How to watch NBC live on Roku
By Tara K • Published Aug 05, 2022
A few reasons why cable-cutters love Roku? You save hundreds of dollars a year on cable bills, you can easily navigate through all your streaming service subscriptions at once, and you can watch NBC live on Roku, as well as just about every other major broadcast network and cable channel… for free!
If you’re looking for ways to watch NBC live on Roku devices, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll go through how you can watch NBC live on Roku using an over-the-air antenna, Sling TV, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
Is NBC available in your area?
NBC is a broadcast network, meaning that unlike cable channels, most local NBC channels are independently owned and operated. With broadcast networks, each streaming service must negotiate with each affiliate owner independently for their channels to appear on the service lineup.
Why does this matter to you? You may find that NBC is available in your area on one streaming service, yet not another. NBC may not even be available in your area at all.
If you want to find out if you can get NBC in your area, you’ve got a couple of options. You can either contact your local affiliate, or you can sign up for free trials of Sling TV, fuboTV, or YouTube TV and try it out firsthand before paying a dime.
How to watch NBC live on Roku using an OTA antenna
Got a digital antenna? Then you may be able to watch NBC for free. All you need to do is buy an antenna, set it up, plug it directly into your Roku, and watch all of your favorite local channels right from your Roku device.
If you want to learn more, read this article from Roku.
Want to know what other channels you can get for free with an OTA antenna? Check out this article.
How to watch NBC live on Roku using Sling TV
Sling TV, also known as the a-la-carte option in the streaming service world, is a great option for viewers who enjoy customizability when it comes to their content. Sling TV offers viewers 3 different plans to choose from, with the option to add channel bundles or individual channels to their plan for small additional fees.
To watch NBC using Sling TV, you’ll either need Sling Blue or Sling Blue + Orange. Sling Blue comes with FOX and NBC in select markets, Bravo, Discovery, E!, and more. If you get Sling Blue + Orange, you get a handful of other channels including Disney and ESPN.
If you want to make sure you can access NBC in your area using Sling TV, use this handy tool from Sling.
Sling is available for Roku, and you can download it directly from the Channel Store here. When it comes to simultaneous streaming, you’ll be able to watch on up to 3 devices at once with Sling Blue, and up to 4 devices at once with Sling Blue + Orange.
Want to see if Sling TV is the right fit for you? Take advantage of their week-long free trial and try the service yourself for free now!
How to watch NBC live on Roku using fuboTV
Initially a sports-centric streaming service, fuboTV has grown to include a ton of news, entertainment, and family programming to appeal to viewers of all tastes. To get NBC on fuboTV, all you need is the cheapest fubo package. With the basic plan, you’ll also get CBS, ABC and Fox, as well as over 100 other channels including CNN, CNBC, Disney, ESPN and more.
You can use this handy tool from fuboTV to check and see if you get NBC in your area. You can download fuboTV directly from the Roku store.
As far as simultaneous streaming goes, you can watch fuboTV on up to 3 devices at once with the Starter package. If you’d like to watch NBC live on Roku with fuboTV, you’re in luck: currently, you can try it for free for 7 days before taking the full plunge.
How to watch NBC live on Roku using Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is an excellent option for watching NBC live on Roku. With great features like unlimited DVR, tons of live sports, and access to its repertoire of award-winning TV shows, it makes a perfect cable replacement.
The only downfall is that you can only watch on 2 screens at once, so if you were planning to share your membership with more than one person, you could end up playing screen wars. That said, you can always upgrade to an additional unlimited screens for $9.99/month.
Hulu + Live TV only offers one plan, which comes with over 75 channels, including NBC, CBS, ABC, BTN, FOX, FS1, CBS, and ESPN. To see if NBC is offered in your area, check out the Hulu + Live TV website, scroll down and click on “View channels in your area”.
How to watch NBC live on Roku using YouTube TV
YouTube TV carries tons of broadcast networks and regional sports networks, depending on your area. From ABC, to CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN and other popular cable networks, YouTube TV has it all.
The streaming service offers two different plans: an English plan and a Spanish one. With the English plan, you get over 85+ channels (depending on your area), the ability to create up to 6 different user profiles, and 3 simultaneous streams.
To find out if you can get NBC in your area, head on over to the YouTube TV website, and enter your ZIP code when prompted. This will provide you with a complete overview of all the channels available to you, including locals and regional sports networks (RSNs).
YouTube TV has a Roku app you can easily download and use to start watching. The streaming service offers a 7-day free trial, so try it out and see if it’s the right fit for you.
Tara K
Tara Khudairi is a freelance content writer and copywriter based in Toronto. Since 2014, she has contributed to brands and blogs alike to tackle popular topics relating to technology, personal finance, entertainment, travel and lifestyle. Whether it’s the latest streaming service or cryptocurrency, she’s passionate about making the complex simple. When she’s not busy typing away, you’ll find Tara watching Netflix’s latest true crime doc or a classic 90’s horror flick.