What Are All the TV Channels You Can Stream Directly Without a Full Channel Package?

This year, we’ve seen an explosion in the number of channels bypassing the traditional channel bundle and going direct-to-consumer. While this may be a convenient option if you only watch a handful of channels, it’s usually more expensive than choosing a full channel bundle. In case you want to break free of the bundle, here are all your options.

NBC

If you want to watch your live, local NBC affiliate, that comes included with Peacock Plus Premium. It costs $16.99/month.

Peacock also includes live access to REELZ, ION, and Scripps News, along with several virtual channels including “Peacock Reality,” “Million Dollar Listing,” “Black Cinema,” “The Office,” and “Peacock Romance.”

CBS

Catch all your favorite CBS programming with Paramount+ Premium for $12.99/month. While the ad-supported Paramount+ does include NFL games, the full CBS channel unlocks with the ad-free Premium plan.

FOX and Fox News Channel

A new entry into the direct-to-consumer race is FOX One. This gives you live streaming access to your live, local FOX station, Fox News Channel, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, and more.

CNBC

The leader in business news does offer a direct streaming option for $14.99/month or $149.99/year.

NFL Network and NFL RedZone

Subscribe to NFL+ Premium for $14.99/month and you’ll get the ability to stream NFL Network and NFL RedZone.

ESPN

For the first time ever, ESPN‘s full linear channel is available directly to you, thanks to ESPN Unlimited. It’s not cheap, but neither are those sports rights. You can bundle ESPN Unlimited with Hulu and Disney+ for the same price as ESPN Unlimited alone, so that makes it a better deal.

HBO

If you have HBO Max, you can stream all of HBO’s family of linear channels at no extra cost.

FanDuel Sports Networks

If your local team plays on a FanDuel Sports Network channel, those can be really hard to find. DIRECTV and Fubo are the only live TV streaming services that carry them. Thankfully, you can subscribe to them directly.

REELZ

If you want to watch REELZ live, you can sign up for REELZ+. This gives you access to “On Patrol: Live” and all their other shows.

PBS

The PBS app costs nothing and gives you live access to your local PBS station, presuming it hasn’t been killed off by the Republicans who eliminated the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

PBS Kids

The free PBS Kids streaming service is one of the most popular apps here at Streaming Smarter. If you’ve got a preschooler, it’s the best TV experience you can provide – nearly zero ads and dozens of brain-friendly, socially positive TV shows to help your little humans grow. With the PBS Kids app, you can stream the live channel for free, but the on-demand library is the real star.

AMC, BBC America, IFC

If you’d like to watch these channels, just sign up to AMC+. You’ll also be able to watch Sundance TV, and Shudder TV. These channels are available even on the ad-supported $6.99 plan.

Coming Soon…

CNN

Years after they killed off CNN+, we’re going to get a direct CNN streaming option soon. Company leaders say it should launch in the fall, so expect it any day now.

TNT Sports

TNT and most of its sister networks are splitting away from Warner Bros. Discovery. The soon-to-be-CEO of that new company says a TNT Sports streamer is in the works.

Not the Full Live Channel, But Close

ABC, FX

Almost all of the content from these channels appears on Hulu.

Magnolia Network, TLC, HGTV, Cartoon Network, Investigation Discovery, TCM, Food Network, Discovery, Travel Channel

HBO Max offers nearly everything that airs on these channels, but you won’t see the full, live linear channels where they first air.

Bravo

Peacock hosts Bravo’s shows, but not the live channel.

BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Smithsonian Channel

Watch the hits from these channels with Paramount+.

Important Channels with No Direct Streaming Option

The most important channel without a direct streamer is ABC. Even though it’s owned by Disney and could easily be added to Hulu or Disney+, there is no way to stream ABC without a larger channel package.

There’s also no standalone way to stream important cable channels like MSNBC, TNT, HGTV, TBS, USA Network, FX, and A&E.

The Part Where I Remind You About Antennas

In 2025, everyone should have an antenna. As long as you live somewhat close to your local station, you should be able to pick up a high-definition digital signal. It looks great. It sounds great. And best of all, it’s free. I use an antenna to watch the NFL and live awards shows on the major networks. The thing pays for itself almost immediately.

There’s no need to pay $50/month for the streaming services for CBS, NBC, and FOX when you can watch them for free over the air.