UPDATE: Locast Streaming Service Has Shut Down
If you struggle to get good over-the-air TV channels there is a new service called Locast which streams free OTA TV channels over the internet.
This is good news for anyone who has problems getting a good OTA signal such as being in a rural area.
The menu system is a TV guide format with information available on each show and 1-click to play.
It is currently available in 16 cites which you must be near one to use a stream.
If you are not near one of the big markets a VPN can be used to change your location.
What is Locast TV?
Locast is a non-profit service that streams OTA TV channels, usually received with a TV antenna, over the internet.
They are able to stream the content since a loophole in copyright law allows the re-transmission of television signals by non-commercial entities.
While it is officially non-profit an annoying reminder to donate will keep popping up until a donation is made for at least $5.
Pros
- Free Over-the-Air TV Channels.
- Available on for most any device Fire Stick, Android TV Box, Roku, iOS, and more.
- No buffering with a clear picture.
Cons
- A donation of at least $5 is needed or an annoying reminder will keep coming back.
- Must be located in one of the 16 TV markets currently being used.
City TV Markets Available
- New York City
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Washington, D.C.
- Houston
- San Francisco
- Boston
- Atlanta
- Phoenix
- Seattle
- Denver
- Baltimore
- Sioux Falls
- Rapid City
= How To Install Locast TV =
- Go to the Locast TV Website Here and sign up for a free account.
- Download a Locast TV app for your device or use a browser to sign in.
Installing and using Locast TV is easy by going to their website and signing up for an account.
After creating an account sign in using a browser or a Locast TV app.
Summary
Locast is a great new way for cord-cutters to get free OTA TV channels.
It is available for almost any device using a browser or an app.
Anyone who uses the service a lot will likely need to donate to stop the annoying periodically request for a donation.
Once a donation is made of at least $5 the request goes away.
If you have a good OTA antenna there will be no need for the Locast service as they are simply broadcasting the same channels.
The real benefit will be for those who have difficulty receiving OTA signals or those who need a more mobile solution.
There have been some legal challenges to Locast TV which unlike many pirate IPTV streams is currently operating within copyright law.
Service to Sioux City, Iowa…..but not Des Moines, Iowa…(?) Blasphemy!
You can get OTA stations with clear tv. I paid for it once and never have to pay for it again.
I’ll be dead by the time they get to my area
Hey, can’t get the app to let me play anything, it keeps saying location error
The article says if you are not in one of the Cities they service, you have to change your internet location. You can do this using some antivirus programs like Norton I know because I used to have mine set to change locations randomly to avoid letting hackers hone in on my computer, but when I did that it’s created problems with Netflix, because Netflix serves different shows in different areas. If you pay for one area on Netflix, and your VPN shows you in a different area, it will refuse to show it.
I love Locast.. I’ve been using it for a while now.. I paid the $5.00 because the more you watch the more it will start to interrupt programming to ask for a donation
Tried Locast and hated it. So annoying they continuously push donating then freezes. Made me not want to donate. Installed a Clearstream 4V antenna over the weekend and got 83 channels.
The whole idea of antenna tv is FREE not by paying for internet, and the markets where its availible just spaend $15 on an antenna