In the Trump era, CNN has become an essential source of hard news and commentary on the administration. It’s becoming more esssential in 2020, as a number of Democratic presidential candidates are stepping up to challenge President Trump.
Thankfully, it’s never been easier to watch CNN online or find a CNN live stream.
Here’s how to watch a CNN live stream for free, as well as a complete guide to live TV streaming services that offer CNN.
How to stream CNN: Which streaming services carry CNN
All of the major live TV streaming services offer CNN in even their most basic packages. Here’s everything you need to know to watch CNN online.
| 7 Day Trial | FREE |
| Live TV +Hulu | $64.99 |
| Live TV +Hulu (no ads) | $70.99 |
Hulu Live TV is one of the most popular ways to stream live TV, perhaps because you gain access to a massive library of on-demand content including classic and current TV shows, movies, not to mention Hulu’s original programming. As far as live-streaming goes, you’ll have a ton of local, entertainment, and sports channels to flip through, including HGTV, a full suite of ESPN channels, Cartoon Network, FX, and even deep cuts like Nat Geographic and Syfy.
| Sling Orange | $35 |
| Sling Blue | $35 |
| Sling Orange & Blue | $50 |
For a more à la carte service, look to Sling TV. It offers two cable packages, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, each of which costs $35 per month. If you grab them both (Sling Orange + Blue) you can save $10 per month. Sling Blue offers more bang for your buck with over 40 channels, including sports necessities like FS1, NBCSN, and NFL Network. You’ll also gain access to the usual cable mainstays like Food Network, Discovery, Cartoon Network, SYFY, and FXX. Whichever package you choose, you can save $10 on your first month. Here’s the complete guide to Sling TV channels.
| Plus | $65 |
| Max | $80 |
| Ultimate | $135 |
There’s a good chance that you’re already looking to AT&T for your wireless needs. The second you sign up, you’ll gain instant access to 45+ channels, including local channels and even free HBO in the Plus and Max channel suites. Plus, it comes with CloudDVR, which lets you record up to 20 hours of TV per month. One account works on two devices, but you can add more devices for only $5.
| Monthly | $49.99 |
YouTube TV is a great solution for families because one subscription can add up to six accounts, and each account comes with unlimited cloud DVR. You can’t beat the variety, either: There are sports channels like NBCSN, NBA TV, and four ESPN channels, while Disney, Disney XD, Disney Junior, and Cartoon Network will keep any kid (or kid at heart) busy for hours. It also comes with a few Spanish-language channels like Telemundo and NBC Universo. AMC, BBC America, and IFC are there too, so you won’t miss out on all that prestige TV. (You can find the full list of YouTube TV channels here.)
CNN live stream: How to watch CNN online for free
There are some free options available for capturing CNN content, in case you’re not quite ready to switch to streaming but you’re away from your cable box for Iowa.
PlutoTV
- Devices: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, Android TV, Google Chromecast, PlayStation 4, select smart TVs, and iOS and Android devices
Pluto TV sounds too good to be true. It’s a completely free live TV service that offers quality news from CNN, CBS News, NBC News, Bloomberg Television, and Cheddar News. There are also a ton of options for free movies, sports, comedy, and geek-centric programming.
LiveNewsNow
You watch a free CNN live stream on LiveNewsNow, formerly known as LiveNewsOn. You can also tune in to news channels from around the world, including MSNBC and Fox News. What’s the catch? Well, let’s just say we won’t be surprised if this site gets shut down at some point, since it doesn’t appear to be authorized. It even makes it clear on its homepage that it’s “not affiliated with CNN, BBC News, or CNBC.” But in our limited amount of time on the site, we weren’t hit with any weird ads or popups, and the CNN live stream loaded effortlessly.
CNN
If you have a cable subscription or sign up for one of the live TV streaming options listed below, you can use your sign-in credentials to watch CNN straight from its homepage. Just click the tab in the upper right-hand corner that says Live TV. Otherwise, you’ll be limited to a 10-minute free preview (though I’ve had problems streaming via both Google Chrome and Safari). Otherwise, there are countless standalone videos from the day in news if there’s a particular event that you’re looking to follow.
TuneIn
This is technically a free CNN live stream, but there’s a catch: It’s audio-only. But if you’re commuting, it’s a great solution. TuneIn is also the best way to listen to CNN’s excellent collection of podcasts, including Anderson Cooper 360°, Cuomo Prime Time With Chris Cuomo, Erin Burnett OutFront, Fareed Zakaria GPS, Inside Politics, The Lead With Jake Tapper, and Reliable Sources With Brian Stelter.
CNN Go
Cost: Free to download. Access requires a cable of live TV streaming subscription
Devices: Apple TV, Apple tvOS, Samsung TV, Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, iPad, iOS and Android devices
Once you’re signed up with one of the services above, you can download CNN Go, the channel’s standalone app. It’s the easiest way to stay up-to-date with CNN, and the navigation is much more intuitive. It also makes it easier for you to find on-demand content, like its 2017 series, The History of Comedy.
New Channel Streaming Guides
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