If you‘re a DirecTV subscriber wondering "what channel is NBC on near me?", you‘ve come to the right place. Having quick access to NBC programming is crucial for viewers wanting to catch NBC‘s popular shows, news programs, live sports and more.
This guide will provide you with everything you need to swiftly find the NBC channel on DirecTV regardless of where you live. You‘ll also gain deeper insight into NBC itself – the personalities behind the scenes, milestone events, and how the network stacks up against long-time rivals in 2023 and beyond.
Why Is Knowing the NBC Channel Number So Important?
Since first pioneering television broadcasting in 1939, NBC has cemented itself as a centerpiece of America‘s TV landscape. Today, NBC ranks as one of the "Big Three" leaders in broadcast TV alongside stalwarts ABC and CBS.
For TV fans, locating NBC in their channel lineup is essential to catch must-see programming. By quickly navigating to the local NBC station, viewers can enjoy:
- Hit primetime shows like Law & Order, Chicago Fire, La Brea and more
- Late night comedy via Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show and Late Night
- Morning news, talk shows and weather updates on Today
- Live sports like NFL football, golf, Olympics, horse racing and more
But with channel positions varying from market to market on DirecTV, many need help pinpointing exactly where to find NBC.
Use this guide as your NBC channel finder and reference point for essential context on NBC as a network.
A Brief History of America‘s Oldest Broadcasting Company
NBC‘s journey to becoming a fixture of American television began nearly a century ago.
- 1926 – NBC is formed as America‘s first nationwide radio network under parent company RCA
- 1939 – NBC expands into TV broadcasting, airing first baseball game at start of WWII
- 1950s – Rapid growth for NBC TV with new shows like The Tonight Show and Howdy Doody
- 1970s – NBC cements itself as king of late night TV, adding Saturday Night Live
- 1980s/90s – Network ratings skyrocket with hit shows like The Cosby Show, Cheers, Seinfeld and ER
- 2000s – Reality competitions become big draw for NBC with debut of The Voice
- 2010s – NBCUniversal formed under new owner Comcast, Peacock streaming service launches
Today, NBC boasts an unfaded popularity across DirecTV and other TV providers thanks to a balanced array of programming. From sitcoms and dramas to news magazines and reality contests, NBC continues innovating almost 100 years since its launch.
Next, let‘s reveal exactly where to find NBC in DirecTV channel lineups across the country.
Where to Find NBC on DirecTV: Channel Lookup By Market
Contrary to popular belief, NBC is not on just one universal channel on DirecTV. Local NBC station channels vary from market to market.
Use the guide below to uncover NBC‘s assigned channel based on your location and metro area.
NBC Channel Number on DirecTV – Major Cities
| City | State | NBC Channel on DirecTV |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | CA | 4 |
| New York | NY | 4 |
| Chicago | IL | 5 |
| Philadelphia | PA | 10 |
| Dallas/Ft.Worth | TX | 5 |
| San Francisco | CA | 11 |
| Washington DC | DC | 4 |
| Boston | MA | 7 |
| Atlanta | GA | 11 |
| Phoenix | AZ | 12 |
| Detroit | MI | 4 |
| Seattle | WA | 5 |
| Minneapolis | MN | 11 |
| Denver | CO | 9 |
Expanded Metro NBC Channel Listing on DirecTV
For a more comprehensive lookup, consult the expanded metro area channel list below:
| Designated Market Area | State | NBC Channel on DirecTV |
|---|---|---|
| New York | NY | 4 |
| Los Angeles | CA | 4 |
| Chicago | IL | 5 |
| Philadelphia | PA | 10 |
| Dallas-Ft. Worth | TX | 5 |
| San Francisco | CA | 11 |
| Washington DC | DC | 4 |
| Houston | TX | 2 |
| Boston | MA | 7 |
| Atlanta | GA | 11 |
| Phoenix | AZ | 12 |
| Detroit | MI | 4 |
| Seattle | WA | 5 |
| Minneapolis | MN | 11 |
| Miami | FL | 6 |
| Denver | CO | 9 |
| Orlando | FL | 2 |
| Cleveland | OH | 3 |
| Sacramento | CA | 3 |
| St. Louis | MO | 5 |
| Portland | OR | 8 |
| Pittsburgh | PA | 11 |
| Raleigh-Durham | NC | 17 |
| Charlotte | NC | 36 |
| Indianapolis | IN | 13 |
| San Diego | CA | 4 |
| Nashville | TN | 4 |
| Hartford | CT | 3 |
| Salt Lake City | UT | 5 |
| Kansas City | MO | 5 |
| Columbus | OH | 4 |
| Cincinnati | OH | 5 |
| Milwaukee | WI | 4 |
| San Antonio | TX | 4 |
Not seeing your city? Use NBC‘s Channel Finder tool by entering your zip code to pinpoint your area‘s NBC channel position.
Or consult your on-screen DirecTV channel guide and scroll to locate your regional NBC station.
Now let‘s explore NBC‘s programming and how it stacks up to the competition in 2023.
Sampling NBC‘s Award-Winning Programming
Beyond knowing where to find NBC, it‘s also good to know what kinds of shows air on the network once you get there.
NBC provides a balanced programming mix ranging from primetime dramas and late night comedy to morning news and live sporting events.
Here‘s a sampling of standout NBC shows by genre:
NBC Dramas
Veteran TV producer Dick Wolf rules NBC‘s drama slate with multiple successful franchises:
- Law & Order universe (Special Victims Unit, Organized Crime, original series)
- Chicago universe (Fire, P.D., Med)
- New Amsterdam
- La Brea
Racking up Emmy nods and strong viewership, these NBC dramas continue captivating audiences.
Late Night Comedy on NBC
NBC has reinvented late night TV for decades, currently airing A-list hosts:
- Saturday Night Live (airing since 1975)
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Late Night with Seth Meyers
In total, NBC‘s late night comedy lineup has won 78 Emmy Awards and counting (4).
NBC dominates late night ratings, especially among adults age 18-49. Source: Programming Insider
NBC News and Talk Programs
For morning and afternoon viewers, NBC delivers hourly news along and insightful talk through popular staples like:
- Today
- NBC Nightly News
- Meet the Press
- Dateline NBC
And the network covers weather events through its regional NBC StormRanger meteorologist team.
Live Sports on NBC
While NBC Sports handles some overflow sports content, NBC provides live sports action too including:
- NFL football games
- Golf tournaments
- Wimbledon tennis
- Olympics coverage
- Horse racing
- NASCAR auto racing
This diverse programming mix across genres showcases NBC‘s enduring versatility despite massive industry shifts. But how does NBC‘s portfolio measure up among other major networks in 2023?
NBC vs. Other Networks in 2023: Who‘s Leading the Ratings?
While upstarts like Fox and newcomers like the CW have made waves, NBC remains glued to ABC and CBS the "Big Three" leaders in broadcast TV by key metrics:
- Average total viewers – NBC trails only CBS as the #2 most-watched TV network
- Demo ratings – #2 behind ABC for coveted ad-friendly adults 18-49 demographic
- Household ratings – Again #2 overall in % of American homes tuning in
Digging deeper, NBC leads key slots like late night programming (Tonight Show, SNL) where CBS/ABC air mostly local newscasts. The network also continues gaining traction among younger audiences via The Voice and internet-popular shows like The Office.
All signs point toward NBC sustaining its "must see TV" branding. But the network faces fierce streaming competition luring cord cutters from traditional TV.
NBC in the Streaming Age: Challenges and Opportunities
From Netflix to Disney+ and beyond, video streaming has undeniably disrupted linear television networks like NBC. But NBC stands better positioned than most to evolve amidst this digital revolution.
NBC‘s parent company NBCUniversal has taken an active role in streaming through services like:
- Peacock – NBCUniversal‘s flagship streaming service with NBC shows, movies, news, sports
- Hulu – 32% stake owned by NBCU with ads and on-demand NBC content
These streaming outlets help NBC monetize online audiences, while granting cord cutters access to NBC programming they‘d otherwise miss without pay TV.
Strategic partnerships also bolster NBC‘s prospects, evidenced by its central role in Hulu + Live TV. NBC‘s expanding sports rights portfolio through NBC Sports and Golf Channel helps hedge against losing Olympics broadcasting after 2032.
And recent NBCU leadership changes bringing digital experience suggest a sharpened streaming focus that can usher NBC into the next era.
In summary, NBC looks well-equipped to retain its spot as a "Big Three" TV torchbearer regardless what the future holds.
Go Find NBC on DirecTV and Tune In Tonight!
We‘ve covered a lot of ground here. Now equipped with both your local NBC channel number and rich background context on NBC, you have all you need to start watching NBC classics old and new via your DirecTV subscription.
Here‘s a quick recap of what we learned:
- NBC is currently one of America‘s top-rated networks as the #2 most-watched broadcaster
- NBC channel numbers vary by city and region on DirecTV, so check your live guide
- With acclaimed dramas, late night comedy, news and sports, NBC offers leading programming
- The future looks bright for NBC despite industry shifts thanks to streaming assets like Peacock
So enter your NBC channel into DirecTV tonight and soak in the laughs, dramatic twists, breaking news and big game excitement only NBC can deliver.
You now have the inside scoop on locating NBC in your market. Happy viewing!
