Streaming services may have revolutionized the home-entertainment game, but sometimes you just have to catch some current events as they happen to stay in the know. Whether it's live sports, breaking news, or local weather forecasts, there are just some things you can't wait to binge later. Thankfully, being an Amazon Fire TV users doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the live and latest.
Products used in this guide
- 4K High Definition streaming: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($50 at Amazon)
- Free HD-airwaves: HDTV Antenna ($20 at Amazon)
How to watch live TV through unofficial streaming services
There are, in fact, quite a few ways you can access live television through the device, depending on what you're looking for, services available in your area, and what you're willing to spend. If you want to dabble in unofficial streaming services, here are the steps.
- From the Main Menu, select the Fire TV App Store.
- Do a general search for Live TV or a specific search for apps like Kodi, LiveNetTV or Swift Streamz.
- Install the app (additional set-up may be required depending on the program).
- Return to on the Main Menu page, select the Live option in the top left corner, and enjoy!
As these are third party (and often free) services, quality and availability of local live television may vary widely, with no guarantees that the live coverage you're looking for will be included.
How to watch live TV through official & subscription-based services
If you want to go through official means, here's a quick run down and how-to for the best live TV viewing options.
- From the Main Menu, select the Fire TV App Store.
- Search for your preferred premium or subscription-based app, such as Sling Television, AT&T TV NOW or Hulu With Live TV.
- Install the app (additional signing-up and payments may be required).
- Return to the Main Menu page, select the Live option in the top left corner, and enjoy!
While these apps are terrific ways to access high-quality live content, they will be more limited in what shows are available, and to get a full range of live-broadcasts may require multiple subscriptions.
How to watch live TV with an antenna
If you prefer to watch live TV using an antenna, here's how it's done.
- Purchase and install an HD TV antenna compatible with Amazon Fire TV, such as the one in our equipment picks below.
- From the Main Menu, select the Live option in the top left corner, which will lead you to a channel guide of all available HD airwave channels in your area.
Results, quantity, and quality of available live television may vary depending on what is broadcasting in your area. Still, these HD airwave channels are guaranteed to be free to access and are unaffected by the typical issues other streaming avenues face, like internet-speed or service interruptions.
Our top equipment picks
These are the mandatory or core equipment selections for watching live tv on your Fire TV device.
Ride the airwaves
These aren't your grandparents' rabbit-ears
Free HD-quality live television is yours for the taking with this cost-effective, 4K ready antenna kit. Why pay for monthly subscriptions or take up precious internet bandwidth when you can pluck network television from the air itself?
The HDTV antenna for Amazon Fire TV is simply your best option for getting the most out of local live broadcasting without additional costly subscriptions, complicated to set up streaming apps, or frustrating service interruptions. With a low one-time purchase fee and universal adaptability to any Fire TV device, big or small, this HD antenna kit is sure to please.
Additional Equipment
Of course, it doesn't matter how you go about accessing live television over Fire TV if you don't have a Fire TV device! Here are the three best options available on the market.
Catch all your favorite live and streaming content in beautiful 4K high-definition with the Fire TV 4K Stick.
If the highest-of-high definition isn't necessary, enjoy the same great content for less with the Amazon Fire TV Standard Definition Stick.
Go big or go home with Amazon's highest-end Fire TV device, the integrated 4K all-in-one ultra-HD Fire Television from Toshiba.
