Morning routines are sacred. For a lot of us, that means the smell of burnt toast and the familiar banter of Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. But the way we watch has changed. Fast. If you're trying to figure out how to stream The Today Show without paying a $150 monthly cable bill, you've actually got more options than you might realize. It’s not just about one app anymore.
Honestly, the landscape is a bit of a mess. You have Peacock, various "skinny" bundles, and even free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels that play segments on a loop. It’s confusing. Most people think they need a digital antenna or a legacy Comcast subscription just to see the weather. You don't.
The Peacock Problem (And Solution)
Let’s talk about Peacock first because it’s the elephant in the room. NBCUniversal owns both the show and the platform. If you want the most "official" way to stream The Today Show, this is it. But there is a catch that catches people off guard every single morning.
You can't just get the free tier and expect the live broadcast. You need a Premium or Premium Plus subscription. If you have the paid version, you get a "Live" tab. This gives you access to your local NBC affiliate. It's great. It feels like regular TV. But if you’re trying to save five bucks a month by sticking to the free version, you’re basically limited to clips and highlights. You miss the breaking news. You miss the energy.
Actually, there’s a nuance here. Peacock also runs a 24/7 channel called Today All Day. It’s not the live broadcast from Studio 1A. Instead, it’s a curated feed of lifestyle segments, cooking demos, and interviews from earlier in the day or the week. It’s perfect if you just want background noise while you fold laundry, but it sucks if you’re trying to find out why traffic is backed up on the I-95 right now.
YouTube TV and the Heavy Hitters
If you want the full experience—local commercials, local news cut-ins, and that specific "live" feeling—you’re looking at live stream services. YouTube TV is the big one. It’s expensive, though. We're talking $70+ a month.
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Hulu + Live TV is another one. They both carry NBC. The advantage here is the cloud DVR. You can "record" the show and start watching at 8:30 AM while skipping the first half-hour of commercials. It’s a luxury. Is it worth seventy bucks just for morning news? Probably not. But if you’re a sports fan or need your local news fix, it’s the most seamless way to stream The Today Show on a big screen.
FuboTV and DirecTV Stream also carry NBC, but they’re often even more expensive. Fubo is great for soccer fans, but if you’re just here for Al Roker, it’s overkill.
The Secret "Free" Ways
Wait. You can actually do this for free. Sort of.
The Today Show website and their mobile app often stream specific segments live. It’s hit or miss. Usually, they gate the actual live broadcast behind a "TV Provider" login. If you have a relative who still pays for cable, you can use their login. We’ve all done it.
Then there’s the NBC News app. It’s available on Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV. They frequently stream the first hour or so of the news portion for free. It’s a smart way to get people into the ecosystem.
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Don't forget the antenna. It’s not "streaming" in the technical sense, but if you plug a $20 Mohu Leaf into the back of your smart TV, you get NBC in 4K or 1080p for free. Forever. No monthly bill. It’s the ultimate "hack" that people keep forgetting exists in the digital age.
Why the Fourth Hour is Different
The 10:00 AM hour—Today with Hoda & Jenna—is its own beast. Because it’s more talk-show focused than news-focused, its streaming rights are sometimes handled differently on social platforms. You’ll find way more of their content on YouTube and Instagram almost immediately after it airs.
If you're looking to stream The Today Show specifically for the wine-drinking and the laughs, you can usually piece together the entire hour just through their YouTube channel without ever paying a dime.
Technical Hurdles to Watch Out For
Buffering is the enemy of a good morning. If you're streaming via an app, you're usually about 30 to 60 seconds behind the actual live broadcast. This doesn't matter for most people. However, if you're a weirdo like me who follows live Twitter (or X) threads during breaking news, you'll see spoilers.
Also, location services.
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Most streaming apps use your IP address to figure out which NBC affiliate to show you. If you’re using a VPN, Peacock might think you’re in Chicago when you’re actually in Miami. This affects your local news cut-ins. If you want your local weather, turn the VPN off before you hit play.
The Best Strategy Right Now
If I were setting this up for a friend today, here is exactly what I would tell them to do. Don't overthink it.
First, check if you can get a signal with an antenna. It’s the highest quality video and it’s free. If you live in a valley or a concrete jungle where signals go to die, move to step two.
Step two is Peacock. It’s the cheapest "legal" way to get the live feed without a full cable package. It’s about the price of two cups of coffee.
Step three is only for the power users. If you need a DVR and want to watch on your phone, your tablet, and your TV simultaneously, get the YouTube TV free trial. See if you actually use it. Most people find they only watch three or four channels.
Actionable Steps for Your Morning
- Check your hardware: If you have a Roku or Fire Stick, download the NBC News app first. Sometimes the "Live" preview is long enough to get you through the main headlines.
- Audit your subscriptions: Check if your internet provider (like Xfinity) already gives you a free or discounted Peacock subscription. Many people are paying for it twice without realizing.
- Test your speed: You need at least 5-10 Mbps for a stable HD stream. If your kitchen Wi-Fi is spotty, your morning news will stutter right when they’re announcing the lottery numbers.
- Set a "Start" Routine: On most smart TVs, you can set an app to open automatically when you turn the power on. Set it to Peacock or YouTube TV so you don't have to fumble with menus while you're half-asleep.
Streaming doesn't have to be a chore. It’s just about picking the right lane. Whether you’re on a budget or want the premium experience, the peacock is waiting. You just have to decide how much you're willing to pay to see the sun rise over the Plaza.