Disclosure: Your support helps keep our site running! We earn referral fees for some of the products & services we recommend. Learn more

ABC: How to Watch for Free + Every Streaming Service Plan Compared

Last Updated:

If you’re looking for ways to watch ABC without cable, all you need is an internet connection and a supported device. This can be a smart TV or one of these devices supported by your chosen streaming provider. We explain everything you need to know below.

In a hurry? Want access to your local ABC channel now, without reading too much? These services all provide cheaper access than the average cable subscription:

  • Fubo: With 150+ channels, it offers something for everyone. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.
  • DIRECTV STREAM: Makes it easy to switch from cable to streaming with their 75+ channel Entertainment plan and options for much more. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
  • Hulu + Live TV: This total entertainment streaming service provides a great on-demand selection and all the essential live TV channels.

If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, try ExpressVPN to get access to the content you deserve.

In a hurry? Unfortunately, we don’t know a streaming service in that offers this TV channel/sport. But if you’ve already paid for the right service, and just can’t watch because of your location, there is an easy way to get the sports, movies, and TV you deserve. You need a VPN, like one of the following.

ExpressVPN

1. ExpressVPN: Established VPN provider in 105 countries. Smart DNS, a built-in ad-blocker, and unlimited bandwidth. Try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Private Internet Access

3. Private Internet Access: The only no-logs VPN with a location for every US state. Get 82% off + 2 months free.

If you’re overwhelmed and not sure where to begin, you’ll find all the answers in our full VPN guide.

How to Watch ABC Live Without Cable TV

ABC television network is home to numerous award-winning entertainment, sports, and news shows. It was established in 1948 and has been a leader in broadcast television since then.

ABC is an over-the-air network. This means it is distributed through local affiliate channels that produce their own content as well as airing ABC-provided shows and events.

So, you will get local content like afternoon talk shows and local news programs. You will also get network TV shows like ABC World News Tonight and The Bachelorette.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

Ways to Get ABC

The cheapest way to get ABC is to set up an antenna and watch it for free over the air (OTA). This will work everywhere except for very remote areas and places where there isn’t an ABC affiliate.

It is probably easier to get ABC through a streaming service — especially if you need one anyway for your overall channel selection. Most bigger, full cable replacement services provide ABC in their channel lineups.

These are pretty much the only options open to you if you want to get rid of your cable/satellite bill. There is, however, a hybrid approach that we will discuss below with Sling TV.

Unblock Your Favorite Movies and Shows With a VPN

If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, a VPN will allow you to get the access you are entitled to, plus extra security and unequalled privacy. Check out our VPN Guide for everything you need to know, including our top pick ExpressVPN.

Get ExpressVPN Today

Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.

Get ABC With Streaming Services

There are plenty of streaming services available, but not all of them may have ABC. Here’s a list of those that do.

Fubo

fubotv logo
Local ChannelsABC, CBS, Fox, NBC
Disney ChannelsBase, XD, Junior
Related ChannelsESPN, Freeform, FX, FXX
Total Channels150+
Cloud DVR1000 hours
Simultaneous Streams10
Free Trial
FuboTV Price$79.99/mo

Fubo (formerly FuboTV) is renowned for its vast sports coverage. Of its 150+ channels, 35+ are sports-oriented. ABC and all the other networks are included with its base plan for $79.99/mo.

It also includes several Disney and most of the FX channels. The only one it is missing is FX Movies (FXM), which is available with the Fubo Extra add-on for $7.99/mo.

See the following for more information about FuboTV:

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

FuboTV ABC on Android
Fubo running on an Android phone.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM
Local ChannelsABC, CBS, Fox, NBC
Disney ChannelsBase, XD, Junior
Related ChannelsESPN, Freeform, FX, FXX
Total Channels75+
Cloud DVR**Unlimited cloud DVR
Simultaneous ScreensUnlimited
Free Trial*
DIRECTV STREAM Price$79.99/mo
* A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM
** online sign up required

Through the DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) entertainment bundle, you can live stream ABC for $79.99/mo. This includes 75+ other channels including all the local stations.

Also included are all the Disney and related channels except for FXM. If you want that, you will need to upgrade to the Ultimate plan, which costs $119.99/mo and offers 130+ channels including HBO MAX for the first year.

See our DIRECTV STREAM review for more details.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free for 5 Days

Hulu + Live TV

hulu logo
Local ChannelsABC, CBS, Fox, NBC
Disney ChannelsBase, XD, Junior
Related ChannelsESPN, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX
Total Channels85+
Cloud DVRUnlimited (9 months of storage)
Simultaneous Screens2
Free Trial
Hulu Price$76.99/mo

Hulu + Live TV is the most popular live TV streaming service. It provides arguably the best on-demand library with a collection of 85+ live channels for a great overall service. And it adds ESPN+ and Disney+!

Included in their live TV selection are all the local, Disney, and related channels. If you are interested in ABC and its associated channels, Hulu Live TV is hard to beat.

For more information about Hulu + Live TV, see the following articles:

Try Hulu + Live TV Today!

