How To Watch Local Channels On Firestick

Before we dive deeper into the subject of how to watch local channels on Firestick, let’s first address two basic questions, which will help us understand the following chapters.

Firstly, what is an Amazon Firestick?

An Amazon Firestick is a small streaming device from Amazon, which comes as an oversized USB flash drive and is designed to be plugged into the HDMI port of your TV or basically any monitor. It comes equipped with a streaming player and thus can turn any TV set with an HDMI into a smart TV.

As you link this streaming device to your Amazon account, it provides you with a large selection of entertainment options, including movies, sports, news, music, kid-friendly shows, and much more.

Each Amazon Firestick comes with some pre-installed channels and apps, such as Prime Video, YouTube, Netflix, HBO, Apple TV, and Pluto, but there are thousands of other channels that can be added. You can download them directly from the Amazon App Store or by APK (Android Package Kits) sideloading. You can review the best channels that can be added to your Amazon Firestick in the following chapters.

An Amazon Firestick costs $40 and is free to use, however, you may need to pay for watching subscription-based apps, such as Netflix and Hulu. Amazon offers both basic Firestick versions and 4K versions, which enables streaming in 4K resolution.

Secondly, what do you need to get local TV channels on Amazon Firestick?

In order to get local TV channels on Amazon Firestick, you are required to use a third-party app or a skinny bundle. As the use of a Plex server is rather complicated, it is recommended to use a third-party app.

How To Get Local TV Channels On Amazon Firestick?

Even though we live in the age of Netflix and other online streaming services, we still need access to local TV channels in order to stay informed of what is going on in our state, town, or even neighborhood. There are various different ways to get local channels, including through cable TV, satellite TV, the use of a digital antenna, and online services. However, many of those options are either pricey or inconvenient. Luckily, one can also get access to local TV channels with an Amazon Firestick. As there are several different ways to do so, make sure to review them below and choose the method you find most convenient.

How To Watch Local Channels On Firestick

1. Buy Digital Antenna and Media Server Software

One of the most straightforward and inexpensive ways to get local channels is with the use of a digital antenna. If you combine it with a custom-built Plex Media Server software, you will be able to stream broadcasts picked up by an antenna on any device with the Plex app, including the Amazon Firestick. Setting up a Plex server is somewhat complicated, as such, instead of dealing with the setup, you can simply upgrade your standard 4K Firestick and invest in the new Amazon Fire TV Recast. It’s a bit more expensive than the basic Firestick, but it will automatically connect to your digital antenna.

2. Use Network-Based Apps

This method requires you to have a subscription plan with your local TV provider and to use the plan’s login credentials at least once. Afterward, your Firestick will use the provided information to pair network apps with your TV subscription.

To use this method, follow the steps below:

  • Step 1: On your remote’s navigation ring, press ‘up’ until you reach the ‘Home’ category.
  • Step 2: Press ‘right’ on the navigation ring to reach and highlight the ‘Apps’ category. Press ‘Select’.
  • Step 3: Once you have selected the ‘Apps’ category, a sub-menu will appear. Press ‘down’ on the navigation ring to highlight ‘Features’. Go right to highlight ‘Categories’ and press ‘Select’.
  • Step 4: In the ‘Categories’ menu, you will find numerous categories, including business, education, finance, games, health and fitness, kids, magazines, movies and tv, news, productivity, etc. Using the remote’s navigation ring, navigate to a category (for example, Movies and TV) and press ‘Select’.
  • Step 5: On the next screen, you will be able to find various dedicated apps, including ABC, CBS All Access, PBS, FOX, Paramount+, the CW, and NBC. Navigate to the app you wish to get (NBC, for example) and press the ‘Select’ option.
  • Step 6: On the next screen, highlight the ‘Get’ button and press ‘Select’. Once the app is installed, you will be able to steam a limited selection of full shows, episodes, news stories, and other content. In order to watch live TV, you will probably be required to pay a subscription. You can do so through cable TV providers, internet service providers, network-specific subscriptions, or third-party services.
  • Step 7: Open the newly installed NBC app and navigate to highlight the ‘Live’ category located in the menu above.
  • Step 8: Here you can select any broadcast and choose the local NBC station.
  • Step 9: In the next step, you will be asked to select your TV provider from a list of selected TV providers, which includes Xfinity, DirecTV, Dish, Verizon, Cox, Spectrum, etc.
  • Step 10: As you select your TV provider, you may be required to log in with credentials and then the app will link to your TV provider.
  • Step 11: If you ever decide to unlink your TV provider from an app, go to ‘Menu’, navigate to ‘More’, and press ‘Select’. On the following screen, select ‘My Profile’. Finally, select the ‘Unlink’ option located under TV Provider and press ‘Select’ on your remote control to confirm the decision.

