Can 'Chromecast w/ Google TV' play free over the air/local channels?

by Hush564

Hi all!

I've tried searching for different ways to ask this but I only get articles to lists of apps that requires subs.

I'm trying to find out if there is a way to play my local ota channels through my chromecast as if it was like a rabbit-ear antenna picking up free channels or an app that can scan channels from an antenna. I'd like to be able to access live weather and news alerts easily.

There is also new terms around all this as well that I'm not familiar with, like IPTV - I'm not sure what this is?

edge000

The most straight forward and legitimate way of doing this is with an antenna and a digital tuner device like the HDHomerun. I use this with my ShieldTV, and it works well. The only caveat is how good the OTA reception is where your antenna and digital tuner are located.

MicheleIM

I'm not familiar with Chromecast other than it's built into my Google TV, but if you have access to the "Live Channels" app, that's what you need to access the local OTA channels. You go into the channel settings and then "channel sources" where you can choose antenna. It will scan for any channels and load them into the app for viewing. If you want to record, that's a whole different ballgame. You'll need some type of DVR. Hope this helps.

rocketwidget

In certain US markets https://www.locast.org/ is free, though it will start turning itself off after a while if you don't pay the monthly donation.

jhedfors

Depending on your location, Locast is a great option, but definitely better experience with $5/mo. donation.