Sling TV

Sling TV Logo
Local ChannelsABC, Fox, NBC
Disney ChannelsBase
Related ChannelsESPN, Freeform, FX
Total Channels50+
Cloud DVR50 hours
Simultaneous Screens4
Free Trial
Sling TV Price$45.00/mo

Sling TV offers ABC in select markets as part of its Blue plan. But even if you aren’t in one of those markets, they still offer it! If you sign up for two months of Sling, they will send you an indoor antenna. In most areas, this will allow you to get HD OTA access to ABC as well as CBS, Fox, and NBC. Best of all: the Sling TV interface will include these channels in your channel guide!

The combination Sling Orange and Sling Blue plan costs $55.00/mo and also provides Disney Channel, Freeform, and FX. It also includes ESPN3, which provides everything on ABC Sports.

In some areas, you can stream ABC directly as we discuss in our NFL Draft guide.

For more information on Sling TV, see:

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

Vidgo

vidgo logo
Local ChannelsABC, Fox
Disney ChannelsBase, XD, Junior
Related ChannelsESPN, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX
Total Channels100+
Cloud DVR
Simultaneous Screens3
Free Trial
Vidgo Price$69.99/mo

Vidgo is a low-cost streaming option for ABC. It doesn’t feature a lot of bells and whistles, but it provides 100+ channels for only $69.99/mo. This includes ABC and all the ancillary channels.

The price you pay for the low cost is the absence of CBS and NBC. What’s more, it offers no NBCUniversal channels: Bravo, CNBC, E!, MSNBC, Oxygen, SYFY, Universal Kids, USA. But if you can live without those, Vidgo is a great deal.

For more information, see the following:

Try Vidgo Today!

Vidgo ABC
Vidgo’s TV guide via the web interface.

Other Ways to Get ABC

There are other ways to get ABC without cable:

  • Antenna: This is the one way to get ABC for free. You can do this alone but this will require its own interface. This is why we prefer Sling TV’s system.
  • YouTube TV: This full cable replacement service offers ABC in most areas and all the related channels.
  • ABC App: In order to watch live TV with this app, you will need to have an account with a cable TV provider or streaming service that uses TV Everywhere. But this is handy to have.

TVs and Mobile Devices for ABC

Now that you’re familiar with streaming services for ABC, let’s take a look at supported devices where you can watch ABC online.

Fubo Devices

  • Smart TVs: Hisense, LG TV, Samsung, Android TV
  • Streaming Media Players: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast
  • Browsers: Most
  • Mobile devices: iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android
  • Game Consoles: Xbox One.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

Hulu + Live TV Devices

  • Smart TVs: LG TV, Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Android TV
  • Streaming Media Players: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast
  • Browsers: Most
  • Mobile devices: iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android
  • Game Consoles: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch.

Vidgo Devices

  • Smart TVs: Android TV
  • Streaming Media Players: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku
  • Browsers: Most
  • Mobile devices: iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android.

DIRECTV STREAM Devices

  • Smart TVs: Android TV, Samsung
  • Streaming Media Players: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast
  • Browsers: Most
  • Mobile devices: iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android.

Sling TV Devices

  • Smart TVs: LG TV, Samsung, Android TV
  • Streaming Media Players: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast
  • Browsers: Most
  • Mobile devices: iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android.
  • Game Consoles: Oculus, Xbox.

Superpower Your Live TV Streaming With a VPN

You can’t beat a VPN for privacy, security, and access. We have used them for years as an important part of our streaming toolkit and we recommend ExpressVPN. Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.

i See our VPN Buyer’s Guide for complete information on how to choose the best VPN for your needs.

Today’s ABC Schedule

Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:

Best of Localish

Exploring amazing communities around the United States.

Pumped

Uncovering the latest and greatest fitness trends across America.

On the Red Carpet Celebrates Earth Month

Films from Disney, Nature, Nat Geo and more; what Hollywood is doing to protect, restore and celebrate the planet.

Sports Stars of Tomorrow

Profiles of the top rookie, college and high-school talent in sports; current athletes share their experiences, advice and personal impressions of the road to stardom.

Eyewitness News This Morning

News coverage to start the day.

Good Morning America

Up-to-the-minute news, weather, lifestyle and topical features.

Eyewitness News This Morning

News coverage to start the day.

Good Morning America

Deals and Steals with Tory Johnson.

Wildlife Nation With Jeff CorwinConservation Odyssey

Protecting wildlife across Florida's diverse landscapes; a dog training program at the University of Florida; revitalizing coral reefs; the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians work to preserve Florida's rich biodiversity.

oh baby!From the Forest to the Frontier

Animals that live in the trees, grasses, and open plains.

Hearts of HeroesMountains of Courage

A skier tries to rescue a snowboarder who is in trouble; first responders must join forces to try and save an injured hiker who is trapped at the peak of a 3,500-foot mountain.

