How to Watch KONG TV Seattle: Your Guide to Free and Low-Cost Streaming
For residents of the Seattle area, KONG TV is a vital source for local news, original programming, and live sports. As the sister station to NBC affiliate KING-TV, KONG (virtual channel 16) is a go-to channel for fans of the Seattle Kraken and Reign FC. If you’ve joined the cord-cutting movement and are looking for affordable ways to watch, you have more options than ever before.
This high-quality guide breaks down all the ways to watch KONG TV, with a special focus on the best free and low-cost streaming apps available for your smart home entertainment system.
1. The Classic, Free Way: Over-the-Air (OTA) with a Digital Antenna
Before streaming, there was broadcast TV, and it's still the most reliable free method to watch KONG TV. By using a modern digital antenna, you can receive KONG's signal in stunning high-definition, with no subscription fees whatsoever.
How it Works: Simply connect a digital antenna to your TV's coaxial input and perform a channel scan. The TV will automatically find all local channels, including KONG TV (channel 16) and its sister station, KING-TV (channel 5).
Why It’s a Great Option: A one-time purchase of a quality digital antenna is a perfect cord-cutting solution that gives you access to all major networks and local programming for free, forever.
2. The Best Free App: The KING 5+ Streaming App
For viewers who prefer to stream local news and content on their smart TV, the KING 5+ app is your go-to free option. Since KONG and KING-TV are owned by the same company, the app provides a seamless way to access a ton of their shared content.
How to Watch: Download the KING 5+ app from the app store on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or other smart TV platform.
What You Get: This app is completely free to use. It offers a live stream of KING 5 news and a library of on-demand content, including segments from KONG TV's local shows. This is the ultimate tool for keeping up with local news and events on demand without paying a dime.
3. Low-Cost Streaming for Seattle Sports Fans
If you're a dedicated fan of Seattle sports, streaming KONG TV is a must. The station is the official broadcast home for the Seattle Kraken, airing the majority of non-nationally televised games. These games are also streamed through a specific, low-cost platform.
How to Watch: Many of KONG's local sports broadcasts are also available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. If you already have a Prime membership, you can access these games at no additional cost. This provides a great live sports streaming option for fans who want to follow their favorite teams without a costly cable subscription.
4. Subscription Services: A More Comprehensive Cord-Cutting Solution
For viewers who want a full cable experience without the long-term contract, several live TV streaming services offer KONG TV as part of their channel lineup.
Which Services Have KONG? Major services like DIRECTV Stream and FuboTV typically include all local Seattle channels, including KONG, in their basic packages. While these services have a monthly fee, they are generally much cheaper than a traditional cable TV package. This is an ideal way to access KONG TV's programming and a wide variety of other channels in one place.
5. KONG TV and NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0)
KONG is also a leader in adopting new broadcast technology. It is one of the first stations in the Seattle market to broadcast in NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0), which offers a superior signal, better audio, and the potential for a stunning 4K entertainment experience. To watch KONG in this format, you'll need a compatible TV or a separate NextGen TV tuner. This is the future of free, over-the-air television.
Whether you choose a free antenna, a free streaming app, or a low-cost subscription, watching KONG TV has never been more accessible. You have the power to tailor your viewing experience to your budget and interests, making your digital media consumption both smarter and more affordable.
