Looking for an NBC live stream? As one of America’s oldest broadcast networks, NBC delivers prime time entertainment, Sunday Night Football, the Olympics, and breaking news to millions of viewers. From The Tonight Show to NFL games, streaming NBC live gives you access to some of television’s most popular content.
This comprehensive guide walks you through every method to watch NBC online, whether you want free options or full streaming service packages.
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About NBC – Legends in Broadcasting
The National Broadcasting Company, universally known as NBC, holds the distinction of being America’s oldest major broadcast network. RCA founded NBC in 1926 as a radio network, and it launched television operations in 1939 with experimental broadcasts before going commercial in 1941. The network’s iconic peacock logo, introduced in 1956 to promote color television, remains one of the most recognized symbols in American media.
Comcast acquired NBC through its purchase of NBCUniversal in 2011, bringing the network under the same corporate umbrella as Universal Pictures, Telemundo, and the Peacock streaming service. This ownership structure gives NBC significant advantages in sports rights, with the network serving as home to Sunday Night Football (the most-watched program on television), the Olympics, and Premier League soccer.
NBC operates through a network of over 200 local affiliate stations nationwide. In major markets like New York (WNBC), Los Angeles (KNBC), and Chicago (WMAQ), NBCUniversal owns the stations directly. Smaller markets rely on independently owned affiliates that carry NBC programming.
NBC Programming Highlights
NBC’s programming spans entertainment, sports, and news with some of television’s most iconic franchises and highest-rated broadcasts.
Prime Time Entertainment
NBC’s prime time lineup features long-running hits and newer series across multiple genres. The network dominates the procedural drama space with the Law & Order franchise (now including Law & Order, SVU, and Organized Crime), the Chicago franchise (Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Med), and the FBI franchise. Reality competition shows like The Voice and America’s Got Talent consistently rank among the most-watched non-sports programs on television.
Late night programming remains an NBC cornerstone, with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers carrying on a tradition that dates back to Steve Allen in 1954 and includes legendary hosts like Johnny Carson and Jay Leno.
Sports Coverage
NBC Sports delivers some of television’s most prestigious sporting events. Sunday Night Football regularly finishes as the most-watched show of the entire television season, drawing 20+ million viewers weekly. The network also broadcasts Notre Dame football, the Indianapolis 500, the Kentucky Derby, Premier League soccer, and extensive golf coverage including majors.
NBC serves as the exclusive U.S. broadcast home for the Olympic Games, holding rights through 2032. Olympic coverage spans NBC broadcast, USA Network, and the Peacock streaming platform.
Starting in 2026, NBC will broadcast NBA games on Sunday nights as part of a new rights deal, adding basketball to its sports portfolio.
News Programming
NBC News provides comprehensive coverage through flagship programs including TODAY (weekday mornings since 1952), NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (evenings), Meet the Press (Sunday political analysis, the longest-running show in TV history), and Dateline NBC (newsmagazine). NBC News NOW offers 24/7 streaming news coverage free on multiple platforms.
How To Watch NBC Live Stream Free
Several options exist for watching NBC without a paid subscription.
NBC.com and NBC App
Visit NBC.com/live or download the NBC app to access your local NBC station. In most cases, you’ll need to sign in with a TV provider to watch the live feed. Some content and clips are available without authentication.
The NBC app is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and most smart TV platforms.
Over-the-Air Antenna
NBC broadcasts free over the airwaves in every U.S. market. A digital antenna picks up your local NBC affiliate in full HD (and sometimes 4K for special events) without any subscription. Modern indoor antennas work effectively within 30-50 miles of broadcast towers, making this the most reliable completely free option for NBC access.
Peacock Free Tier
Peacock’s free tier provides access to select NBC content, including NBC News NOW (24/7 live news), some current season episodes, and a library of classic NBC shows. However, the free tier does not include live local NBC station access, Sunday Night Football, or most premium content.
NBC News NOW (Free 24/7 News)
NBC News NOW streams free 24/7 through Peacock (free tier), the NBC News app, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and various other FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) platforms. This provides breaking news coverage without any subscription.
NBC on Peacock
Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, offers the most direct route to NBC content online.
Peacock Premium ($10.99/month)
Peacock Premium includes live sports that air on NBC (Sunday Night Football, Premier League, Olympics), next-day access to current NBC shows, and the full Peacock library. However, Premium does not include your local NBC station’s live 24/7 feed.
Peacock Premium Plus ($17.99/month)
Premium Plus adds your local NBC station’s live 24/7 feed, allowing you to watch everything from TODAY to local news to prime time programming live. This tier also removes most ads and enables offline downloads. For true NBC live streaming without cable, this represents the most affordable dedicated option.
NBC on Live TV Streaming Services
For NBC bundled with dozens of other channels, these streaming services include your local NBC station.
YouTube TV ($82.99/month)
YouTube TV carries NBC in virtually every market along with 100+ other channels. The service includes unlimited DVR storage, three simultaneous streams, and a polished interface. YouTube TV ranks as the most recommended cable replacement for overall reliability and channel selection.
