ION is one of the most-watched TV channels in the U.S., and luckily, it’s also one of the easiest to get. Whether you have cable, satellite, a live TV streaming service, or even just an antenna, chances are you already have access to ION. But if not, free streaming platforms like Pluto TV and Tubi have you covered.
From Blue Bloods and Law & Order: SVU marathons to heart-racing episodes of Chicago Fire, ION delivers nonstop entertainment. Plus, with live NWSL and WNBA action, it’s not just ION’s crime dramas that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.
Fortunately, you don’t need the forensics skills of NCIS’s Abby Sciuto to crack the case on how to watch ION. In this guide, we’ll outline ION channel numbers and the best ways to tune in live and on demand.
What channel is ION on near me?
ION channel numbers vary by provider and location. In many big cities, you might even see multiple ION channels. But if you have DIRECTV or DISH, you’ll enjoy consistent national channel numbers.
Below, you’ll find a list of ION channel numbers for over 50 U.S. cities. If your city isn’t listed, enter your zip code into our service finder tool after the table to discover your local provider options.
ION channel numbers in major U.S. cities
| City | Local channel | Cox channel | DIRECTV channel | DISH channel | Optimum channel | Spectrum channel | Xfinity channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 4.6/19.4 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | — |
| Anchorage, AK | 4.5/33 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | — |
| Atlanta, GA | 14 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 11 | 12 |
| Austin, TX | 36.3 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 72 | — |
| Bakersfield, CA | 23.4 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 234 | — |
| Baltimore, MD | 2.5 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 20 |
| Boston, MA | 68 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 15 |
| Bronx, NY | 31 | — | 305 | 250 | 3 | 31 | — |
| Brooklyn, NY | 31 | — | 305 | 250 | 3 | 31 | — |
| Buffalo, NY | 51 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 18 | — |
| Charlotte, NC | 46.6 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 125 | — |
| Chicago, IL | 38 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 38 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 19.5 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 7 | — |
| Cleveland, OH | 23 | 2 | 305 | 250 | — | 10 | — |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 5.5/21.3 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 26 |
| Columbus, OH | 4.3 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 231 | — |
| Dallas, TX | 68 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 6 | — |
| Denver, CO | 59 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 17 |
| Detroit, MI | 31 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 16 |
| El Paso, TX | 7.3 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 19 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 35 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 16 |
| Fort Worth, TX | 68 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 6 | — |
| Fresno, CA | 7.4 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 79 |
| Honolulu, HI | 66 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 27 | — |
| Houston, TX | 49 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 7 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 63 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 6 | 17 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 21 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 12 |
| Kansas City, MO | 50 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 16 | — |
| Las Vegas, NV | 34.2 | 51 | 305 | 250 | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | 30 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 30 | — |
| Louisville, KY | 41.3 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 270 | — |
| Memphis, TN | 50 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 12 |
| Miami, FL | 35 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 16 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 55 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 15 | — |
| Minneapolis, MN | 41 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 20 |
| Nashville, TN | 28 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 17 |
| New Orleans, LA | 49 | 49 | 305 | 250 | — | — | — |
| New York, NY | 51 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 18 | — |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 62 | 17 | 305 | 250 | — | — | — |
| Orlando, FL | 56 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 4 | 16 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 61 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 61 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 51 | 18 | 305 | 250 | — | — | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 16 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 16 |
| Portland, OR | 22 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 5 |
| Sacramento, CA | 29 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 11 |
| St. Louis, MO | 46 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 7 | — |
| St. Paul, MN | 41 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 3 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 16/16.4 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 16 |
| San Antonio, TX | 26 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 2 | — |
| San Diego, CA | 69.4 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 71 | — |
| San Francisco, CA | 65 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 16 |
| San Jose, CA | 65 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 16 |
| Seattle, WA | 33 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 3 |
| Tampa, FL | 66 | — | 305 | 250 | — | 17 | 2 |
| Tucson, AZ | 9.5 | 99 | 305 | 250 | — | — | — |
| Washington, DC | 66 | — | 305 | 250 | — | — | 33 |
Data effective as of post date.
