How to Watch NBC for Free on Smart TV? Complete Guide

Looking to watch NBC for free on your Smart TV? Whether you're catching The Voice, Saturday Night Live, or live local news, this guide breaks down all the legitimate ways to stream NBC on your smart TV without paying for cable in 2024.

Can You Watch NBC for Free on Smart TVs?​

Yes, you can watch NBC for free—but how depends on your location and device. Here's a quick overview of your options:

Method	Is It Free?	Devices Supported
Free OTA Antenna	Yes	Any TV with tuner
NBC App (with free episodes)	Partial	Samsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV
Peacock Free Tier	Yes (limited NBC content)	All smart TVs
Local NBC affiliate apps	Sometimes	Roku, Fire TV, Android TV
Free trial of live TV services	Limited-time	All smart TVs
Locast (where available)	Yes (donation-based)	Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV

How to Watch NBC for Free on Smart TV – 5 Proven Methods​

Method 1: Use a Free Over-the-Air (OTA) Antenna​

This is the best and most reliable method if your TV has a tuner.

Steps:​

1. Buy a digital HDTV antenna (under $30).
2. Plug it into your TV’s coaxial port.
3. Go to Settings > Channels > Scan for channels.
4. Once scanned, NBC (and other local channels) will show up in your TV's guide.

Works with Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, and almost all smart TVs with tuners.

Pros: True live broadcast, high quality, no internet needed
Cons: Location-dependent reception

Method 2: Watch NBC via the NBC App (No Cable Required)​

NBC's official app allows free streaming of selected episodes.

How to Watch:​

1. Open your TV’s app store.
2. Search for and install the NBC app.
3. Open the app — you can:
   • Watch select episodes for free.
   • Or log in with a TV provider to unlock full content.

NBC smart TV apps are available on:

• Samsung Smart TV (Tizen OS)
• LG Smart TV (webOS)
• Roku TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• Android TV (Sony, Hisense, TCL)

Some content is completely free; others need a login.

Method 3: Use the Free Tier of Peacock​

Peacock is NBCUniversal’s official streaming service and offers a free plan that includes:

• News clips
• Select shows
• Some live programming (limited)

How to Install:​

1. Go to your smart TV’s app store.
2. Install Peacock.
3. Sign up for a free account (no card needed).
4. Browse NBC shows available on the free tier.

Bonus: Upgrade to Peacock Premium ($5.99/mo) to unlock live NBC in select markets.

Method 4: Try a Free Trial of a Live TV Streaming App​

Several live TV apps offer NBC as part of their lineup, and most come with free trials:

Service	Free Trial	NBC Included?	Monthly Price After Trial
YouTube TV	5-14 days	Yes (most markets)	$72.99
Hulu + Live TV	3-7 days	Yes	$76.99
FuboTV	7 days	Yes	$79.99
DIRECTV Stream	5 days	Yes	$79.99

Great for watching big events (Olympics, NFL, etc.) without commitment.

Steps:​

1. Install the streaming app from your TV's store.
2. Sign up and start your free trial.
3. Watch NBC live via the app’s channel guide.

Method 5: Use Local NBC Affiliate Apps (Where Available)​

Some NBC affiliates like NBC Bay Area, NBC New York, or NBC Chicago have their own apps with:

• Free live news streams
• Weather updates
• Local content

Search your TV’s app store with your city name + NBC to check availability.

Bonus Tip: Cast NBC Content from Your Phone to Your Smart TV​

If your smart TV doesn't support these apps:

1. Install NBC, Peacock, or YouTube TV app on your phone.
2. Tap the Cast icon (for Chromecast/Android TVs) or use AirPlay (iPhones).
3. Select your TV and start streaming.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Q: Can I get NBC with no antenna and no cable?​

A: Yes. Use the NBC app, Peacock free, or a free trial of YouTube TV, Hulu Live, or Fubo.

Q: Is Peacock the same as NBC?​

A: Not exactly. Peacock is a streaming service from NBCUniversal. Some NBC shows appear there, but not all live local content.

Q: Will NBC be available on all smart TVs?​

A: Most modern TVs (Samsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV, Android TV) support NBC or Peacock. If not, use casting or a streaming stick.

Final Thoughts: What's the Best Way to Watch NBC for Free?​

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

You Want…	Use This
Free live NBC (forever)	HDTV antenna
Free on-demand shows	NBC app or Peacock
Live NBC without cable (temporarily)	YouTube TV or FuboTV free trial
News and weather from your city	Local NBC affiliate app

So yes—you absolutely can watch NBC for free on Smart TVs in 2024. Choose the method that best fits your setup, and you’re good to go.