How to Get Local Channels on an Amazon Fire TV Stick

The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a great device that allows you to stream all of your favorite content right to your TV without having to pay for cable. While streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video offer extensive content libraries, they don’t offer local channels. Hulu does offer local streaming through ‘Hulu + Live TV’ but at an expensive cost. Fortunately, there are still a few ways you can get local channels on your Amazon Fire TV Stick. Keep reading to learn how you can quickly and easily access local content without cable.

Use an Antenna and Media Server Hardware/Software to Get Local Channels

The most straightforward way to get local channels on your Fire TV Stick (or Cube) is to switch to a digital antenna. Gaining access to your local news and weather can be challenging when you’re streaming on the web, but by switching to an antenna, you can watch all of your standard local channels without any additional fees or steps.

This setup requires a digital antenna and a receiver capable of Wi-Fi sharing, such as an Amazon Recast device, a PC antenna card, or an HDHomeRun receiver. You can also use an antenna with third-party software that has media server capabilities, such as Plex. Regardless of what method you choose, all options need to connect to your Wi-Fi network, and the Firestick needs to be set to mirroring mode.

Use Amazon Fire TV Recast to Get Local Channels on a Firestick

If you’re new to Fire OS, picking up Amazon’s Fire TV Recast is the way to go. Recast works with Amazon’s TV platform, but it also includes a built-in antenna input on the back of the box. You can place the Recast device anywhere you want to if the antenna can attach to it. That’s it! Fire TV Recast is a bit pricey but well worth the upgrade over the standard Fire TV Stick 4K if you’re new to the platform. The device works with any version or release of Fire TV Sticks and other Fire TV devices.

Use a Plex Media Server to Get Local Channels on a Fire Stick

If you already have a Fire Stick but don’t want to spend the money on a Fire TV Recast, you aren’t totally out of luck. A custom-built Plex Media Server can stream broadcasts picked up by an antenna to any device with the Plex app, including your Fire Stick.

Setting up a Plex server isn’t as easy as just picking up a Fire TV Recast, but it’s not impossible. Check out this tutorial on how to connect your Plex server to your Fire TV stick. As with using Amazon’s Fire Recast, a Plex-compatible tuner and any antenna grant you access to every local channel broadcast in your area that you receive. It’s free once you’ve paid for the antenna and the tuner.

Use a PC Tuner or USB Tuner and an Antenna to Get Local Channels on a Fire TV Stick

Using an internal tuner card or a USB tuner dongle on your PC and an antenna, you can mirror or cast to your Fire TV Stick or Cube.

  1. On your Fire TV Stick, press and hold down the Home button of the remote to access the Quick Settings Menu.
  2. Choose Mirroring.
  3. A mirroring screen appears, telling you that the device is ready for a signal from the mirroring device.
  4. On your Windows 10 PC, click on the notification icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
  5. Select Project or Connect.
  6. Choose your Fire TV Stick or Cube from the list of available devices and start mirroring your PC’s display.

Use an HDHomeRun Device and an Antenna to Get Local Channels on a Fire TV Stick

An antenna hooked up to an HDHomeRun plug-and-play device lets you stream local channels to your Firestick via Wi-Fi. The device is pricey, but it is a great, reliable option.

  1. Connect an antenna to your HDHomeRun device.
  2. Power the device up and connect it to your Wi-Fi network.
  3. Ensure your Fire TV Stick gets connected to the same network as the HDHomeRun device.
  4. Set up the HDHomeRun receiver to connect to your Firestick, then start surfing your favorite local channels.

Use Channel-Specific Apps to Watch Local Channels on a Fire TV Stick

Many TV network channels have their own Amazon Fire TV Stick apps, such as CBS, NBC (Peacock), ABC (Paramount+), etc., that allow you to watch live TV. Of course, some require you to subscribe to their streaming service, but others have streaming options directly in their app. Regardless, these apps only work for that specific network. Therefore, you have to hunt down all the major networks for your local channels and hope that you can get live streams or subscribe to them.

Please note that the above method gives you channels that are genuinely local to your area. If you want to get a different area’s local stations, you’ll need to change your location via a piece of software called a VPN. ExpressVPN is fast and secure for streaming, and you can choose whatever city or state location across the U.S. that you’d like.

Still, there is an easy, reliable solution if you don’t want to add hardware. Many cable networks have apps, such as FX, Nickelodeon, etc., and some of the apps offer free access to networks/local channels using your Cable TV provider. Finding apps for your Fire Stick is easy. From the home screen, head to Apps -> Categories -> Movies & TV, or search for the channel you’re looking for using the Alexa button on your remote.

Use Live TV Streaming Services to Watch Local Channels on a Firestick

Another option you have to get local channels using apps is to subscribe to Hulu + Live TV or YouTube Red, but they come at a price.

