We think Philo is the best value available to live stream channels usually found on cable TV. You get over 60 channels for just $25 per month with no contract with a 7-day free trial.
However, Philo doesn’t offer local channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. For Philo fans, we will go over the best ways to get your local network channels when you don’t have cable.
Use Philo and a TV Antenna
Local TV channels are free if you live anywhere near a relatively populated area in the United States. All you need to do is set up a TV antenna to receive local channels broadcast in your area. It’s pretty easy to do, and it’s no risk if you try something like this Vansky Indoor Antenna on Amazon. They offer a money-back guarantee, so if it doesn’t work, you can send it back. Hooking this antenna up is effortless. When installing the antenna, find the antenna port on your television’s back and screw the coaxial cable into the port that connects to the antenna. See the picture below as an example.
When placing your antenna for reception, your best placement will be in an area where either side of the antenna’s flat panel is the direction of the towers. The FCC has a great mapping tool to show you which stations are available in your area. You can use the FCC tool to see where the TV towers are relative to your location. Then click the station callsigns, and it will show a line between your home and the tower. For example, in the picture below, I should have my antenna facing a south-western direction for the best reception.
Once the antenna is installed, turn on your TV and scan for channels. Televisions generally have a “Channel Scan” option in the “Settings,” “Tools,” or “Options” menu. You can also look into our guide to TV antennas if you want a more robust solution. You can even use an Over the Air DVR, and record shows from your antenna. DVR’s like Tablo plugs into your home’s router and can be streamed to streaming devices in your house using an app.
Other Options
Adding either of the two options above to Philo gives you a comprehensive solution to cut the cord, starting at only $25 per month. However, we understand they may not work for you. In that case, we recommend taking a look at the following streaming services channel lineups. Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream, and fubo TV are all great options for watching local channels around the country.
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