Cutting the cord used to mean you’d lose your morning routine. Honestly, that was the biggest hurdle for people. They didn't want to lose Savannah Guthrie or Hoda Kotb while they drank their first cup of coffee. But it's 2026, and the landscape has shifted so much that clinging to a $150 cable bill just for NBC is, well, it's kinda overkill. If you’re trying to figure out how to watch the Today Show without cable, you’ve actually got more options now than ever before, and some of them won't cost you a single dime.
The reality is that NBC—the home of Today—is a broadcast network. That’s a huge distinction. Because it's broadcast, the signal is literally flying through the air right now. You just need the right "net" to catch it.
The Old School Way That Still Works Best
Let’s talk about the digital antenna. People hear "antenna" and think of those rusty rabbit ears from the 70s that required aluminum foil to get a clear picture. Not anymore. Modern digital antennas are paper-thin. You stick them on a window or hide them behind the TV.
If you live within 30 or 40 miles of an NBC affiliate tower, you can get the Today Show in high definition for free. Forever. You pay twenty bucks for the hardware once, and that’s it. No subscriptions. No login screens. It's the most reliable way to watch because it doesn't depend on your Wi-Fi signal. If your internet goes down, the antenna still works.
Peacock is the Most Obvious Choice
Since NBCUniversal owns Peacock, they’ve made it the primary hub for their morning programming. But there is a catch that catches people off guard.
You can’t just hop on the free version of Peacock and see the live broadcast. You generally need the Premium Plus tier to see your local NBC station live. However, Peacock has started streaming "Today All Day," which is their 24/7 digital feed. It isn't the exact same thing as the live 7:00 AM broadcast you see on TV, but it features many of the same segments, cooking demos, and news clips. If you want the live, "as-it-happens" experience with the local news cut-ins, you’re looking at that paid Peacock tier.
The Live TV Streaming Services
Sometimes you want the full cable experience without the cable company’s nonsense. This is where the "Skinny Bundles" come in. You’ve probably heard of YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. They are expensive—usually around $75 a month—but they carry your local NBC station.
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FuboTV is another one, often overlooked, but it’s great if you’re a sports fan who also wants their morning news. These services give you a cloud DVR. That’s the secret sauce. You can set it to record Today and watch it at 10:00 AM if you slept in, skipping all the commercials for car insurance and prescription meds. It’s a luxury, sure, but it’s a lot cheaper than the $200 bundles Comcast tries to sell you.
Why Does the Local Affiliate Matter?
Here is something most people don't realize about how to watch the Today Show without cable: you aren't actually watching NBC. You're watching your local station that airs NBC. Whether it's WNBC in New York or KNBC in LA, that local station is the gatekeeper.
When you use a service like Sling TV, you have to be careful. Sling Blue carries NBC, but only in select major markets. If you live in a smaller city, Sling might not give you the live local feed. Always check your zip code on their "local lookup" tool before you put down your credit card. There is nothing more frustrating than signing up for a service only to realize you’re blacked out of the one show you wanted.
Watching Today Show Segments for Free
Maybe you don’t need the full four hours. Most people don’t. If you just want the headlines and the "Steals and Deals" segments, the Today website and their YouTube channel are gold mines.
They upload the big interviews almost immediately after they air. Sometimes they even go live on YouTube with specific segments. It’s a disjointed way to watch, but if you’re a "highlights" person, it saves you a lot of money. The Today app on Roku or Apple TV also offers a lot of this content for free, though it's rarely the full, live broadcast.
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What About the Third and Fourth Hours?
The Today show is a behemoth. It starts at 7:00 AM and basically runs until lunch. Today with Hoda & Jenna (the fourth hour) often feels like a completely different show.
Interestingly, some streaming services treat these hours differently. On Peacock, you might find the 4th hour available on-demand even if you don't have the live local feed. If you’re a fan of the lifestyle and chat segments rather than the hard news of the first hour, you might find that the free digital versions satisfy your itch without needing a live TV subscription at all.
Technical Hurdles You Should Know
Don't just buy an antenna and expect magic. Check a site like RabbitEars.info. It shows you exactly where the towers are. If there is a giant mountain between you and the NBC tower, an antenna won't help you much.
Also, internet speed matters for the streaming options. If you’re trying to stream 4K or even high-bitrate 1080p video while the kids are gaming, your morning news is going to buffer. You want at least 25 Mbps for a smooth, frustration-free experience.
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Making the Final Move
Changing your morning routine is scary. We are creatures of habit. But the math doesn't lie. Even if you pay $12 a month for Peacock Premium Plus, you're saving over $1,000 a year compared to a standard cable package.
Start by getting a cheap antenna from a place with a good return policy. Plug it in. Scan for channels. If you see Al Roker's face in crisp HD, you're done. You've won. If the signal is weak, then look into the Peacock app or a larger streaming bundle. The key is to stop paying for 200 channels you never watch just to see one show you love.
Actionable Steps for Cord Cutting:
- Check your signal: Visit RabbitEars.info to see if a digital antenna is viable for your specific address.
- Trial a service: Use the 7-day free trials offered by YouTube TV or FuboTV during a week when you know you'll be home to test the interface.
- Audit your Peacock account: If you already pay for Peacock, check if upgrading to the "Plus" tier is cheaper than adding a whole new live TV service.
- Compare the "All Day" feed: Watch the "Today All Day" stream on the free version of Peacock or the Today app to see if it satisfies your need for the show's content without needing the live local broadcast.