In case you also need information How to Get Spectrum TV on Firestick

3. Channel-specific Apps

An increasingly large number of TV channels have their own Amazon Fire TV Stick apps. As these apps only work for a specific channel, in order to add all your local channels, you have to install and add all the separate apps. This may sound like a drag but finding apps for your Firestick is actually quite easy. Simply follow the few steps below:

  • Step 1: From the home screen, go to ‘Apps’.
  • Step 2: Select ‘Categories’.
  • Step 3: Choose ‘Movies and TV’, or simply search for the channel you wish to add with the Alexa button located on your remote control.

If you decide to pursue this method, keep in mind that a lot of content may be exclusive to your local channels, which means that add the general NBC app may not grant you access to your local news.

4. Live Streaming Services

Live streaming services may be the best option, especially for those who don’t want to deal with setting up an antenna or paying pricey cable TV fees. Live streaming services enable you to customize your channel list by only choosing the channels you wish to watch. By doing so you can use live streaming services at a reduced price, instead of paying for over a hundred channels that you never watch. Before you select a streaming service and sign up, make sure to Google them and check the exact channel list that they offer in your region. Some of the most popular live streaming services include Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV, Fubo TV, etc.

  • Sling TV: Sling TV’s core package comes with a number of basic channels and enables you to add on other channels you may wish to watch. There are three main packages: Sling Orange (costs $30 a month), Sling Blue (costs $30 a month), and a combination package combining Orange and Blue (costs $49 a month). The features and channels they offer depend largely on where you live. Some channels are included in both packages, and others differ, therefore the combo package provides the most channels. Sling TV offers a free 7-day trial, which allows you to see if it is a good choice for you.
  • Hulu Live TV: Hulu Live TV is a streaming service known for having one of the largest channel selections, including many local and national channels. The exact list of channels depends on where you live and as their official website offers you to enter your ZIP code, you are able to know exactly what you are buying before you actually do so. The service also offers HD streaming to any device, including your Amazon Firestick. Hulu Live TV costs $64.99 a month, which is quite expensive, however, the content selection is huge. They also offer a 7-day free trial.
  • YouTube TV: YouTube TV is one of the most expensive live streaming services (it costs $64.99 a month), however, it offers some great benefits, including compatibility with all kinds of devices, which enables streaming anywhere, and 85 popular channels, which will surely fulfill all your needs.
  • AT&T TV: AT&T TV also offers a wide selection of both local and national channels, plus, a huge amount of sports, movies, and popular shows. The exact list of channels depends on your ZIP code. The basic package costs $69 a month and includes 46+ channels, including HBO. The ‘Choice’ option costs $85 a month. It offers more sports coverage and allows you to add HBO Max, Cinemax, and 10 additional channels. They offer a 7-day free trial and often run promotional deals and discounts.
  • Fubo TV: Fubo TV is most popular among sports fans. In addition to a lot of sports coverage, they offer many local and national TV channels. The basic package costs $64.99 a month and provides access to 95 channels, 500 hours of DVR, and 3 screens at once. The ‘Elite’ package, on the other hand, costs $79.99 a month and provides access to 153 channels, Fubo Extra, 1000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 5 devices at once. They also offer a free trial.

