Ready to break up with your cable provider? Paying too much for channels you don’t watch? Cord-cutting offers consumers the flexibility to pay for the channels they want, without subscribing to those they don’t. While signing up for purely entertainment-based services like Netflix and Disney+ is generally a pretty straightforward process, it can be a little bit more complicated to retain access to local news content after ditching a cable provider. Though all local channels can be picked up by digital HD antennas, direct browser or app streams are available for all major local networks, which each have their own in-house streaming services:
WKMG: News 6 has its own streaming service called News 6+, which streams live newscasts and events, and also shows highlights from News 6 broadcasts in between livestreams. This service can be accessed via browser at clickorlando.com/watch-live and through the Click Orlando app which is available for Apple and Android devices.
WOFL: FOX 35 uses the LiveNOW platform to stream news from Orlando during local news broadcasts. LiveNOW can be accessed via browser at fox35orlando.com/live or through the FOX 35 app. In between local news broadcasts, the stream will feature highlights from the national LiveNOW Fox service. The FOX 35 app supports AirPlay on Apple devices, making it possible to stream
content from this service on compatible devices like Apple TV.
WFTV: Channel 9 has a streaming news hub called WFTV Now that features several channels that include regular newscasts, breaking news, and 24/7 weather. All channels are accessible at wftv.com/video and inside the WFTV News App, which is available on Apple and Android platforms.
WESH: Channel 2 uses NowCast to stream local news broadcasts as they air on TV. In between broadcasts, the NowCast stream will air repeats of the most recent broadcast. This service is available at wesh.com/nowcast and inside the WESH app, which is available on Apple and Android platforms. The WESH app supports AirPlay on Apple devices, making it possible to stream content from this service on compatible devices like Apple TV.
In addition to accessing direct channel streams through apps and websites, select local channels (currently WESH and WFTV) can also be streamed directly to your TV with the NewsON app, which is compatible with Apple, Chromecast, Roku and Amazon streaming devices. More information on this service is available at newson.us.
For those looking for a more structured, all-in-one option that livestreams all content (not just news) from local channels, third-party subscriptions to Hulu with Live TV, fuboTV or YouTube TV work like cable and allow consumers to access full channel streams from networks that users choose individually. Plans that include live local TV options start at $54.99 per month. Sling TV is a less expensive option with plans starting at $30, but this service only includes live local streaming from FOX 35, with no other major local Central Florida channels currently available.