A live-streaming service might be the best choice for people who don’t want to mess with antennas or pay for an overpriced cable package.

Some services allow you to build your package, including only the networks that you want. Instead of paying for 100+ channels that you don’t watch when using cable TV, you pay for a select few at a reduced price.

There are several of these streaming services on the market. Here are some of the best and more popular options.

When selecting a service to use, check out their channel list before you sign up. Some services offer different channels in different regions.

Each service should have a dedicated page for channel listings. You can view your fuboTV local channel list, Sling TV local channels (in specific Sling Designated Market Areas (DMAs) or using Sling AirTV with an antenna), DirectTV local channel list, and more.

Use Kodi to Get Local Channels on a Firestick

You can access some local programming via Kodi using an HDHomeRun device with an antenna connected to it. Kodi is an open-source media server solution with many repositories or add-ons, including the HDHomeRun app.

For more details, see the tutorial on installing Kodi to your Fire TV Stick so that you can get started with setting up HDHomeRun.

Use Sling TV to Get Local Channels on a Fire TV Stick

Sling TV is a valuable service that streams local channels using an AirTV receiver/server and an antenna. The AirTV device acts as the channel receiver and media server, streaming the signal through your local Wi-Fi network to your Fire TV Stick or Cube. You need the Sling app on your Fire TV device, and the local channels appear in the TV guide within it. You can choose to view local only or all live streaming networks that you get in your package. The guide is quite universal, with excellent sorting capabilities.

Sure, Sling offers a couple of local channels like FOX and NBC for some Sling locations without the need for an AirTV device, but it only benefits a small number of zones, as shown in the Sling Designated Market Areas. Therefore, AirTV is the best choice, and it doesn’t use your bandwidth when streaming your local channels on your Wi-Fi network.

The AirTV device and an antenna provide network connectivity that allows your Firestick to stream your local network channels through the Sling app to enjoy the best selection of regional networks on Sling.

Use ‘Hulu + Live TV’ on Your Firestick to get Local Channels

Hulu + Live TV has most of the local networks for your area. Much of what you get depends on where you live. The main live TV page requests your zip code to tell you precisely what you can expect. This service includes many of the local and national channels you pay a whole lot more for with cable, and it offers HD streaming to any device, including the Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Hulu Live TV costs $64.99 a month, including a complete subscription to the usual Hulu content plus your local channels. Exact channel selections will vary, as mentioned above. The monthly cost is expensive, but the amount of content available is enormous. In reality, it is much cheaper than cable TV.

Use ‘YouTube Premium’ on Your Fire TV Stick to get Local Channels

One of the most popular web cable services online today is also one of the most expensive, but now that it’s finally available in the Fire TV Appstore, you can stream YouTube TV anywhere. At $64.99 per month, YouTube Premium has become one of the most fully-fledged cable-like services online in 2021.

Use AT&T TV to get Your Local Channels on Your Firestick

DIRECTV STREAM, formerly known asAT&T TV, AT&T TV Now, and DirecTV Now, is similar to Hulu in that it offers a vast selection of national and local channels. Again, what you get depends on your zip code, but your choices usually include local TV networks and national ones, plus plenty of sports and movies.

DIRECTV STREAM is priced similarly, with its lowest package costing $69.99 per month for 65+ channels. There is also a “Choice” option with 90+ channels for $84.99 and the “Ultimate Package” with 103+ channels that costs $94.99 per month.

Use fuboTV to Get Local Channels on a Fire TV Stick or Cube

fuboTV is lesser-known but a must-try for sports fans, especially now that they have ESPN on board. Their local channel listings used to be non-existent, but thanks to pressure from users and the competition, the service is upping its game. It now offers a range of local and national TV channels within their packages. It is still sports-centric but has a broader product list now.

fuboTV costs $64.99 per month for the ‘Starter’ package, $69.99 per month for ‘fubo Pro’, or $79.99 per month for the ‘fubo Elite’ bundle. Depending on the package you choose, you get over 154 channels and 130 events in 4K quality, ten streams at home, and of course, Fire TV support. Take note that all packages include your local channels, such as ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, MyTV, etc. There is also a free trial offer.

Which Works Best For You?

There are lots of different options for you to choose from if you’re trying to get local channels on your Fire TV Stick. They all have their perks, as well as a few downsides. And some are pretty affordable, while others are a little hefty in the price tag. Which one did you choose? Do you know of another method we didn’t cover? Let us know in the comments below!

