You can get local channels on a smart TV without using a traditional antenna by streaming those channels over the internet through apps and services that carry local affiliates and news streams. The best option for you depends on whether you want totally free solutions or a full “cable‑like” live TV package.

How to Get Local Channels Without Antenna on Smart TV

1. Use Live TV Streaming Services (Cable Replacement)

These services give you local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and more in many markets, similar to cable but streamed over the internet.

  • Common options include Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream and Sling TV (limited locals in some areas).
  • Typical cost ranges roughly from about mid‑$20s to around $70+ per month depending on package and promos.
  • These install as apps on most smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Roku TV, Fire TV, Google TV, etc.), and after sign‑up you just open the app and go to the Live TV guide.

Pros

  • Full channel lineup with locals, sports, cable channels and DVR on higher tiers.
  • One simple app for most of your live TV needs.

Cons

  • Monthly subscription, often close to the price of a slimmed‑down cable package.

2. Use Network‑Specific Apps and Subscriptions

If you mainly care about a few major networks, you can subscribe to their apps instead of a big bundle.

  • CBS/Paramount+: Many areas can stream the local CBS station through a Paramount+ with Live TV plan.
  • NBC/Peacock: Higher‑tier Peacock plans in supported markets can include the local NBC station.
  • FOX and others: Some networks and groups have their own apps or regional deals that stream local feeds or next‑day content.

How it works

  • Install the network app on your smart TV from its app store.
  • Create an account, choose the plan that includes “live” or “local” channels, then use the Live tab or guide inside the app.

Pros

  • Cheaper than big live TV bundles if you only need one or two locals.
  • Simple interface focused on that one network’s shows.

Cons

  • Channels are fragmented across multiple apps if you want ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX together.

3. Free Local News & Channel Apps

There are free, ad‑supported apps that stream local news and sometimes full local channels or regional feeds.

  • Examples include Pluto TV, Xumo, Local Now, Haystack News and similar news‑aggregator apps.
  • Some major station groups and local broadcasters also have their own free apps that stream their newscasts or even full live channels.

What you typically get

  • Live and on‑demand local news, weather and some special events from your region.
  • Genre‑based channels (movies, crime shows, classic TV) plus some local or regional content, all supported by ads.

Pros

  • Completely free to install and use, besides your internet bill.
  • Great for cutting cable while still keeping an eye on local news and weather.

Cons

  • Often news‑only, not every local station, and not always full broadcast schedules like over‑the‑air TV.

4. Check Your Smart TV’s Own Local/Channel Apps

Some smart TV brands highlight local or regional content directly in their app stores or built‑in “live TV” hubs.

  • Many TVs have a Live TV , Channels or Free TV section that aggregates free live streams, sometimes including local or regional stations.
  • Manufacturers or OS platforms (e.g., Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Google TV Live, Roku Live TV Channel Guide) may include local news or city‑specific channels.

Steps

  1. Open the app store on your smart TV.
  2. Search for your city name, your local station call letters (like “WXYZ”), or generic terms such as “local news” or “local TV”.
  1. Add any station or news apps to your home screen and test the live streams.

Pros

  • Integrated directly into your TV’s interface and remote.
  • Often completely free with ads.

Cons

  • Availability varies a lot by region and TV brand.

5. Use Web Browsers or Casting as a Workaround

If your smart TV has a built‑in browser or supports casting from your phone, you can watch locals from their websites or special projects.

  • Many local stations stream their newscasts live on their own sites, and you can either open those sites in the TV browser or cast a browser tab from your phone or laptop.
  • In some regions there are experimental or research projects that let you stream local broadcast channels inside a browser as part of a study, though these may be limited and can come and go.

Pros

  • Often free and requires no extra app if your TV already has a browser or casting built‑in.

Cons

  • Clunky to navigate with a TV remote, and streams may not be as stable or polished as dedicated apps.

6. Why People Still Use Antennas (Even with Smart TVs)

Even though your question is about how to get local channels without antenna on smart TV , it helps to understand why antennas keep showing up in these discussions.

  • Over‑the‑air (OTA) broadcasts of locals (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, etc.) are still completely free once you buy a digital antenna, and picture quality can be excellent because the signal is not compressed the same way streaming can be.
  • Smart TVs generally have Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth antennas built‑in, but those are only for internet connection, not for picking up broadcast channels; a separate TV antenna is needed for OTA.

Because of that, many “best budget” guides still recommend a simple indoor antenna as the most cost‑effective long‑term solution if you watch locals frequently, then supplement with streaming apps for everything else.

Mini Forum‑Style Takeaways

“I just want locals without messing with an antenna or cable.”

You basically have three realistic paths:

  • Pay monthly for a live TV streaming bundle that includes locals.
  • Mix and match cheaper network apps (Paramount+, Peacock, etc.) to get just the locals you care about.
  • Rely on free news and local apps plus station websites, knowing it may not fully replace traditional channel lineups.

“Is there a totally free way that feels like cable?”

A completely free, fully cable‑like lineup of locals over the internet is still rare; most free setups involve a patchwork of apps focused on news, special programs and on‑demand shows rather than every single live broadcast hour.

TL;DR:
Install live TV streaming apps (like Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV) for the closest thing to full local channels without antenna, or pair free news/local apps and network‑specific subscriptions (Paramount+, Peacock, etc.) for a cheaper but more piecemeal setup on your smart TV.

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