5. Third-Party Applications

Some third-party services provide local channel access and others don’t. Many of these apps are free of charge and they may give you access to all your favorite local channels.

One of the third-party apps that provides local channels is Kodi, an open-source media server solution that offers numerous add-ons, which provide local channels regardless of your whereabouts. As the repository community is anarchic, searching for channels may take a lot of your time.

Another great app for streaming local channels on Firestick is Locast, which has local news outlets for more than 30 U.S. cities.

6. Cable Based Networks apps

Cable-based networks provide over 30 apps, including Comedy Central, MTV, Lifetime, Cartoon Network, FreeForm, TNT, TBS, SyFy, and others. They allow you to access a huge library of content from any of the major cable networks, like NBC and ABC. Nonetheless, to unlock all the features, you will be required to pay a subscription, which can sometimes be relatively expensive. However, with the many benefits, this may still be the best option for you.

How To Get Local Channels On Firestick With The Amazon News App

Not having to pay expensive cable TV fees and not having to deal with complicated antenna setups became a much more realistic option for Firestick customers with the Amazon News App. This free app, which is now available for Firestick and Fire TV users, supports local channels in more than 80 cities throughout the country. It enables customers to watch live news from popular channels, like ABC, NBC, CBSN, and others.

Amazon News App is available in these locations:

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Austin, TX
  • Bakersfield, CA
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Beaumont, TX
  • Billings, MT
  • Boise, ID
  • Boston, MA
  • Buffalo, NY
  • Butte-Bozeman, MT
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Chicago, IL
  • Cincinnati, OH
  • Cleveland, OH
  • College Station, TX
  • Colorado Springs, CO
  • Columbia, SC
  • Columbus, OH
  • Corpus Christi, TX
  • Dallas, TX
  • Davenport, IA
  • Dayton, OH
  • Denver, CO
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Detroit, MI
  • Fayetteville, AR
  • Fort Myers, FL
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Great Falls, MT
  • Green Bay, WI
  • Greensboro, NC
  • Harrisburg, PA
  • Hartford, CT
  • Helena, MT
  • Houston, TX
  • Huntsville, AL
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Jacksonville, FL
  • Knoxville, TN
  • Lafayette, LA
  • Lansing-Jackson, MI
  • Lexington, KY
  • Little Rock, AR
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Louisville, KY
  • Macon, GA
  • Memphis, TN
  • Miami, FL
  • Midland, TX
  • Milwaukee, WI
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Missoula, MT
  • Moosic, PA
  • Nashville, TN
  • New Orleans, LA
  • New York, NY
  • Norfolk, VA
  • Omaha, NE
  • Orlando, FL
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Pittsburgh, CA
  • Portland, OR
  • Richmond, VA
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Salt Lake City, UT
  • San Angelo, TX
  • San Antonio, TX
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Santa Barbara, CA
  • Seattle, WA
  • Spokane, WA
  • Louis, MI
  • Tallahassee, FL
  • Tampa, FL
  • Temple, TX
  • Toledo, OH
  • Tulsa, OK
  • Tyler, TX
  • Waco, TX
  • Washington, D.C.
  • West Palm Beach, FL

To stream local channels on Amazon Firestick by using the Amazon News App, make sure to follow the simple steps below.

  • Step 1: Go to your Firestick home screen, find the Amazon News App, and click it to launch.
  • Step 2: Scroll and find ‘Local News’. Press on it.
  • Step 3: Under the ‘More Channels’ option, select ‘Manage Local News’.
  • Step 4: Select up to two preferred cities and press ‘Continue’.
  • Step 5: Then, select your favorite local news channels and press ‘Continue’.
  • Step 6: Add your favorite national news channels and press ‘Continue’.
  • Step 7: Arrange your selected news channels in your preferred order and press ‘Done’.
  • Step 8: Your favorite local channels are now displayed in your preferred order in the ‘Local News’ category.

Read one of our past articles How To Get Local Channels On Samsung Smart TV

How To Set Up The Fire TV Recast

To successfully set up Fire TV Recast, simply follow the quick and easy steps below.

