You’re sitting there, maybe with a coffee in hand or just getting home from work, and you need to know what’s happening in Rhode Island. Specifically, you want the local angle. WJAR, better known as NBC 10, has been the powerhouse in the Providence market for decades. But the way we watch turn to 10 live has changed so much that even people who grew up with the station are getting confused. You don't need a massive cable bill anymore. Honestly, you barely even need a TV.
The station, owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, is a staple for Southern New England. From the Cranston street corners to the docks in Newport, people rely on Gene Valicenti and the rest of the crew for everything from blizzard warnings to local political scandals. If you’re trying to catch the 6:00 PM broadcast or the late-night news, there are about five different ways to do it right now, and most of them are free.
The Most Reliable Ways to Access Turn to 10 Live Today
Believe it or not, the old-school way is making a massive comeback. If you live within 40 miles of Rehoboth, Massachusetts—where the WJAR transmitter is actually located—a simple digital antenna is your best friend. It’s a one-time purchase. No monthly fees. You get the crispest high-definition signal because it hasn't been compressed by a cable provider or a streaming app. It's just raw data flying through the air into your living room.
But maybe you're at the office. Or maybe you're one of the many Rhode Islanders who moved to Florida but still wants to know if it's snowing back home.
You should probably bookmark the "Watch Live" page on the official NBC 10 website. It’s the most direct route. They stream their news broadcasts live, though you'll often see a "we'll be right back" screen during the national commercials or syndicated programming like Jeopardy! because of licensing headaches. If you want the full experience including the NBC national feed, you have to look at the big streaming players.
Streaming Services That Actually Carry WJAR
Not every "Live TV" app is created equal. If you're looking for turn to 10 live, you need a service that has a specific carriage agreement with Sinclair.
- YouTube TV: This is arguably the most seamless. It carries WJAR in the Providence-New Bedford market. You get the local news, the local commercials (yes, even the personal injury lawyer ones), and the full NBC network slate.
- Hulu + Live TV: Very similar to YouTube TV. It’s reliable. It works on your phone. It has the local feed.
- FuboTV: Often marketed to sports fans, but it carries the local NBC affiliate here too.
- DirecTV Stream: If you want the experience that feels most like traditional cable, this is it.
What about Peacock? This is where people get tripped up. Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, but it doesn't always show your local affiliate live unless you are on the "Premium Plus" plan. Even then, sometimes the local news doesn't trigger correctly if your IP address is acting funky. It's a bit of a toss-up.
Why Local News Still Hits Different in Rhode Island
There is something uniquely visceral about local news in the smallest state. When there’s a "Storm Team 10" weather alert, the entire state stops. Chief Meteorologist Mark Dooley and the team aren't just talking about general regions; they are talking about specific intersections in Warwick or the exact time the tide is going to hit the sea wall in Narragansett.
That hyper-locality is why the search for turn to 10 live spikes every time there's a hint of a Nor'easter. People don't want The Weather Channel. They want the people who know what "The S-Curve" is.
WJAR has been around since 1949. It was the first television station in Rhode Island. That kind of legacy creates a deep-seated trust, or at least a deep-seated habit. Even if you disagree with their editorial choices or Sinclair's corporate oversight, they have the largest boots-on-the-ground reporting team in the region. When a big story breaks at the State House, they are usually the ones with the first live feed.
The App Ecosystem
If you haven't downloaded the "NBC 10 WJAR" app on your phone, you're doing it wrong. It’s surprisingly robust. It’s not just a wrapper for their website. They push out breaking news alerts that actually matter. It’s how most people I know stay connected to turn to 10 live while they are literally in line at CVS.
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Then there’s the "STIRR" app. This is a bit of a "pro-tip" for cord-cutters. Since Sinclair owns WJAR and also owns the STIRR streaming service, you can often find local news segments and live broadcasts there for free. It’s an ad-supported platform, so expect to see some commercials, but it’s a legal way to bypass a cable login.
Common Problems When Trying to Stream
Digital rights are a nightmare. You might find that you can watch the news fine, but as soon as Sunday Night Football or The Voice starts, the stream cuts out or says "content not available." This isn't a glitch. It's a legal wall.
Local stations only own the rights to broadcast their produced content (the news) over the internet in many cases. The big national shows are locked behind different contracts. If you want the "all-in-one" experience where the TV never turns off, you basically have to pay for one of the major streamers like YouTube TV or keep your Cox or Verizon Fios subscription.
Also, check your location settings. If your phone thinks you are in Boston, you're going to get WHDH or WBTS. You won't get NBC 10. Make sure your GPS is on and the app has permission to see where you are.
Social Media and the "Quick Fix"
Sometimes you don't need the whole broadcast. You just want the update. WJAR is incredibly active on Facebook Live. During major weather events or press conferences from the Governor, they often bypass their own app and just stream directly to Facebook. It’s fast, it’s free, and the comments section is usually a wild ride of local opinions.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you are tired of missing out on local coverage, stop relying on random links. Pick a lane and stick to it so you aren't scrambling when the power goes out or a big story breaks.
- Buy a $20 digital antenna. Seriously. Plug it into the back of your TV, run a "channel scan," and you'll likely find 10.1 in crystal clear HD. This is your fail-safe.
- Download the NBC 10 WJAR app. Turn on the "Breaking News" and "Weather" alerts. It's the fastest way to get a live feed link pushed directly to your lock screen.
- Check your existing subs. If you already pay for Paramount+ or Peacock, look closely at your tier. You might already have access to local live feeds and just haven't clicked the "Live" tab.
- Follow the anchors on X (Twitter). Reporters like Tamara Sacharczyk or Mario Hilario often post clips or links to live streams the second they go on air. It’s a great way to get the "Turn to 10 Live" experience without needing the full 30-minute block.
Local news is transitioning into a digital-first world, but the heart of it remains the same. It's about what's happening in your backyard. Whether you're watching on a 75-inch OLED or a cracked iPhone screen, the information is accessible if you know where to click.