United Football LeagueMemphis Showboats at St. Louis BattleHawks

The Battlehawks (2-1) host the Showboats (1-2) for a Week 4 showdown. Quarterback A.J. McCarron passed for one touchdown and rushed for another in the first quarter as St. Louis rolled to a second straight win, 31-24, over San Antonio on April 14.

NCAA Women's College Gymnastics Championship Preshow

Preview the upcoming NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship. From Fort Worth, Texas.

Women's College GymnasticsNCAA Championship, Finals

National titles will be won at the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship. From Fort Worth, Texas.

Eyewitness News at 6

ABC World News Tonight With David Muir

The latest news from America, as reported by the ABC television network.

Localish Life

Highlighting great food, great shopping and great people.

Wheel of FortuneGreat American Cities

In a classic game-show version of "Hangman," contestants solve word puzzles for cash and prizes.

NBA Countdown

Bold opinions, discussion and debate centered on the top storylines from around the league. Mike Greenberg hosts this pregame show with analysts Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon.

NBA BasketballLos Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets

LeBron James and the Lakers visit Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round set. Denver has won eight straight meetings, including all three this season and a sweep of Los Angeles in last year's conference finals.

Eyewitness News at 11

Breaking news.

9-1-1Under Pressure

On one of the hottest days of the year, the first responders must deal with harrowing incidents all around the city; Buck gets a surprise visit from his sister; Athena questions her relationship with Bobby; Buck worries about a handsome new hire.

9-1-1Awful People

Maddie goes on a ride-along with Athena; Hen must figure out how to save her family from permanently falling apart; the first responders deal with emergencies both at a military funeral and a movie theater.

Fast: Home RescueArtist Retreat

Tre and Cierra Boston rebuild the Brown family house in New Orleans after it's wrecked by Hurricane Ida; with five days to pull it off, they transform the property into an Artist Retreat themed home.

Gospel Music

Christopher Ervin & Abraham's Descendants; Dee McGhee; Zak Williams & 1Akord; April Hall; Legacy 5; the Wardlaw Brothers; For the Soul; Gregory D & Company; John Lee Hooker Jr. Tamika Patton.

Jeopardy!

The Emmy-winning quiz show features a unique answer-and-question format.

Wrapping Up

ABC is a great channel to catch up on the news, sports, entertainment, award shows, and so much more!

FuboTV is our recommended choice to watch ABC. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.

How to Watch Other Local Channels Online without Cable

Want to get information on how to watch other local channels without cable? Check out the guides below.

FAQs

What TV shows can I watch on ABC?

ABC offers a huge variety of content including award shows like The Oscars, the Country Music Awards, and The American Music Awards. Some of its most popular shows are:

  • The Bachelorette
  • Black-ish
  • Dancing with the Stars
  • The Goldbergs
  • The Good Doctor
  • Good Morning America
  • Grey’s Anatomy
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live
  • Shark Tank
  • The View.

Where can I watch ABC shows?

Since ABC is a broadcast network, it is literally in the air for you to watch for free. You just need to hook up an antenna to your TV to watch. If you don’t want to bother with that, you can watch ABC via most of the major live TV streaming services. You can also watch ABC shows on demand through services like Hulu.

Can I access the ABC website and app if I’m outside the US?

You cannot access abc.com or the ABC app if you’re not physically present inside the US or its territories, including Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Island, and American Samoa. You may still be able to watch ABC content (but not live streams) from different providers.

How can I watch ABC if I don’t have a TV provider for it?

Unless you live in the market of an ABC affiliate, you can’t get access to its live feed. However, you do have options. One is that ABC provides access to many of its shows on its website 8 days after they air. You can also find shows through on-demand services like Hulu.

When it comes to ABC Sports, you can watch virtually every event live via ESPN3. You can watch it via the ESPN app as long as you have a TV provider that includes ESPN. It is simpler is to sign up with Sling TV, which provides ESPN3 in its Sling Orange plan.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

When is the next NFL game on ABC?

ABC airs many Monday Night NFL games and some NFL playoff games. Here is the upcoming game:

  • : Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

How can I watch other news channels besides ABC?

Here are our guides for watching other news channels:

Ditch “Big Cable” Now – 3 Simple Steps to Cut the Cord

  1. Pick the right streaming service
  2. Get the content you deserve with the best VPN.
  3. Supercharge your internet provider

That’s it — you’ll save money, take back control, and enjoy TV more!

Page Updates

  1. Updated some sub-sections. Updated some section headings. Image changes.

  2. Updated some sub-sections. Image changes. Added some more links.

  3. Mentioned offers. Cross linking. Various changes.

  4. Added buttons for streaming services. Added VPN info. Image changes. Pricing updates. Misc changes.

  5. Mentioned channel info. Added info about guide. Added sub-section. Updated some sub-sections. Pricing updates. Image changes. Cleaned up list.

  6. Added sub-section. Pricing updates. Image changes. Added some more links.

  7. Added links to streaming services. Updated some sub-sections. Updated some section headings. Pricing updates.

  8. Updated some sub-sections. Pricing updates. Image changes. Cleaned up list.

  9. Changed some content in main section. Reworked one section.

Frank Moraes
Follow me

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap