Quick Facts
| Capital | Dover |
| Approx. Population | 1.02 million |
| Time Zone | Eastern |
| Major Cities | Wilmington, Dover, Newark |
Delaware Has No Media Market of Its Own
This genuinely sets Delaware apart from almost every other state: it doesn't have a single Nielsen-designated media market centered within its own borders. The entire state is split between two out-of-state markets instead.
| Philadelphia DMA | Rank #5 nationally · ~3.15 million TV households · covers New Castle & Kent counties (northern/central Delaware) |
| Salisbury–Dover ("Delmarva") | Rank #143 · covers Sussex County (southern Delaware), shared with Maryland |
Practically speaking, this means most Delaware residents — including those in Wilmington, the state's largest city — actually watch Philadelphia's local news and network affiliates rather than any Delaware-specific station, since Philadelphia's stations are what's officially assigned to their county.
Local Network Affiliates
| Northern/Central DE (Philadelphia DMA) | KYW "CBS3", WPVI "6abc", WCAU "NBC10", WTXF "FOX29" — all licensed to Philadelphia; WHYY-TV (PBS) is the one major public station actually headquartered in Wilmington |
| Southern DE (Salisbury–Dover DMA) | WBOC-TV (CBS/FOX combined), WRDE-LD (NBC), WMDT (ABC) |
Free G-League Basketball on Delaware Airwaves
Genuinely good news for local basketball fans: the Delaware Blue Coats — the Philadelphia 76ers' NBA G League affiliate, based in Wilmington — partnered with the Delmarva Sports Network to broadcast games completely free over-the-air across the Delmarva Peninsula for the 2025-2026 season, playing out of Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington. It's a nice example of genuinely free, legal local sports content available with just an antenna.
Legal Streaming Services for Live Sports & Movies
If you're setting up streaming in Delaware, these are the major legal, subscription-based services worth comparing — and it's worth checking which local channels they deliver based on whether you're in the Philadelphia or Salisbury-Dover side of the state:
| YouTube TV | Delivers local affiliates based on your registered address's DMA; movie add-ons via Max, Starz, and Showtime bundles |
| Hulu + Live TV | Local network affiliates plus the full Hulu on-demand movie library included |
| Fubo | Strong sports channel lineup, useful for Philadelphia-area teams |
| Sling TV | Lower-cost entry with separate "Sports" and "Comedy/Movies" add-on packages |
Local Sports & Streaming Culture
Delaware doesn't host a major NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL franchise of its own, so residents overwhelmingly follow Philadelphia's professional teams — the Eagles, 76ers, Phillies, and Flyers — given the state's inclusion in the Philadelphia media market. For general blackout rules on how regional coverage works, see our RSN blackout guide.
Getting Free Local Channels via Antenna
Delaware's small size and flat terrain make it one of the more antenna-friendly states in the country, especially in New Castle County given its proximity to Philadelphia's transmitters. See our full antenna & OTA guide for picking the right type.
Choosing a Streaming Device in Delaware
Device setup itself works the same everywhere — internet speed matters more than location. For smooth HD streaming, aim for at least 15–25 Mbps per active stream; for 4K, closer to 25–50 Mbps. Not sure which device fits your household? Our device comparison guide breaks down Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and Google TV.
Quick Questions Delawareans Ask
| Why don't I get any Delaware-specific news stations? | Delaware has no market of its own — you're assigned to either the Philadelphia or Salisbury-Dover DMA depending on your county. |
| Can I watch the Blue Coats for free? | Yes — their 2025-2026 season games air free over-the-air via the Delmarva Sports Network. |
| Which pro teams do most Delawareans follow? | Overwhelmingly Philadelphia's teams — the Eagles, 76ers, Phillies, and Flyers — given the state's inclusion in that media market. |