Watch Cable Channels Without Cable
Six channel guides name the services that carry ESPN, TNT, ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, the plan you need, and the verified price.
We may earn commissions from providers featured here. Compensation can affect placement. Affiliate Disclosure
Channel carriage at a glance
Cable channels are national; broadcast networks depend on your local affiliate and ZIP code.
| Channel | Carried by | Not carried by | Direct option |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | Sling Orange, DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Fubo Pro, Hulu + Live TV | Sling Blue | ESPN Unlimited (ESPN app) |
| TNT | Sling Orange or Blue, DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV | Fubo | HBO Max for TNT Sports events only |
| ABC | Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV (most markets); Sling Blue (few metros) | Sling Orange | Hulu next-day shows; ESPN app for ESPN-produced games |
| CBS | Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV (most markets) | Sling TV (any plan) | Paramount+ Premium (live local CBS) |
| NBC | Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV (most markets); Sling Blue (few metros) | Sling Orange | Peacock for NBC sports and shows; live feed unconfirmed |
| FOX | Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV (most markets); Sling Blue (few metros) | Sling Orange | None among ranked services; antenna |
Carriage verified Oct 12, 2026 against docs/research/channel-sports-availability.md. Re-check by 2027-01-10. "Most markets" and "few metros" mean availability depends on your ZIP code.
Channel guides
Two cable sports networks and the four broadcast networks.
Cable sports
ESPN without cable
- All five live TV services, from Sling Orange at $45.99/mo
- ESPN Unlimited is the direct app option
- Which plans add ESPNU and SEC Network
Cable sports and entertainment
TNT without cable
- Base plan on Sling, DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
- Fubo does not carry TNT at all
- NBA games are no longer on TNT; NHL and French Open also on HBO Max
Broadcast network
ABC without cable
- Four services in most markets; Sling Blue in a few metros
- Next-day ABC shows on Hulu
- ESPN-produced ABC games stream in the ESPN app
Broadcast network
CBS without cable
- Paramount+ Premium streams local CBS in supported markets
- Four live TV services in most markets; none on Sling
- NFL on CBS, March Madness, CBS Sports Network
Broadcast network
NBC without cable
- Back on Fubo since June 2026; four services plus Sling Blue in select markets
- Peacock's role and the USA and Golf Channel spin-off
- Which service has the most NBC-family channels
Broadcast network
FOX without cable
- No on-demand twin among ranked services; bundle or antenna
- Four services in most markets; Sling Blue in a few
- FOX vs. FS1 and FS2; Sunday NFL and MLB postseason
Key facts
- Cable channels (ESPN, TNT) are the same in every ZIP code.
- Broadcast networks are always "select markets"; check your ZIP code.
- Sling Orange has no locals; Sling has no CBS anywhere.
- Fubo is the only ranked live TV service without TNT.
- Prices come from our provider database, never typed in.
How we decide whether a service "carries" a channel
- Every carriage statement comes from
docs/research/channel-sports-availability.md, a snapshot verified Oct 12, 2026, recording each channel on each service as in the base plan, not carried, select markets, or add-on. - We publish only the first three as facts and label select-markets and add-on carriage exactly that way.
- Where research could not confirm something (which Fubo tier carries ESPNU, whether Peacock streams a live local NBC feed) the page says so instead of guessing.
- Every page carries a re-check date of 2027-01-10, because carriage deals and blackouts change.
- Prices are rendered from our provider database, which stores a verification date and source for each figure. Ranking order: services with the channel in a base plan first, then by cheapest qualifying plan. See how we rank and the editorial policy.
We may earn commissions from providers featured here. Compensation can affect placement. Affiliate Disclosure