 TV market (DMA) |
|---|---|
| Major stations | ABC — WCVB (ch. 5) CBS — WBZ (ch. 4) NBC — WBTS (ch. 10) FOX — WFXT (ch. 25) |
| Streaming options | 4 services carry Boston locals (see table) |
| Free option | Over-the-air antenna — see aiming tip below |
| Local teams | 4 major pro teams (see below) |
Streaming services with Boston local channels
These services carry local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC feeds. In the Boston market that means stations like WCVB, WBZ, WBTS, WFXT. Confirm your locals before subscribing.
| Service | Our score | From /mo | Free trial | Streams | Cloud DVR | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | 9.3 | $83 | Varies | 3 | Unlimited | you want a broad, mainstream lineup with unlimited DVR and reliable local channels in most areas |
| Hulu + Live TV | 9.0 | $83 | Varies | 2 (unlimited add-on) | Unlimited | you want live TV bundled with a huge on-demand library plus Disney+ and ESPN+ |
| FuboTV | 9.0 | $80 | 7 days | Up to 10 at home | Unlimited (varies by plan) | you want a sports-heavy lineup with a high channel count and lots of simultaneous streams |
| DirecTV Stream | 8.7 | $87 | 5 days | Unlimited at home | Unlimited | you want a cable-like experience with regional sports networks and unlimited in-home streams |
Prices are starting monthly prices seen at last review and exclude taxes/fees. Always confirm the current price and channel lineup on the provider’s site.
The free option: an antenna
A one-time over-the-air antenna gets Boston’s local broadcast channels free, in HD, with no monthly fee. The major towers are in Needham, southwest of the city — a common aiming point for antennas. Full rundown: how to watch local channels without cable.
Watching Boston sports teams
Boston fans have 4 major pro teams. NFL games ride on the local stations above; NBA, MLB and NHL games usually need a regional sports network:
- New England Patriots (NFL)
- Boston Celtics (NBA — NBC Sports Boston)
- Boston Red Sox (MLB — NESN)
- Boston Bruins (NHL — NESN)
How to get Boston local channels
- Confirm your Boston locals with the channel finder, or check antenna signal for your address.
- Choose a service above, or set up a one-time antenna for the broadcast channels.
- Install the app on your TV or device, or run a channel scan on the antenna.
- Open the guide and watch Boston news, network shows and games.
Frequently asked questions
Which streaming service has Boston local channels?
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV and DirecTV Stream carry Boston locals such as WCVB (ABC), WBZ (CBS), WBTS (NBC), WFXT (FOX) in most of the market, but availability depends on your exact ZIP code.
Can I get Boston channels free with an antenna?
Yes. An over-the-air antenna picks up Boston’s broadcast stations in HD with no monthly fee. The major towers are in Needham, southwest of the city — a common aiming point for antennas.
How do I watch Boston sports teams without cable?
NFL games air on Boston broadcast stations. Other teams use regional networks — for example, Boston Celtics games air on NBC Sports Boston. DirecTV Stream and FuboTV carry the most RSNs; confirm by ZIP code.