News 12 live stream is a hyperlocal news network serves the New York metropolitan area with dedicated coverage for Long Island, New Jersey, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Connecticut. Unlike national networks, News 12 focuses exclusively on what matters in your neighborhood, from school board meetings to traffic on the LIE.
Here’s every way to watch News 12 live online, including free streaming options that don’t require an Optimum subscription.
Watch News 12 Live Stream
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About News 12
News 12 Networks operates as the nation’s first regional 24-hour news service, launching on Long Island in December 1986. The network pioneered the concept of hyperlocal television news, covering communities too small for major market stations but too important to ignore.
Today, News 12 operates seven regional news channels across the New York metropolitan area: News 12 Long Island, News 12 New Jersey, News 12 Westchester, News 12 Hudson Valley, News 12 Brooklyn, News 12 The Bronx, and News 12 Connecticut. Each channel maintains its own newsroom, reporters, and anchors dedicated specifically to that region.
Altice USA owns News 12 as part of its Optimum cable system, making it available to millions of subscribers across the tristate area. However, the network has expanded streaming options significantly, making News 12 accessible without a cable subscription.
News 12 Regional Channels
Each News 12 channel serves a distinct geographic region with dedicated local coverage:
News 12 Long Island
The original News 12 channel covers Nassau and Suffolk counties with comprehensive coverage of Long Island’s communities. From Montauk to the Queens border, the channel reports on LIRR service, beach conditions, local politics, and the issues affecting 2.8 million Long Islanders. News 12 Long Island operates from studios in Woodbury.
News 12 New Jersey
Covering the Garden State from High Point to Cape May, News 12 New Jersey reports on state politics in Trenton, NJ Transit service, Jersey Shore conditions, and local news from all 21 counties. The channel serves as New Jersey’s only 24-hour statewide news network.
News 12 Westchester
Westchester County residents rely on News 12 Westchester for coverage from White Plains to Yonkers, Tarrytown to New Rochelle. The channel covers Metro-North service, county government, school districts, and the unique issues facing suburban communities just north of New York City.
News 12 Hudson Valley
News 12 Hudson Valley serves Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. From the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Catskills, the channel covers the diverse communities throughout the Hudson Valley region.
News 12 Brooklyn and The Bronx
These borough-specific channels provide neighborhood-level coverage that citywide stations can’t match. From Coney Island to Crown Heights, Riverdale to Hunts Point, News 12 covers the stories affecting New York City’s most populous boroughs with dedicated local reporters.
News 12 Connecticut
The newest News 12 channel covers Fairfield County and surrounding Connecticut communities. From Stamford to Bridgeport, Greenwich to Danbury, the channel serves Connecticut residents in the New York metropolitan area.
How To Watch News 12 Live Stream Free
News 12 has expanded its free streaming options significantly, making the network accessible beyond Optimum cable subscribers.
News 12 App
Download the News 12 app for iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV. The app streams live newscasts and includes on-demand clips from recent stories. Select your regional channel (Long Island, New Jersey, Westchester, etc.) to get coverage specific to your area.
Optimum subscribers get full access by logging in with their credentials. Non-subscribers can watch a limited amount of content for free, with some features requiring authentication.
News12.com Regional Websites
Visit the News 12 website for your region to watch live streams directly in your browser:
- longisland.news12.com
- newjersey.news12.com
- westchester.news12.com
- hudsonvalley.news12.com
- brooklyn.news12.com
- bronx.news12.com
- connecticut.news12.com
Tubi and Peacock
News 12 streams free on Tubi and Peacock’s free tiers. Search for “News 12” on either platform to find live and on-demand content. These ad-supported options don’t require any subscription or login.
Optimum Subscribers
Optimum cable and internet customers get full access to News 12 through the Optimum TV app, the News 12 app with login, and the News 12 websites. Your regional News 12 channel is included with any Optimum TV package.
News 12 on Live TV Streaming Services
Unlike major broadcast networks, News 12 has limited availability on mainstream live TV streaming services due to its regional nature and Altice ownership.
Streaming Service Availability
News 12’s primary distribution remains through Optimum cable and the network’s own streaming apps. Major services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream do not currently carry News 12 channels.
