With hit shows like The Bachelor and Grey’s Anatomy, many want to know how to watch ABC without cable. The good news is there is no shortage of options. Depending on where you live, you can watch your local ABC channel for free using a TV antenna or streaming the channel on the free streaming service Locast. You can also stream ABC live on Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and AT&T TV. All these solutions are based on where you live, so read on to learn how to watch ABC without needing a subscription to cable TV.
Best Way To Watch ABC Live Right Now: Use a 7-day free trial to Hulu Live TV or a 7-day free trial to FuboTV. Both work on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, and more. There is no long-term commitment so you won’t be charged for your first month if you cancel before the free trial expires.
Watch Live ABC Free
Locast streams the local ABC network live in over 50% of households, and it is 100% free. You can even watch Locast using a streaming device. Locast supports Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV.
While Locast is technically free, the service does interrupt its broadcast every 15 minutes or so to ask for a donation of $5. If you decide to donate, then the message is removed, and you can watch without solicitation from Locast for donations. Please, note that the service also subject to a pending lawsuit from the major broadcast networks, so while the service is currently legal, it is unknown how long that status will last.
Locast is available in the following 34 TV markets:
- Atlanta, GA
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Cleveland, OH
- Chicago, IL
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Los Angeles, CA
- Madison, WI
- Miami, FL
- Minneapolis, MN
- New York, NY
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Portland, OR
- Puerto Rico
- Rapid City, SD
- Raleigh-Durham, NC
- Sacramento, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Scranton, PA
- Seattle, WA
- Sioux City, IA
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Tampa Bay, FL
- Tri-Cities (TN, KY, and VA)
- Washington, D.C
- West Palm Beach, FL
You can read more in our review of Locast. You can try their service by downloading Locast to your favorite supported streaming device or on their website.
Watch ABC With an Antenna
Generally, if you live in a city or the suburbs, you can watch ABC over the air using something as simple as this $25 Flat TV antenna. The free return policy makes it no risk. If it doesn’t get the channels you want, you can return it for your money back.
You can see if ABC is available over the air using this FCC page. If the flat antenna doesn’t perform to your expectations, then check out the following instructional guides for more details on over the air TV.
- Learn How to Choose a TV Antenna
- Learn How to Use One Antenna for Multiple TVs
- Learn How to Ground a TV Antenna
- Learn how to Improve Antenna TV Reception
- Record from your Antenna with an Over the Air DVR
Watch ABC Live Without Cable
Below I’m going to cover the streaming services that offer a live broadcast of ABC. Broadcast stations like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC are separated into 210 TV markets in the US. Each streaming service has to negotiate a deal with the station owners in each market to carry the channel.
To watch ABC, use the link in each section to subscribe to a service that offers ABC in your area, download the services streaming app to a streaming device like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, etc. and watch ABC through that services channel guide.
ABC On Hulu Live TV
Hulu not only offers its on-demand service but live-streaming as well. They offer ABC along with other local networks and other channels found on cable TV. According to the data we have, live ABC is available everywhere in the US. However, be sure to check Hulu’s Website for the latest channels in your area on this page: Hulu Live TV Channels by Zipcode.
A Subscription to Hulu + Live TV includes:
- The basic package comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage. (Upgrades available)
- Watch on 2 screens at once. (Upgrades available)
- It comes with 6 customizable profiles
- Includes entire Hulu streaming library
Hulu + Live TV is supported on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, iOS, Android, and more. You can read more about Hulu in our review of Hulu. There isn’t a month to month contract so you can sign up to test the service without fear of a long term commitment. You can sign up for Hulu Live TV using this link: Sign up for a Free-Trial to Hulu + Live TV.
How Much: The base package starts at $64.99 per month.
ABC on fuboTV
FuboTV has rapidly increased the number of locations where they stream the live local ABC network. Currently, FuboTV delivers ABC in 184 of 210 TV markets in the US. However, fuboTV most of the larger TV markets and streams live ABC in 97% of U.S. households.
You can check out a free trial to FuboTV here. Here are some of fuboTV’s features:
- Over 100 channels are available in fuboTV’s channel lineup
- You can watch on three screens at the same time
- 250 hours of cloud DVR storage
- The FuboTV app is available on major platforms, including Roku, Chromecast, Fire TV, Apple TV, and more.
For more information on FuboTV features please see out Fubo TV review.
How Much: FuboTV costs $64.99 per month.
