Moose Loc: North Carolina

I've had Google Fiber installed and discontinued my Spectrum account. I thought Google had an option to select the local channels, but its just a fast internet connection and no TV options, except for an option you can buy for $60 a month that will provide the same basic and movie channels offered by Spectrum and others. Total cost is $70 for Google Fiber and $60 for the Google Channel.

I knew that I would need some other means to select local channels so I purchase Ruku for my TV's, but with all the options provided, I cannot find one that will provide the local channels. For instance, I can get CBS, but it is the national version and no local. I signed up for HULU which I thought would give me the local channel option, but if it does, I don't know how to set it up.

There is another option and that is having an external antenna to get local channels. Not that expensive which I may have to use.

Other than signing up for the Google channel, going back to Spectrum or using the external antenna, does anyone know of an option to use on Ruku?

Thanks for your help. It will be appeciated as my wife is and I are struggling to get back to the "norm".

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

For the free options on roku try NewsON and Haystack TV to see if they carry your local stations. Also browse the News and Weather category of the Roku Channel Store and look for your lical affiliates there. Best I have. We use an old set of rabbit ears and get 17 local digital stations. We are 30 miles from Cincinnati and 30 miles from Dayton Ohio. The rabbit ears are our choice. We purchased a newer digital tv antenna and it was not impressive. Best of luck. Also check out Youtube TV. I just put in my zipcode and they carry 4 of my local channels. All free.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Go to this site to see what you will get with rabbit ears or an indoor antenna. Its an excellent way to see.

(Download)

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Once you have paid for your internet access (which you need anyway) and a streaming HW device like a ROKU, then you can either subscribe to a streaming service such as UTube TV that provides local channels or use an external antenna to access (free) over-the-air local stations.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

To watch local TV stations your options are:
1. attach an antenna, indoor or outdoor
2. satellite
3. cable
4. internet access plus a streaming service, such as Hulu, YouTubeTV, Fubo or - in some areas - Locast or Sling. Each streaming service will come at a cost, as you are about to find out with Hulu. Hulu set up will be self explanatory. Go to the channel list and pick what you want, just as you did with Spectrum cable. If your TV set is a "smart TV", you may not need the Roku at all.

Note that your Roku will let you watch network programming free, but content may be different than your local channels.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Roku has a Spectrum app that costs about $25 a month. You’ll get all the local basic channels and several cable channels also like TBS, AMC and several others.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

We use YouTube TV and love it. Get all the local channels plus all the sports channels. I think it’s around $75 a month.

whfowle Loc: Tampa first, now Albuquerque

Here in Albuquerque, I have Dish service and their box has a secondary feed that I have hooked up to a roof top antenna. So I get both satellite and direct antenna reception of the local channels. In most cases, the antenna feed is actually higher quality than the satellite. Recently, the owners of the CBS and Fox channels got in a dispute with Dish and dumped them for about a month. I didn't miss a thing while they had a price war going on.

Bayou

You'll be surprised how many interesting channels you'll get with old school rabbit ears, or better yet, a flat style antenna, like a plastic sheet of paper.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I had YouTube TV for a while via ROKU. Dropped Comcast. YouTube had all the local channels. But no internet service. So I had to keep Comcast for that service It was a bit clunky vs Comcast. Then they raised the price until it was only pennies lower than Comcast. Switched back to Comcast as a new customer at a new customer price. Say what you want about Comcast, but their technology is hard to beat. Customer service is well, maybe a little better that it was...a little.. Verizon unavailable this area, or I would try them. Just trying to share my experience with youall

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I hear ya. I HAVE AN OLD pair of rabbit ears and stuck them up close to the vaulted ceiling. I get 12 main channels and 32 total channels. I live in the country 30 miles from a tv station. We have Spectrum and it goes out regular so I just change source on the tv and smile.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

YouTube TV is $70/month + tax, if applicable in your state. The local channels aren't free, but they don't cost extra because they are part of the paid subscription.

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To the OP: I have an antenna that sticks to the wall or window. Looks like an oversized mouse pad and picks up all my local channels just great. I bought on amazon for $25. Similar:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tv+antenna&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

I have had my internet access with Spectrum Cable for a couple of decades (previously Charter Communications). Gotta have email, Google and UHH

Having internet already, I can periodically subscribe to YouTube TV with ease. I like their variety of sports channels. Unlimited DVR storage is a plus. There is no minimum purchase required. You can use for a month, then cancel. I think most of the streaming services mentioned in this thread so far are similar as to no long-term contract.

LittleBit Loc: St. Louis, MO

All you need to get local channels (+) is a good digital antenna. One that receives signals for up to 40 miles.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The "mouse pad" look on this page are similar to mine:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tv+antenna&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

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jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I have a Roku. All you have to do is attach an antenna wire to it to get all the local channels. Invest in a Tablo to go with it and you can also record programs for later viewing.