Your Situation

Our priority is to make sure you continue to have access to the sports, news, weather and traffic updates that support your daily life.News 5 Cleveland

This isn't just a business dispute between two corporations. It's about your access to trusted, locally produced journalism — the reporters who cover your neighborhood, your city council, your school district.

DirecTV is a multibillion-dollar company that controls what millions of Americans can watch. When carriage negotiations break down, it's everyday viewers who lose access — often without warning. News 5 is fighting to make sure that doesn't happen here.

What's At Stake If DirecTV Pulls News 5

If Deal Fails

• Gone Local News on DirecTV Channel removed from lineup
• Gone ABC Programming Sports, prime-time, breaking news
• Gone Weather & Traffic No live local forecasts
• No notification when it happens

With Free Alternatives

• Free Antenna Signal HD quality, always on
• Free Samsung TV Plus Stream on your smart TV
• Free LG Channels / Amazon No subscription needed
• YouTube TV & Hulu as paid backups

📞 DirecTV Customer? Call Right Now

• Call 1-855-KEEP-US-1: That's 1-855-533-7871. Tell DirecTV you want to keep News 5 in your channel lineup. Your voice matters in these negotiations.
• Be Direct — Tell Them What You Watch: Mention local news, weather, sports, and ABC programming. The more specific you are, the more weight your call carries.

The good news: you don't need a cable subscription to watch News 5. An over-the-air antenna gives you a free, crystal-clear HD signal — the same signal that was free before cable even existed.

Cord-cutting has exploded across Greater Cleveland in recent years. If DirecTV follows through on removing News 5, you have real, free options ready to go today.

Your Viewing Options Compared

Are You Ready to Go Antenna?

Four quick questions to see how prepared you are for any DirecTV disruption.

Do you currently have a TV antenna?

• Yes, it's already set up — You're ahead of the game. Just make sure you've done a recent channel rescan to find all available signals.
• I have one but it's not connected — You're halfway there. Connecting and rescanning takes about 10 minutes — do it today before any disruption hits.
• No, but I'm open to getting one — Good news — antennas are inexpensive and widely available. Visit thefreeTVproject.org to find the right one for your area.
• No, and I'm not sure about it — Totally understandable. But consider this: an antenna is a one-time purchase that gives you free HD TV forever. Worth a look at thefreeTVproject.org.

Do you have a smart TV or streaming device (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV)?

• Yes — smart TV and/or a streaming stick — Perfect. You can access News 5 content on Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, and Amazon Prime Video right now — no extra cost.
• I have a smart TV only — Check your smart TV's app store or pre-loaded channels for Samsung TV Plus or LG Channels depending on your brand.
• I have a streaming stick only — Great. Search your device's app store for News 5 or check Amazon Prime Video for our streaming content.
• Neither — just a regular TV — An antenna is your best bet for free HD local TV. A streaming stick (starting around $25) would open up even more free options.

Do you know how to rescan your TV for over-the-air channels?

• Yes, I've done it before — Great skill to have. Remember: rescan after any major weather events or equipment changes, as signal sources can shift.
• I think I could figure it out — It's simpler than it sounds: Menu → Channel Setup → Antenna/Tuner → Auto Scan. Your TV does the rest in a few minutes.
• I have no idea how — No worries — it takes about 3 steps. Check the step-by-step guide below. Or search your TV brand + 'channel rescan' on YouTube for a video walkthrough.
• My TV doesn't have antenna capability — Older TVs may need a digital converter box (available at most electronics stores for under $40) to receive over-the-air signals.

If DirecTV dropped News 5 tomorrow, how would you get local news?

• I already have a backup plan — You're well-prepared. Make sure family members in your household know the plan too.
• I'd figure it out quickly — Confidence is good — but having a plan now means no scrambling during a breaking news event or severe weather alert.
• I'd be frustrated and confused — That's exactly why we put this guide together. Bookmark this page and share it with anyone who relies on DirecTV for local news.
• I'd just go without local news — Local news matters most during emergencies, severe weather, and community events. A free antenna ensures you're never left in the dark.

How to Rescan Your TV for Free News 5 HD Signal

1. Press the Menu button on your remote — Look for a button labeled 'Menu,' 'Home,' or the gear/settings icon. Every TV remote has one.
2. Navigate to Channel Setup — Look for options like 'Channel Setup,' 'Channels,' 'Tuner,' or 'Broadcast.' The exact wording varies by TV brand.
3. Select Antenna or Air as your source — Choose 'Antenna,' 'Air,' or 'OTA' — NOT 'Cable.' This tells your TV to look for over-the-air broadcasts.
4. Start Auto Scan or Channel Search — Select 'Auto Scan,' 'Auto Tuning,' or 'New Scan.' Your TV will scan all frequencies — this takes 2–5 minutes.
5. Find News 5 in your channel list — News 5 should appear in your scanned channel list. If it doesn't appear, try repositioning your antenna or visit thefreeTVproject.org for antenna recommendations for your area.

Watch News 5 Free — Right Now

• Find the Best Antenna for Your Address: Visit thefreeTVproject.org or Tablo TV to see which antenna works best for your specific location in Greater Cleveland.
• Stream on Samsung TV Plus: If you have a Samsung smart TV, News 5 content is available at no cost through Samsung TV Plus — no login required.
• Stream on LG Channels or Amazon Prime Video: LG smart TV owners can find us in LG Channels. Amazon Prime Video subscribers can also access News 5 content.
• YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV: Both paid streaming services carry News 5 and ABC programming as reliable cable alternatives.

What Is a Carriage Dispute — And Why Does This Keep Happening?

A 'carriage dispute' happens when a TV broadcaster and a cable or satellite company can't agree on how much the distributor pays to carry the broadcaster's channels. These negotiations happen behind the scenes — until they break down publicly.

When deals expire without a new agreement, the distributor can drop the broadcaster's channels from its lineup, sometimes overnight. Viewers are often caught off guard with no warning.

These disputes have become more common as broadcast companies fight to recoup revenue lost to streaming, and as satellite/cable companies try to control costs. DirecTV has dropped local stations in multiple markets during past negotiations.

The leverage in these fights ultimately comes from viewers. When subscribers complain loudly — or threaten to cancel — distributors are more likely to reach a deal quickly. That's why calling DirecTV matters.

The Stakes in Numbers

• Billions — DirecTV Annual Revenue
• $0 — Cost of Antenna Alternative
• 4+ — Free Streaming Platforms
• 5 min — Time to Call DirecTV