ABC on YouTube TV
YouTube TV is another great option to watch ABC live. YouTubeTV offers live ABC with its streaming service in all markets in the US. Youtube TV supports Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and more. The YouTube TV app isn’t available on Roku. However, users can use YouTube TV through the YouTube app on Roku devices.
YouTube TV provides:
- ABC and over 70 other channels
- unlimited cloud DVR storage
- stream on three devices at once
- Youtube TV supports Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and more. The YouTube TV app isn’t available on Roku. However, users can use YouTube TV through the YouTube app on Roku devices.
- Includes Youtube TV on-demand
- offers a 1-week free trial.
Check our review of YouTube TV for more details.
How Much: $64.99 per month.
Watch ABC on AT&T TV
AT&T TV offers live ABC streaming in many markets. ABC is available through all AT&T TV plans. The most affordable is the “Entertainment” package for $69.99 a month, along with a ton of cable TV and other broadcast networks. ABC offers ABC in over half the markets in the US. You can check AT&T’s Website to allow you to make sure ABC is offered in your area. You can also see our review of AT&T TV.
How Much: $69.99 per month through it’s “Entertainment” package.
Watch on the ABC Go App
You can download the ABC GO app on various devices to watch live and On-Demand ABC. Current episodes of ABC shows available free. A “lock” symbol identifies which episodes require you to link your participating TV provider account. However, Locked episodes for most shows will become available to watch without signing into your participating TV provider account 8 days after the episode first airs on TV.
The ABC Go app accepts Hulu, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and AT&T TV as pay-TV providers credentials. Be aware that the ABC GO App will only stream live in participating markets. Check the ABC GO FAQ for more information.
Watch ABC on Roku
To watch ABC on Roku through a streaming service like FuboTV, Hulu Live TV, AT&T TV, YouTube TV, etc., follow these instructions.
- Subscribe to a streaming service that carries ABC
- On your Roku Menu, navigate to “Search” and press “OK” on your remote
- Enter the name of the streaming service you subscribe to in the search bar
- Select the streaming service and press “OK.”
- Select “Add Channel” press “OK” on your remote. If the channel is already installed, “Go To Channel” will be an option.
- The App is now installed on your Roku. Open the app, and log in with the credentials you used to subscribe to the service. ABC will be a channel available through the app’s live TV guide.
If you do not subscribe to one of the streaming services that carry ABC, you can also download the ABC Go app to your Roku. This won’t be the same as having your local ABC channel, but you will at least have access to ABC TV shows. If you have a Roku TV, you can use the Roku Live TV feature and a TV antenna to watch ABC on your Roku TV.
Watch ABC on Fire TV
To watch ABC on Fire TV through a streaming service like FuboTV, Hulu Live TV, AT&T TV, YouTube TV, etc, follow these instructions.
- Subscribe to a streaming service that carries ABC
- On your Fire TV Home screen, click on the search icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Enter the name of the streaming service you subscribe to in the search bar
- Select the streaming service and press “OK.”
- Select “Download,” and the channel will install
- The App is now installed on your Fire TV. Open the app, and log in with the credentials you used to subscribe to the service. ABC will be a channel available through the app’s live TV guide.
If you do not subscribe to one of the streaming services that carry ABC, you can also download the ABC Go app to your Fire TV. This won’t be the same as having your local ABC channel, but you will at least have access to ABC TV shows.
Watch ABC on Apple TV
To watch ABC on Apple TV through a streaming service like FuboTV, Hulu Live TV, AT&T TV, YouTube TV, etc., follow these instructions.
- Subscribe to a streaming service that carries ABC
- Scroll right to the search icon in the upper-left corner of the screen
- Enter the name of the streaming service you subscribe to in the search bar
- Select the streaming service click the cloud icon, and the channel will install
- The App is now installed on your Apple TV. Open the app, and log in with the credentials you used to subscribe to the service. ABC will be a channel available through the app’s live TV guide.
If you do not subscribe to one of the streaming services that carry ABC, you can also download the ABC Go app to your Apple TV. This won’t be the same as having your local ABC channel, but you will at least have access to ABC TV shows.
How To Watch Shows On ABC
Below are articles explaining how to watch popular ABC shows.
For information on watching other TV channels online check out: How To Stream Specific TV Channels
If this article didn't answer your specific question, head over to our Home Page! It will guide you to affordable internet providers, streaming services to meet your needs, information on antennas, and many more tools and resources to help you save money on TV and Internet access.
For tips and tricks on cutting the cord and other tech topics be sure to join our Facebook Page.