Hulu + Live TV ($89.99/month)
Hulu’s live TV tier includes NBC with 90+ channels, plus full access to the Hulu on-demand library and bundled Disney+ and ESPN+. The unlimited DVR stores recordings for nine months, and you can stream on two devices simultaneously.
DirecTV Stream ($84.99/month)
DirecTV Stream’s Entertainment tier includes NBC with 75+ channels and provides the most comprehensive local channel coverage of any streaming platform. The service bundles Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ with subscriptions, adding considerable value for sports fans.
Sling TV (Blue Plan – $45.99/month)
Sling TV’s Blue plan includes NBC in select markets. Local channel availability varies significantly by location, so check Sling’s website with your zip code before subscribing. Where available, this represents the most affordable live TV streaming option for NBC access.
Fubo – NBC Currently Unavailable
As of late 2025, Fubo does not carry NBCUniversal channels including local NBC affiliates due to a carriage dispute. This means no Sunday Night Football, no NBC prime time, and no local NBC news on Fubo until a new agreement is reached.
Streaming Service Comparison for NBC
| Service | Monthly Price | NBC Included | DVR | Streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antenna | Free (one-time cost) | Yes | No | N/A |
| Peacock Premium | $10.99 | Sports only | No | 3 |
| Peacock Premium Plus | $17.99 | Yes (local feed) | No | 3 |
| Sling Blue | $45.99 | Select markets | 50 hours | 3 |
| YouTube TV | $82.99 | Yes | Unlimited | 3 |
| DirecTV Stream | $84.99 | Yes | Unlimited | 3 |
| Hulu + Live TV | $89.99 | Yes | Unlimited | 2 |
How To Watch Sunday Night Football
Sunday Night Football represents NBC’s crown jewel and the most-watched show on television. Here’s how to stream it:
- Peacock: All SNF games stream live on Peacock (Premium or Premium Plus required)
- NBC Sports App: Stream with TV provider login
- Live TV Services: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream all carry NBC
- Antenna: Free over-the-air broadcast in all markets
Peacock also streams exclusive games throughout the season that don’t air on broadcast NBC.
NBC On-Demand Streaming
If you don’t need live NBC but want access to NBC shows:
Peacock
Peacock offers next-day access to most current NBC shows with a Premium subscription ($10.99/month). The platform also hosts the complete libraries of classic NBC series like The Office, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, and many others.
Hulu
Standard Hulu ($9.99/month with ads) carries next-day episodes of select NBC shows, though the NBC library has largely migrated to Peacock.
Device Compatibility
Watch NBC across all major platforms and devices:
- Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, Vizio, Sony, TCL, Hisense
- Streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, NVIDIA Shield
- Mobile: iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets
- Computers: Any web browser on Windows, Mac, Linux
- Gaming consoles: PlayStation, Xbox
NBC Owned Stations by Market
NBCUniversal directly owns NBC stations in these major markets:
- New York: WNBC (Channel 4)
- Los Angeles: KNBC (Channel 4)
- Chicago: WMAQ (Channel 5)
- Philadelphia: WCAU (Channel 10)
- Dallas-Fort Worth: KXAS (Channel 5)
- San Francisco: KNTV (Channel 11)
- Boston: WBTS (Channel 10)
- Washington D.C.: WRC (Channel 4)
- Miami: WTVJ (Channel 6)
- San Diego: KNSD (Channel 39)
NBC Live Stream FAQ
Is NBC free to stream?
NBC broadcasts free over-the-air via antenna in all markets. Online, NBC News NOW streams free 24/7 on multiple platforms. The full live NBC channel requires either Peacock Premium Plus ($17.99/month) or a live TV streaming service subscription.
Can I watch NBC without cable?
Yes. Options include an antenna (free), Peacock Premium Plus ($17.99/month for local NBC), or live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream.
Does Peacock have live NBC?
Peacock Premium Plus ($17.99/month) includes your local NBC station’s live 24/7 feed. Regular Peacock Premium ($10.99/month) includes live sports on NBC but not the full local station feed.
How do I watch Sunday Night Football without cable?
Sunday Night Football streams on Peacock (Premium required), YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, and Sling TV (where NBC is available). An antenna also receives SNF free in all markets.
Is NBC on Fubo?
No. As of late 2025, Fubo does not carry NBC or other NBCUniversal channels due to a carriage dispute.
How do I watch the Olympics?
Olympic coverage airs across NBC broadcast, USA Network, and streams extensively on Peacock. A Peacock Premium subscription provides the most comprehensive Olympics access with every event available to stream.
Related Live Streams
Looking for more broadcast and news options? Check out these related streams:
- NBC News NOW Live Stream – Free 24/7 news coverage
- CNBC Live Stream – Business news from NBCUniversal
- MSNBC Live Stream – News and political analysis