How to Watch NBC Without Cable in 2024

Along with ABC, CBS, and Fox, NBC is one of the major networks and a primary reason many people still subscribe to cable. However, there are ways to watch NBC and its hit shows, such as Friends, Saturday Night Live, and The Office, without cable. For starters, NBC has always been available over the air with an antenna. But if you’d rather avoid the hassle of comparing and installing antennas, you can also watch the channel over the internet. Read on, and we’ll show you how.

How to Watch NBC Online Without Cable

Watching NBC over the internet is possible via live TV streaming services. They allow you to stream content to a variety of devices, including TVs, mobile phones, and computers, without the need for long-term commitments. Actually, you can even opt for a one-month subscription if that’s all you need. Getting started with watching NBC via a live TV service is easy: select a service, subscribe, and hit the ‘play’ button. Now, let’s delve into the services that carry NBC.

Fubo has a history as a soccer-only live TV streaming service but has since evolved into much more. Its base packages – Pro, Elite, and Premier – all provide access to the major networks: ABC, CBS, Fox, and most importantly, NBC. Additionally, Fubo offers 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record and watch content at your convenience.

Originally an on-demand video streaming service, Hulu has since expanded its horizons with Hulu + Live TV. Today, you can watch on-demand content and live TV – including all the major networks – conveniently with one subscription. Furthermore, Hulu comes with unlimited cloud DVR storage.

Launched by NBCUniversal, Peacock offers a mix of new and classic TV shows, coupled with compelling original content. It doesn’t offer a continuous NBC live stream, but you can still catch live sports events and news updates as well as enjoy early access to late-night shows. Peacock’s subscription model means there’s a level of access for every budget.

Sling TV is one of the earliest live TV streaming services and one of the best ways to watch NBC without cable. NBC is included in Sling TV’s Blue package for subscribers who reside in the right Designated Market Area (DMA), a region usually centered around a large city that determines the programming one receives. If you are located in one of the following DMAs, you can watch NBC on Sling TV: Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Hartford/New Haven, Los Angeles, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, or Washington, DC. Sling TV provides 50 hours of cloud DVR storage, with the option to purchase more.

You can also watch the major networks on YouTube – that is, on YouTube TV, Google’s live TV streaming service. YouTube TV costs $72.99 a month and offers more than 100 channels as well as YouTube Premium’s original programming. Like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV also comes with unlimited cloud DVR storage for recording content.

Can I Watch NBC on Apple TV, Fire TV, Google TV, or Roku?

Absolutely! Whether you’re using Apple TV, Fire TV, Google TV (including Chromecast), Roku, or an Android or iOS mobile device, you can watch NBC via any of the mentioned streaming services.

See below for a more detailed rundown of platform support.

Platform Support

Android
Apple TV
Fire TV
Google TV
iOS
Roku

What to Watch on NBC

Here’s a glance at some of NBC's most iconic shows:

• Friends – Set in New York City, this iconic sitcom follows six close-knit friends – Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe – as they navigate through life's ups and downs in their 20s and 30s.
• Law & Order: SVU – As the longest-running series in the Law & Order franchise, SVU revolves around the dedicated detectives of the Special Victims Unit who confront New York City’s most harrowing and complex crimes.
• Saturday Night Live – An enduring staple of American television since 1975, this sketch comedy and variety show offers a satirical take on contemporary culture, politics, and more, with a revolving door of guest hosts and musical performers.
• The Office – A mockumentary-style sitcom set in the Scranton, PA branch of the Dunder Mifflin paper company, this show humorously highlights the daily lives, romantic entanglements, and quirky personalities of its employees.
• This Is Us – Interweaving past and present, this multigenerational drama delves into the Pearson family’s deep-seated emotions, relationships, and life-altering moments.