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Here’s How to Watch Your Favorite NBC Shows (Even if You’ve Cut the Cord)
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We’ve all been there at one point or the other: You’ve cut your cable TV (or never even had it in the first place), but you still want to watch a game or an awards show on a local channel like NBC. If you’re not sure how to pull off this streaming feat, we’ve got some great news for you: It’s easier than ever to watch everything from Saturday Night Live to New Year’s Eve coverage online thanks to a few live TV streaming services.
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At a Glance: How to Watch NBC Online
Stream: DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, Peacock
get free trial at directv stream
So if you’re not sure where to start, here’s a quick guide to help you watch NBC online right now (plus a couple of streaming service options that offer free trials).
How to Watch NBC Online Without Cable
If you’ve said farewell to your cable TV, here’s where you can stream NBC online:
DirecTV Stream
One of our top recommendations for watching local channels like NBC without cable is DirecTV Stream. The all-inclusive streamer starts at $86.99 a month, but you get a five-day free trial to start.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV comes with everything on Hulu, plus Disney+ and ESPN+. But what really sets it apart is that it makes it possible to tune into live TV, from sports to shows, even if you don’t have cable. Viewers can watch local channels like NBC with the ad-supported package, which starts at $82.99 a month. New subscribers can even get a three-day free trial before paying for the monthly subscription fee.
BEST FOR SPORTS
Fubo
Whether you’re trying to watch live sports or an NBC show without cable, you can still get the channel with a streaming service like Fubo. Subscriptions cost $79.99 a month, but the streamer is currently offering your first month for only $44.99.
Sling
Cord-cutters can also watch NBC live with a subscription to Sling. The streamer’s Blue plan starts at $46 a month and includes access to the channel for those who don’t have cable. The package comes with 46 channels. Plus, Sling is running a deal right now that gets you 50% off your first month.
Peacock
Some NBC shows — from Law & Order to La Brea — air on NBC and also stream on Peacock, the network’s streaming service. Peacock also gives viewers access to stream episodes of shows like The Office, Parks & Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, 30 Rock, Young Rock, America’s Got Talent, and Chicago Fire, to name a few. Subscriptions start at $7.99 a month for Peacock Premium, which also comes with streaming access to Bravo shows. The ad-free Peacock Premium Plus, meantime, costs $13.99 a month to subscribe.
BONUS OPTION
Digital TV Antenna
$36.99 $52.99 30% off
Another easy way to get access to NBC without paying for traditional cable is with a digital TV antenna, like this pick on Amazon. It lets you tune into local networks, including NBC, right at home.
Can You Stream NBC Free Online?
Yes. Cord-cutters can livestream NBC with free trials to DirecTV Stream or Hulu + Live TV before committing to a subscription.
What Can You Watch on NBC?
There’s a little bit of everything to watch and stream on NBC right now, from live sports to sitcoms and late-night TV shows. That includes Late Night With Seth Meyers, plus new episodes of Saturday Night Live, Dateline, and news shows like Meet the Press. There are also plenty of series to tune into on a recurring basis, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Chicago P.D., Night Court, and Magnum P.I.
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