Get ION with cable or satellite TV
ION and other Scripps channels are available through most cable and satellite TV providers. If you’re shopping for a traditional TV service, we highly rate these four providers with ION access.
| Provider | Price | ION | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | $74.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $86.99–$116.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| Spectrum | $45.00–$105.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ |
Read Xfinity review |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Get ION with a live TV streaming service
Many live TV streaming services include ION in their base packages, so no costly upgrades are needed. Hulu + Live TV and Philo are the primary services that don’t carry ION, while Sling TV offers it for free through its Freestream offshoot.
Below are five services that give you ION access across their standard plans.
| Provider | Price | ION | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV STREAM | $74.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| Frndly TV | $6.99–$10.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Frndly TV review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo review |
| Sling TV | Free–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Watch ION completely free online
You don’t need a TV subscription to enjoy ION’s lineup of crime dramas and live sports. The channel is available on several free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platforms, many of which don’t even require an account. You can also watch live at IONTelevision.com or through the ION app, making it easy to tune in while on the go.
Many newer smart TVs from brands like LG, Samsung, and TCL feature built-in access to ION through their own FAST services. In other words, you might already have a free way to watch ION without needing another app. Here’s a list of the main FAST platforms that offer ION.
- Amazon Fire TV Channels
- Amazon Freevee
- Google TV
- LG Channels
- Plex
- Pluto TV
- Samsung TV Plus
- Sling Freestream
- Tablo TV
- TCL Channel
- TCLtv+
- The CW app
- The Roku Channel
- Tubi
- Vizio WatchFree+
- Xumo Play
Get ION with an antenna
Looking to watch ION without internet? A trusty over-the-air (OTA) antenna can get you complete ION access for free—no TV or internet subscription needed.
Before you go the antenna route, you must make sure an ION affiliate is available in your area. You can check that by running your zip code through the FCC’s Reception Map Tool or Antenna Direct’s TV Transmitter Locator.
One antenna we can’t get enough of is the Mohu Leaf 50. It’s budget-friendly, easy to install, and can pick up signals 60 miles away when positioned just right. For more top antenna picks and pro setup tips, explore our Best OTA Antennas guide. You’ll be hooked on ION in no time!
What’s on ION?
Dramas
- Blue Bloods
- Bones
- Bull
- Chicago Fire
- Chicago P.D.
- Criminal Minds
- FBI
- Hawaii Five-0
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Magnum P.I.
- NCIS
- NCIS: Los Angeles
- NCIS: New Orleans
Sports
Through Scripps Sports, ION broadcasts regular-season NWSL and WNBA games in dedicated time slots throughout the year. Saturday Night Soccer delivers NWSL doubleheaders every Saturday from March to October, while WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION runs weekly from May to September.
Additionally, ION affiliates and substations in Las Vegas, Miami, and Salt Lake City carry in-market NHL games of the Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Hockey Club, and Florida Panthers, respectively.
What is ION TV?
ION is a broadcast TV network and FAST channel known for airing reruns of procedural dramas, crime shows, and other acquired series. It launched in 1998 as PAX TV and rebranded to i: Independent Television in 2005 before becoming ION Television in 2007.
After acquiring ION in 2021, the E. W. Scripps Company gradually shifted the network toward a broader entertainment focus. This change became more apparent in 2024 when ION began showing live NWSL and WNBA games.
What channel is ION on FAQ
Is ION on Hulu?
No, ION isn’t available on Hulu + Live TV. Fortunately, you can still stream the channel for free through platforms like Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Samsung TV Plus.
Is ION Plus a free channel?
Yes, ION Plus is one of ION’s free spin-off channels. While not as widely available across cable and satellite providers, ION Plus and ION Mystery are available through several free streaming platforms.