  • Step 1: Make sure you have the latest version of the Fire TV app installed on your mobile device.
  • Step 2: Make sure our Fire TV streaming media player, Fire TV Edition television, and/or Echo Show are all updated to the latest version.
  • Step 3: Power on the device on which you wish to use your Fire TV Recast – for example, Fire TV Edition television, Fire TV streaming media players, or Echo Show. In case you have only recently purchased the device, set it up before setting up Fire TV Recast. Also, make sure that the device you wish to use with the Fire TV Recast is on the same network and registered to the same Amazon account as the Fire TV Recast.
  • Step 4: Launch the Fire TV app on your mobile device and press ‘Set up Fire TV Recast’. Afterward, simply follow the provided instructions.

What Channels Are Free With The Firestick?

Some of the channels that are free with the Firestick include but are not limited to the following:

  • Amazon Prime
  • BBC News
  • Bloomberg TV
  • Disney Junior
  • FilmRise True Crime
  • FreeForm
  • HBO NOW (30 days, then $15 a month)
  • History Channel
  • HuffPost Live
  • Hulu
  • IMDB TV
  • Netflix
  • Showtime
  • Spotify
  • Tubi
  • Vimeo
  • Watch ESPN
  • Watch Food Network
  • XUMO TV
  • YouTube

List of Jailbroken Firestick Channels

  • Crackle
  • Freeflix HQ
  • Pluto TV

List of Best Premium Firestick Channels

  • Hulu Live TV
  • Netflix
  • Sling TV
  • AT&T TV

List of Best Kids Firestick Channels

  • GoNoodle
  • Pokemon TV
  • PBS Kids
  • Popcornflix Kids
  • Nick Jr.

List of Best Sports Firestick Channels

  • ESPN
  • Fubo TV
  • Mobdro
  • NBA
  • NBC Sports
  • NFL
  • WOW Sports Live

List of Best Fitness Firestick Channels

  • Daily Burn
  • Beachbody on Demand
  • FitYou
  • NEOU
  • Peloton
  • Yoga TV
  • Zumba Workout

List of Best Movie Firestick Channels

  • ABC Movies and Live TV shows
  • Disney Plus
  • Flixter
  • Hallmark
  • Netflix
  • Popcornflix

List of Best Educational Firestick Channels

  • TED TV
  • NASA
  • Popular Science

Watching Firestick Others Thing You Should Know

Can you Get Local Channels for Free?

Yes, there are numerous ways to get local channels for free, including with the use of a digital antenna, live streaming services, third-party, apps, and the Amazon News App.

Can I Watch Live TV on Firestick For Free?

Yes, you can. To do so, find a live TV app and install it. Launch the app and browse the available live TV channels.

Can you get ABC, NBC, and CBS on Firestick?

Yes, these channels and many more can be added to your Amazon Firestick in many ways, including with the Amazon News App.

Where can I stream Local news on Firestick?

Currently, there are around 88 locations that support and stream local news on Firestick through the Amazon News App. If we count all the other ways in which you can stream local news on Firestick, you can do so nationwide.

Can You Watch Normal TV On Amazon Firestick?

Yes, you can watch regular TV on Amazon Firestick. You can select the channels you wish to watch according to your preferences. With Firestick you can watch TV channels on multiple streaming devices.

Which is better, Roku or Firestick?

Both Roku and Firestick are considered some of the best streaming devices. Which one of the two is better depends completely on your preferences. Roku is easier to use, however, Firestick offers a wider selection of content.

Amazon Firestick vs Satellite TV

Considering the wide selection of functions, options, and channels provided by Amazon Firestick, most users would agree that this is a better option than satellite TV. Satellite TV may have a more organized and user-friendly interface, however, Firestick offers all the same channels as well as many more. And while having multiple streaming service subscriptions may sound expensive, it turns out that it’s not. With Amazon Firestick you will get more channels for the same price or even cheaper. However, as usual, the final decision depends on the preferences of each user.

You can read one of our past articles Best IPTV Service for Firestick