A Locast Replacement For Free ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC in 2026? Disney Makes Big Changes to Fubo, & More – Your Top Cord Cutting Stories From The Past Week

I’ve been covering cord cutting since before it was cool — and I can tell you, the local TV landscape has never been messier. Locast shut down years ago, and every since, people keep asking me the same thing: “Where’s the free app that actually gives me ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC?”

Honest answer? It doesn’t exist yet. And this week, Disney made it worse.

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What I Tested For This Week

I’ve spent the last week monitoring the cord cutting space — Reddit threads, press releases, app updates — looking for anything that might finally fill the Locast void. Here’s what I found:

• Free streaming services claiming to offer local networks
• Recent Disney/Fubo changes and what they mean for existing subscribers
• New services like FreeCast Cities and MyFree DirecTV
• OTA antenna solutions for Firestick viewers
• App fragmentation — how many apps you actually need to watch all four major networks

Spoiler: Disney didn’t make things better. But there are still paths forward.

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The Locast Void: Why Nothing Has Filled It

Locast launched as a nonprofit streaming service offering ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC in most markets — for free, with a legal argument that local broadcasts should be available online. Then the networks sued, Locast ran out of money, and it was over.

Since then, cord cutters have been chasing the dream of a single free app that just… works. Here’s the reality in mid-2026:

The table tells the story: no single free app gives you all four. You either pay up for YouTube TV, buy hardware for OTA, or accept that you’ll be piecing together Paramount+ and Peacock to cover half the networks.

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Disney Just Made Fubo Worse — Here’s What Happened

This week’s biggest cord cutting news: Disney completed its acquisition-related changes to Fubo, and the fallout is real.

What changed:

• NBC removed from Fubo’s channel lineup in many markets
• Price increased by $5/month for the Sports Plan ($56/month base)
• Disney content integration is happening, but local channels took a hit

This is a big deal for cord cutters who chose Fubo specifically because it offered all four major networks. That promise is now broken in many cities.

The irony here is thick: Fubo was supposed to be the streaming cable alternative. Now it’s almost as fragmented as the old cable bundles it replaced.

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The Proposed Locast Replacements That Haven’t Launched Yet

Two services keep getting mentioned as potential Locast successors:

FreeCast Cities (Nexstar/Tegna Initiative)

• Backed by major station groups
• Aims to stream local broadcasts for free
• Status: Still in development, no public launch date
• Reality: Don’t hold your breath

MyFree DirecTV (DirecTV)

• Launched recently as an ad-supported free service
• Status: Available on some platforms, but local network feeds are spotty
• Reality: Doesn’t reliably deliver ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC in most markets yet

These services might matter in 2027. In 2026, they’re not solutions.

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Your Best Options for Local TV on Firestick

Let me break this down into three paths based on your budget and patience level.

Option 1: The Free Route (OTA Antenna + Tuner)

Plex

This is the only genuinely free method that covers all four networks. Here’s how it works:

Hardware needed:

• Digital OTA antenna ($30-150 depending on range)
• HDHomeRun or Tablo tuner ($50-150)
• Coaxial cable to connect antenna to tuner

The tuner connects to your home network, and you install the tuner company’s app on your Firestick to watch.

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Option 2: The Budget Streaming Route

If you can’t do OTA or want the convenience of streaming, here’s the reality of mixing services:

Service	Covers	Monthly Cost
Paramount+ Paramount+ with SHOWTIME	CBS	$11.99
Peacock Peacock Premium Plus	NBC	$11.99
Tubi Pluto TV (free)	Local news, some replays	$0

Total coverage: CBS and NBC. ABC and FOX? You’ll need an antenna or a bigger package.

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Option 3: The Everything Route (YouTube TV)

YouTube TV

For $73/month, YouTube TV gives you ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and a solid cloud DVR. It’s the most expensive option, but also the most complete.

If you’ve been paying for cable and miss the simplicity, YouTube TV is what that felt like — before the price catches up with you.

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The VPN Angle: Privacy While Streaming Locals

Here’s something most cord cutting articles skip: your ISP can still see what you stream even when you’re watching “free” OTA through an app. If you’re using streaming services to access local content, a VPN adds a layer of protection between you and anything you access.

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What About Amazon Fire TV Recast?

If you’ve been searching for a Recast replacement, here’s the uncomfortable truth: Amazon discontinued the Fire TV Recast, and support ends in 2026.

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Summary: Where We Are in 2026

Here’s the honest scorecard:

• No free Locast replacement exists for all four networks
• Disney made Fubo worse by removing NBC in many markets
• FreeCast Cities is still vaporware — don’t wait for it
• OTA antenna + tuner remains the best free method for ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC
• YouTube TV is the most convenient paid option at $73/month
• Paramount+ + Peacock gets you CBS and NBC for $23.98/month total, but leaves you without ABC

For my money? If you’re technically inclined, the OTA route pays for itself after three months compared to YouTube TV. If you want clicks-and-done simplicity, YouTube TV is worth it.

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Related Articles

Need more help getting local channels or cutting the cord? Check out these guides:

• How to Get Local Channels on Firestick for Free (5 Methods That Work)
• Best IPTV Services for Firestick in 2026
• Best Free Streaming Channels on Firestick (No Subscription Required)
• Firestick Not Connecting to TV? 10 Fixes That Actually Work

Looking for Live TV Beyond Local Networks? Try Unify IPTV

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Last updated: July 2026