How to watch local channels in Philadelphia without cable
| Market | Philadelphia, PA — around the No. 4 TV market (DMA) |
|---|---|
| Major stations | ABC — WPVI (ch. 6) CBS — KYW (ch. 3) NBC — WCAU (ch. 10) FOX — WTXF (ch. 29) |
| Streaming options | 4 services carry Philadelphia locals (see table) |
| Free option | Over-the-air antenna — see aiming tip below |
| Local teams | 2 major pro teams (see below) |
Streaming services with Philadelphia local channels
These services carry local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC feeds. In the Philadelphia market that means stations like WPVI, KYW, WCAU, WTXF. 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 Philadelphia’s local broadcast channels free, in HD, with no monthly fee. The main towers sit in the Roxborough antenna farm in the city’s northwest — point antennas that way. Full rundown: how to watch local channels without cable.
Watching Philadelphia sports teams
Philadelphia fans have 2 major pro teams. NFL games ride on the local stations above; NBA, MLB and NHL games usually need a regional sports network:
- Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
- Philadelphia 76ers (NBA — NBC Sports Philadelphia)
How to get Philadelphia local channels
- Confirm your Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia news, network shows and games.
Frequently asked questions
Which streaming service has Philadelphia local channels?
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV and DirecTV Stream carry Philadelphia locals such as WPVI (ABC), KYW (CBS), WCAU (NBC), WTXF (FOX) in most of the market, but availability depends on your exact ZIP code.
Can I get Philadelphia channels free with an antenna?
Yes. An over-the-air antenna picks up Philadelphia’s broadcast stations in HD with no monthly fee. The main towers sit in the Roxborough antenna farm in the city’s northwest — point antennas that way.
How do I watch Philadelphia sports teams without cable?
NFL games air on Philadelphia broadcast stations. Other teams use regional networks — for example, Philadelphia 76ers games air on NBC Sports Philadelphia. DirecTV Stream and FuboTV carry the most RSNs; confirm by ZIP code.