You can get local channels on a Samsung Smart TV without an antenna by using internet-based options like free live TV apps, paid live TV streaming services, and individual network apps that carry your local stations. Most people combine Samsung’s built‑in Samsung TV Plus with one or two apps (like YouTube TV or a free news app) to recreate a local “channel lineup.”

What “local channels” means on a Samsung TV

On a Samsung Smart TV, “local channels” usually means things like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS, and local independent stations that carry news, sports, and regional shows. Traditionally these come over the air using an antenna, but many are now available via apps and streaming services on the TV’s app store.

Main ways without an antenna

Here are the main practical routes to get local channels without plugging anything into the antenna port.

  • Use live TV streaming services (e.g., YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo) that include local affiliates in your area.
  • Use free ad‑supported apps that offer local news or live local streams.
  • Install individual network apps (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS) and sign in with a TV provider or use any free local content they offer.
  • Use Samsung TV Plus for free live channels, then supplement with apps for true local ABC/NBC/CBS/FOX where needed.

Step‑by‑step: internet options that feel like “channels”

1. Live TV streaming services (most cable‑like)

These give you a familiar “channel guide” and usually include your local affiliates, but they require a monthly subscription and good internet.

Typical steps on a Samsung Smart TV:

  1. Press the Home button and open the Apps section.
  2. Search for a service like YouTube TV , Hulu + Live TV , Fubo , or DirecTV Stream.
  1. Install the app, open it, and sign up or log in.
  2. During sign‑up, allow location or enter your ZIP code so the app can assign your local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and sometimes regional sports networks.
  1. Use the service’s live guide the same way you would a cable box.

Pros:

  • Channel guide with locals and many cable channels.
  • Cloud DVR and on‑demand shows.

Cons:

  • Monthly cost.
  • Needs solid, consistent internet, especially in 4K‑heavy 2025/2026 apps.

2. Free local news and local‑style apps

If you just care about news and some local programming, free apps can go a long way.

Common free options (varies by region):

  • Dedicated local news apps (your city’s NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX station often has its own app).
  • Aggregator apps that carry local newscasts or city‑specific channels.
  • Some “FAST” (Free Ad‑Supported TV) apps that have regional or city news feeds.

How to set them up:

  1. Open Apps on the Samsung TV home screen.
  2. Search for your city or station call letters, like “NBC Chicago” or “KABC”.
  3. Install any official station apps or “local news” apps that show for your area.
  4. Inside the app, choose your city or region; many will let you watch live newscasts and some local shows for free, with ads.

3. Network apps (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS)

Most major networks have their own apps for Samsung Smart TV, and some offer live local feeds if you sign in with a pay TV provider or a participating streaming service.

Steps:

  1. Go to Apps and search for the network: “ABC”, “CBS”, “NBC”, “FOX”, “PBS”.
  2. Install the app and open it.
  3. If prompted, sign in with your cable/streaming credentials (e.g., YouTube TV login) to unlock the live local channel where supported.
  1. If you have no subscription, browse what free live or next‑day content is available; some networks offer free local news and select episodes.

This route is great when:

  • You watch mostly one or two networks.
  • You already pay for a streaming bundle that “unlocks” the local feed in the app.

4. Samsung TV Plus and “almost local” channels

Samsung TV Plus is a free internet live TV service built into newer Samsung TVs that offers dozens or hundreds of channels. It does not usually mirror your exact local ABC/NBC/CBS/FOX feed, but has:

  • Local‑style news channels (city or region focused).
  • Genre channels for weather, crime, sports highlights, and national news.

How to use it:

  1. Press Home and choose Samsung TV Plus or directly select a TV Plus channel from the channel list.
  2. Scroll the guide to find news channels named after your region or city.
  3. Add them to favorites so they appear at the top of your live guide.

This can mimic “local TV” for news junkies, especially combined with one or two free station apps.

Mini “forum‑style” perspectives

“Cut cable, kept locals by using YouTube TV on my Samsung. Costs less than my old bundle and still has all the local stations plus DVR.”

“Didn’t want to pay monthly, so I just installed my city’s NBC and CBS news apps and use Samsung TV Plus for everything else. Good enough for weather and local headlines.”

“If your internet is weak, antenna still beats everything, but if you insist on no antenna, at least pick one solid live TV streaming app so you have a real guide.”

SEO‑tailored angle (for your post)

If you are writing content around “how to get local channels on Samsung Smart TV without antenna” , strong angles include:

  • Framing live TV streaming services as the “virtual antenna” for Samsung TVs in 2026.
  • Highlighting Samsung TV Plus as a free baseline, then walking readers through upgrading to one paid live service or a bundle of free local news apps.
  • Mentioning that “antenna‑free” still means internet‑dependent , with speed and data caps as trade‑offs versus traditional over‑the‑air.

A possible meta description (under 160 characters):
“Learn how to get local channels on Samsung Smart TV without an antenna using live TV apps, free local news apps, and Samsung TV Plus for 2026 cord‑cutters.”

TL;DR:
Without an antenna, local channels on a Samsung Smart TV come from apps and streaming: a live TV service (YouTube TV, Hulu Live, etc.), free local news apps, and Samsung TV Plus, all riding on a stable internet connection.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.