How to watch local channels in San Francisco without cable
| Market | San Francisco, CA — around the No. 10 TV market (DMA) |
|---|---|
| Major stations | ABC — KGO (ch. 7) CBS — KPIX (ch. 5) NBC — KNTV (ch. 11) FOX — KTVU (ch. 2) |
| Streaming options | 4 services carry San Francisco locals (see table) |
| Free option | Over-the-air antenna — see aiming tip below |
| Local teams | 3 major pro teams (see below) |
Streaming services with San Francisco local channels
These services carry local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC feeds. In the San Francisco market that means stations like KGO, KPIX, KNTV, KTVU. 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 San Francisco’s local broadcast channels free, in HD, with no monthly fee. Sutro Tower dominates Bay Area broadcasting; hills can block signals, so placement matters more than distance. Full rundown: how to watch local channels without cable.
Watching San Francisco sports teams
San Francisco fans have 3 major pro teams. NFL games ride on the local stations above; NBA, MLB and NHL games usually need a regional sports network:
- San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
- Golden State Warriors (NBA — NBC Sports Bay Area)
- San Francisco Giants (MLB — NBC Sports Bay Area)
How to get San Francisco local channels
- Confirm your San Francisco 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 San Francisco news, network shows and games.
Frequently asked questions
Which streaming service has San Francisco local channels?
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV and DirecTV Stream carry San Francisco locals such as KGO (ABC), KPIX (CBS), KNTV (NBC), KTVU (FOX) in most of the market, but availability depends on your exact ZIP code.
Can I get San Francisco channels free with an antenna?
Yes. An over-the-air antenna picks up San Francisco’s broadcast stations in HD with no monthly fee. Sutro Tower dominates Bay Area broadcasting; hills can block signals, so placement matters more than distance.
How do I watch San Francisco sports teams without cable?
NFL games air on San Francisco broadcast stations. Other teams use regional networks — for example, Golden State Warriors games air on NBC Sports Bay Area. DirecTV Stream and FuboTV carry the most RSNs; confirm by ZIP code.