They say “don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time,” but thousands of people spend a ton of their free time brushing up on true crime stories. If you’re one of the folks who devoured Serial, lamented the loss of I’ll Be Gone in the Dark author Michelle McNamara, or read Devil in the White City in a single night, then HLN is probably one of your favorite channels. Thankfully, watching HLN online, free from the hassle of cable companies, isn’t a mystery and doesn’t feel like murder. If you’re looking to cut the cord and get a streaming service, here’s everything you need to know to watch an HLN live stream for free.
What is HLN?
Owned by CNN, HLN airs your average news material by day. As things get darker, so does HLN’s programming, and it’s one of the key channels for murder investigations and true crime stories. It wasn’t always that way, as it acted more or less as “CNN 2” for the first two decades of its existence, and the likes of Nancy Grace and Glenn Beck graced HLN’s primetime desks. Since then, HLN has changed its programming to the aforementioned murder mystery and crime content. Some of the most popular HLN shows include How it Really Happened with Hill Harper, Forensic Files, and Something’s Killing Me, which is hosted by Jurassic World’s BD Wong.
HLN live stream: How to watch HLN online for free
Only a handful of major TV streaming services offer an HLN live stream. When trying to decide which one is best for you, you’ll want to weigh the cost, the other channels you’ll receive, and the compatible devices for streaming.
HLN on Sling TV
If you’re looking for a streamlined, cost-effective streaming package, check out Sling TV. It offers two basic cable packages, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, each of which costs $30 per month. There’s also the third option of getting Sling Orange + Blue for just $45 per month. You’ll get more Sling TV channels by choosing Sling Blue, with its 40 channels including sports favorites like FS1 and NBCSN and cable mainstays like Food Network and Discovery Channel. But Sling Orange brings must-haves Disney Channel and ESPN as part of its package. To watch HLN, you’ll either need Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue. Sling also has a number of add-ons, including robust international packages organized by languages all over the globe.
| Orange | $35 |
| Blue | $35 |
| Orange + Blue | $50 |
HLN on Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV is a great way to stream HLN live, as it comes with access to Hulu’s massive library of on-demand content. You’ll be able to choose from movies, shows, and Hulu’s original programming, and keep up with what’s new each month. Hulu plans even include a bundle option where you can access Disney+ and ESPN+ along with Hulu.
Hulu Live TV sets you up with local channels and has a broad spectrum of entertainment and sports channels to review, including the full suite of ESPN channels, FX, HGTV, and even deep cuts like National Geographic and Syfy, and of course, HLN.
| Hulu Live TV | $69.99 |
| Hulu Live TV (no ads on Hulu content) | $75.99 |
HLN on AT&T TV Now
If you’re already looking to AT&T for your wireless needs, you might consider AT&T TV Now to cover streaming for you. AT&T TV Now channels start with Plus and Max, which even include HBO. Then, AT&T plans expand from there, approaching cable selection and pricing with AT&T TV Now’s biggest packages. AT&T streaming also comes with Cloud DVR, letting you record up to 20 hours of TV per month. If you’re looking for HLN, get in at the AT&T TV Now Plus tier to stream it.
HLN on YouTube TV
The YouTube TV channel list includes local channels, sports options including ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, and NBA TV, and plenty to keep kids (and kids at heart) occupied, including Disney Channel and its companion channels, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network—all in one easy-to-access package. It even comes with a few Spanish-language channels like Telemundo and NBC Universo. YouTube add-ons include HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz. YouTube TV packages have some advantages over their competitors, including a generous DVR and multiple screens package. From one account, each user can create an individual profile to track favorite shows.
If you’re looking for HLN, know that you can stream it on YouTube TV.
| 1 Month | $64.99 |
Other ways to watch HLN online
HLN website and HLN to Go app
Like a lot of other channels, HLN can be live streamed via the channel’s website on any desktop or laptop, or by the iOS/Android app HLN to Go. Simply navigate to go.cnn.com/?stream=hln to access an HLN live stream. It’s free for the first 10 minutes, but after that you’ll need to log in using a service provider ID. Unfortunately, of the streaming services listed above, browser streaming appears to only be compatible with PlayStation Vue.
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