One of the most common questions I get is whether Starlink provides TV with their internet service. Starlink doesn’t provide live TV channels, but you can stream live TV with Starlink using internet streaming services like Hulu, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.
In this article, I will explain the difference between Starlink satellite internet and satellite TV providers like DirecTV and Dish Network. I will also detail how you can get local TV for free. Finally, I will answer the question of how you can get TV through Starlink by using various internet streaming services.
Table of Contents
Starlink vs Satellite TV
When most people think of satellites, they think of satellite TV. DirecTV and Dish Network have been providing TV for many years through their familiar dish’s. When Starlink came along in 2021, many assumed that they would offer TV service. But satellite TV and satellite internet are very different.
Starlink is satellite internet, which connects your home network to the rest of the world wirelessly through a satellite connection. You install a dish (antenna) on your home, and that dish sends and receives information from satellites orbiting overhead. Satellite TV works in a similar fashion, except the dish’s are meant to receive a TV signal rather than internet data packets.
So while I’m sure Starlink could serve live TV signals, that isn’t what the system is designed and built for. The service is for internet, which, as we will discuss, can also be used to stream live TV.
Over-The-Air Antennas For Local Channels
If you decide to get Starlink internet, how are you supposed to get local TV channels? One way to get free local channels is to use a traditional TV antenna to receive local over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts. Local TV stations broadcast their signals to the area for free. That means if you live close enough to the station, usually within 70 miles, you should be able to receive local TV for free.
Luckily, OTA TV antennas are relatively cheap and easy to hook up. You’ll need a TV with TV tuner, which most already have. Antennas range from small enough to fit behind your TV, to large roof mounted ones. Which one you need depends on how far away the TV station is to your home.
You can also get local TV channels though a variety of internet streaming services, which I will cover next.
Live TV On Streaming Services
If you want live TV, but don’t want cable or satellite, you can use internet streaming services with Starlink to gain access to your favorite cable networks and channels. Since Starlink is internet, you can use any internet streaming service you like. Many services offer live TV streaming, such as Hulu, YouTubeTV, and Sling TV. Since Starlink offers high-speed, low latency broadband internet, it can handle streaming the latest HD and 4K shows on multiple devices in your home.
Most live TV streaming services also can deliver your local TV channels. If you don’t want to install an OTA antenna, or you live too far away from the TV stations, you can stream local channels through the internet using one of the many available streaming services.
Can Starlink Replace Satellite TV Or Cable?
In summary, Starlink isn’t a live TV service like DirecTV. But since Starlink is internet, you can stream your favorite live TV channels through internet streaming apps like YouTubeTV and others. So yes, Starlink is fully capable of replacing your existing satellite or cable TV connection. Local channels are often available for free using an OTA antenna. For live TV channels, just be sure to select the internet streaming service that offers the networks you want.
We have Starlink now and live in rural NE Oklahoma. Now we get DFW local stations instead of Tulsa channels. We only need local weather so we get around this by downloading the Tulsa Channel 6 (CBS) app on our tv. We are able to stream Fubo, Peacock, philo, Paramount +, ESPN, Netflix, Hulu and YouTube. With live TV on Fubo and philo. Hope this helps someone.
Do you pay extra for all those streaming services?
Hi Gina. Thanks for the information. Do you have to subscribe and pay separately for each of those streaming services? I’m in Canada and Starlink is $140/month after purchasing the required equipment then upon that pay a monthly subscription for each streaming service channel. I want to get Starlink but seems like a lot of money each month!
I just got email mine on it way. How do I find out where I can go to get the channels I normally watch on tv?
You’ll just have to find streaming providers that have the live TV channels you want. Starlink doesn’t provide any TV services, just internet, so you’ll be able to choose which streaming provider you want to use with Starlink.
I have Starlink and utilize streaming services for TV including Fubo. I live in Arizona yet I am only able to receive local programming from California. My IP address is locating me in Los Angeles. Is there any way to receive local programming? OTA is not an option.
This is a common problem with Starlink that has to do with how they hand out IP addresses. There isn’t a great option right now, unfortunately. Probably the best solution is to connect your device through a VPN service that has servers available near the area you live.
I have a cabin in a remote area and starlink is available. I do not use it much from January to June, would I be able to put it on pause for that time and then continue after that? This is what I currently do with Dish. This is not considered mobile or RV, which I know you can.