For viewers seeking local news through streaming services, options include:
- News 12 app (free with limitations, full access for Optimum subscribers)
- Tubi (free, ad-supported)
- Peacock (free tier available)
- News 12 regional websites (free streaming)
News 12 Programming and Coverage
News 12’s 24-hour format provides continuous local coverage with regular news updates throughout the day.
Morning and Evening News
Each regional channel produces morning news programs starting before sunrise, covering overnight developments, traffic conditions, and weather forecasts to help residents start their day. Evening newscasts recap the day’s local stories with in-depth reporting.
Traffic and Weather
News 12’s strength lies in hyperlocal traffic and weather coverage. The network monitors specific roads, bridges, and transit systems in each region. During severe weather, News 12 provides school closing information, power outage updates, and neighborhood-specific conditions.
Long Island viewers get LIRR updates. New Jersey viewers get NJ Transit coverage. Westchester viewers get Metro-North conditions. This granular focus sets News 12 apart from citywide stations.
Community Coverage
News 12 covers stories that larger stations skip: local school board elections, municipal budget debates, Little League championships, and community events. This focus on neighborhood news builds viewer loyalty among residents who feel underserved by major market stations.
Breaking News
When major news breaks in the tristate area, News 12 often provides more detailed local coverage than NYC stations. The network’s regional structure means reporters are already embedded in affected communities, providing faster response and more comprehensive local angles.
Device Compatibility
Watch News 12 on virtually any device:
- Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, Vizio, Sony (via apps or casting)
- Streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast
- Mobile: iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets
- Computers: Any web browser on Windows, Mac, Linux
- Free streaming platforms: Tubi and Peacock apps on all devices
News 12 Coverage Areas by Channel
Here’s what each News 12 channel covers:
| Channel | Coverage Area | Key Communities |
|---|---|---|
| News 12 Long Island | Nassau, Suffolk Counties | Hempstead, Huntington, Islip, Brookhaven, Babylon |
| News 12 New Jersey | All 21 NJ Counties | Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, Atlantic City, Camden |
| News 12 Westchester | Westchester County | White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon |
| News 12 Hudson Valley | Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan | Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Middletown, Kingston |
| News 12 Brooklyn | Brooklyn Borough | Williamsburg, Downtown Brooklyn, Bay Ridge, Flatbush |
| News 12 The Bronx | Bronx Borough | Riverdale, Fordham, Hunts Point, Throgs Neck |
| News 12 Connecticut | Fairfield County + nearby | Stamford, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Greenwich, Danbury |
News 12 History and Impact
When News 12 Long Island launched in December 1986, it pioneered a new model for local television news. Before News 12, regional communities relied on major market stations that covered only the biggest stories. News 12 proved that dedicated local coverage could build loyal audiences and sustainable business models.
The success of News 12 Long Island led to expansion across the tristate area throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Cablevision (now Altice USA) used News 12 as a differentiator, offering local coverage competitors couldn’t match.
Today, News 12 employs hundreds of journalists across its regional channels, making it one of the largest local news operations in the country. The network has won numerous Emmy and Associated Press awards for its journalism.
News 12 Live Stream FAQ
Is News 12 free to watch?
Yes, News 12 offers free streaming through its website, app (with some limitations), Tubi, and Peacock. Optimum subscribers get full unlimited access.
Do I need cable to watch News 12?
No. While Optimum cable subscribers get the full experience, cord-cutters can watch News 12 for free through the News 12 app, regional websites, Tubi, and Peacock.
Can I watch News 12 outside New York?
Yes. The News 12 app and websites stream from anywhere in the United States. This is helpful for former residents, vacationers, or snowbirds who want to keep up with tristate news.
Is News 12 on YouTube TV?
No, YouTube TV does not currently carry News 12 channels. Use the free News 12 app or Tubi for streaming access.
How do I watch News 12 on Roku?
Download the free News 12 app from the Roku Channel Store. You can also use the Tubi or Peacock apps on Roku to access News 12 streams.
Does News 12 have a weather app?
The main News 12 app includes weather forecasts, radar, and severe weather alerts for your selected region. You don’t need a separate weather app.
Which News 12 channel should I watch?
Watch the channel that covers your area. Long Island residents should watch News 12 Long Island. New Jersey residents watch News 12 New Jersey. The app and websites let you select your regional channel.
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