17 thoughts on “How to Get Local Channels on an Amazon Fire TV Stick”

Wilma Delgado says:
Why my liveTV show one program and the guide says another program.
Steve Larner says:
Seeing a difference between the Guide and Live TV on a channel usually occurs when time zones or regions are different between the two. Furthermore, those that have cable to compare to will find a difference most of the time between the cable TV guide and the app’s guide. In addition, an app’s network channel is not always the same thing as another app’s channel. For instance, a Nickelodeon channel on Pluto is not the same channel as on cable TV or another app like Sling TV. This scenario is due to property rights and what a particular provider is permitted to show. They basically create their own channel with content approved by the network. These scenarios may or may not be what you are referring to, but they do exist.
KIMBERLY WILEY says:
How do I add an app that I have a cable subscription for
Julie says:
It’s pretty straightforward. You find the app associated with the service, download and login using your cable provider credentials.
Clutch R. Cargo says:
coming from an expert installer(20+yrs.) there is no such thing as a “digital” antenna.HD yes,but digital- no.It’s just marketing hype to get sheeple to buy their product.Those little stick on the wall or window antenna aren’t worth a damn. He showed what he recom-mended and knowing what I do it was nice and would work very well.I don’t remember
the brand or price.Seems like around $70.00.I’m sure it is in a file,just need to find it so I
can get one with my next pension check.
Edward Yurkstas says:
I am using a 32″ Westinghouse Roku TV with a GE Ultra Pro HD amplified movable Antenna Bar mounted above the screen attached to the tv’s antenna port to view local channels in the Rochester, NY area. The TV’s home screen also has individual Apps for all the HDMI, AV, and Antenna ports that the Roku’s Tv’s controller is able to access. Activating the Antenna App allows the Tv to access and view each individual local channel.
I also have a Amazon Firestick attached to another TV with a similar GE antenna attached to the tv’s antenna port but have been unable to obtain access to the Tv’s antenna port. to view local channels with the Firestick controller. I am only able to access the Tv’s antenna port by using the Tv’s Controller Menu Button to view local channels. Would your Tech personnel be able to develop a protocol to view local channels directly using the Amazon Firestick ?
DanK says:
Pluto TV is testing providing local channels on their app through a Roku tv only. I’ve tried it but it’s buggy so far.
Randy says:
YouTube TV has all the local channels.
Addi says:
How much is YouTube TV? What are some of the best deals for digital antennas? What is the most cost effective way to access live local channels, if I already have access to Amazon Prime video?
Diane says:
I have 3 TVs with a fire stick and Netflix. How do I connect to channels without paying a 3nd party. Can I hook it up myself. Do I need an antenna for each tv. I have the internet, was paying 30 per month to someone who hooked it up but it didn’t work half the time. Can I get a walkthrough to do it myself if possible. Thanks for any feedback back. And I’m elderly but understand some computer language
V says:
I’ve been trying to get live NBC. Firestick finally included Fox in their channel lineup (using Mobdro) I may purchase an HD antenna just to get NBC stations and news.
Gary Davis says:
How can I get local channels outside of my new area? Moved 20 miles across the GA & N.C. line & Dish now will only let me see Atlanta channels, yet we are much closer to Chattanooga & have nothing in common with Atlanta.
Chivas Regal says:
How about an antenna?? If you use an HDhomerun, Airtv, Clearchannel tv, Mohu Airwave, or possible others I am not aware of, you can use a basic HD antenna and have clear HDTV for free on your firestick with no mothly costs whatsoever. I didn’t even mention the Amazon recast which has a built in HD 500GB-1TB to DVR if you are into that. There is no need to sign up for any of these services, just do your research
Angie says:
If you use the HD antenna then I’m guessing you would need a separate HD antenna for each TV you want local channels on??
Sabrina says:
No, in fact, you don’t need a separate one. You just need a splitter to however many tv’s are in your home. Such as I have one antenna and 3 tv’s and it works on all of them at the same time. I just have a 3 way splitter going to them all. I installed it all myself in under an hour.
Cindy Gamblin says:
I have the nbc app and have live tv but I live in Delano, TN and should be getting either Knoxville Or Chattanooga local news but for some reason it is giving me Nashville local news. How do I change it? I have put in my zip code but it still won’t change over.
Ken W. says:
Either contact the app provider, or if you moved recently make sure you update your payment address. I had to do that for sling. Then all was well.
Glendeen says:
I have the NBC app, but don’t see where you can get local channels. Where do I find it?
Clarence K Rucker says:
Anything new on local live TV on firestick.
Elaine says:
What is or where do I get a Plex media server. I have Hulu on Roku in another room. Can u help me?
Freon Sandoz says:
I must be looking at the Sling channel list wrong, because I don’t see any local or network channels (ABC, NBC, CBS) at all!
Jo says:
Depends where you live. I can only get Fox and NBC On Demand (No live NBC).
jspot says:
You also need an Air TV connected to an HD antenna to receive local channels using Sling.

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