You can purchase the Roam/Mobile plan to be able to pause. It’s the same hardware as Residential. You cannot pause with the Residential service option.
we received conformation but today is day 8 and can not sign in
If I wanted to use this system for only a few days at a time, several times a year, would i have to pay for an entire month of service. This would be used while camping where we have no phone or TV signal
Yes, you would need to pay for the full month.
I’m thinking of getting Star Link but worried that I will lose the I will lose the news channel and worried that we won’t be able to watch movies
Starlink is just like any other internet service, in that it can be used for internet streaming services to watch movies and shows. For local news channels, you would need an antenna, or to subscribe to a live TV service that supports your local channels.
I want to ditch Direct TV we have Starlink live in SE Alaska what’s the best streaming app for us?
It depends on what kind of content you need. Every streaming service has its own pros and cons. Live TV is where it gets more difficult and costly. Personally I avoid live TV all together and rely completely on on-demand streaming from services like Apple TV and Peacock. Works great with Starlink. Some live TV providers are known to not work well with Starlink due to the IP address location issues.
i have a smart tv how do i get my starlink working on it
Connect the smart TV to the Starlink Wifi network to enable internet features on the smart TV.
Just the stupidest of questions, before I go buy a smart tv. I have starlink, and it works great. It’s true, right, that when I get the smart tv, starlink won’t actually be plugged into it–but the tv will pick up the signal just like my other wireless stuff does, right? I told you it was a stupid question! I just need reassurance about all the confusing stuff behind the tv screen!!
Yep! Starlink just provides you with the Wifi network/internet. So your new smart TV will then connect to Starlink’s Wifi, and that is how you’ll have internet access for all the streaming apps on the smart TV.
I bought a TV at Walmart that has Roku built in. It will wirelessly connect via WiFi to any router including Starlink.
My wife and I are retired and average about two weeks out camping in our RV and back at home for three to four before back out again, would it be ok to just purchase RV since we are out on road about week or so out every month but two.
Starlink RV would work great for your situation because monthly payments can be paused when you are at home not using it.
I don’t know when service will be available for me @my home. Could I purchase the RV now and upgrade to my home when it’s available
You can purchase RV to use at your home, but it cannot be converted to Residential. You would have to buy another dish if you wanted Residential service when it becomes available.
Sling will not work on Starlink.
was working for about a week then got error message call sling and went through 60 mins of cs help but only way sling would work is to go back to our slow internet service CenturyLink.
checked on line and found many people had the same problem.
Brad
Thanks for the info. I was able to find this discussion that has some more information: https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink/comments/10mq5nm/sling_tv_outage_on_starlink/
It appears to be an IP location issue. One workaround would be to use a VPN to manually set your location/IP. Starlink uses CGNAT to hand out IP’s, and your IP can change and isn’t usually located in the same physical state as your home. The good news is that Sling appears to be aware of the issue and is working to solve it, but I think another service or a VPN would be good options until they do.
Hulu will not work on Starlink.
Hulu uses your public IP address to confirm your “home” location and every time Starlink changes your public IP address, which it does frequently, your Hulu will stop working. I spoke with Hulu about this and confirmed it. They too are supposedly working on a solution but have no timeframe for a fix. I agree a VPN back to a location with a static public IP address would work but that means you are paying for a second internet provider somewhere and there’s the “overhead” and complexity of running the VPN on your internet which will slow things down considerably and introduce more potential points of failure. Consequently using a VPN isn’t a great option.
So, Hulu doesn’t work, Sling doesn’t work. Anyone know about Roku or YouTubeTV?
but could you mirror it from a laptop?
I’m looking for the same……
Does anyone know if Roku or You Tibe TV will stream with Starlink Mobile????
My neighbor in Essex MT (small town by Glacier Park) has been using U tube TV for a year with Starlink. Works fine. He needs an Apple tv box to connect his regular tv. Don’t know why but it works. Neither one of us is very techie.
Todd
YouTube isn’t working for me. Local stations need to be static IP.
The Crazy thing is if you go to Google maps it knows exactly where you are. You would think they would be smart enough to figure this out. It’s about the money the location service they use is free.
I have Starlink and I can get Hulu – though I still also have Direct TV. I am reading this thread because I want to get rid of Direct TV.
So now I am confused. I thought these add ons were independent of Direct TV.
Sounds like I will lose Hulu if I cancel…sounds like Sling doesn’t work either…hmmm.
[email protected]