When it comes to breaking news, few channels can match up to CNN. It has local, national, and international coverage down pat, not to mention it's on 24/7 and hosted by some of the country's most trusted journalists, including Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour.
In the past, CNN only came with expensive cable packages, but thankfully, these days, it's just as easy to access for cord-cutters.
To get CNN live without cable, you sign up for any of the live TV streaming services that carry it. They usually differ by price, free trial offers, and channel lineups, so make sure you pick the right one by reading our brief guide below.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream is a streaming service that offers everything from live TV, local channels, on-demand films, sports packages, and even premium cable networks like HBO and Starz for an additional fee. Its plans, which start at $70/month, are on the pricier side of live TV, but that’s because it offers unlimited DVR and streams on top of at least 75 channels, depending on the plan you pick.
How much does DirecTV Stream cost?
$86.99/monthDoes DirecTV Stream have a Free Trial?
5 days
Which channels are on DirecTV Stream?
A&E, ABC, ACC Network, AccuWeather, AMC, American Heroes, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, Aspire, AXS TV, BabyFirst, BBC America, BBC News, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bounce, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, CNBC, CNBC World, CNN, CNN En Español, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cooking Channel, Cozi TV, daystar, Destination America, Directv 4K, Directv 4K Live 1, Directv 4K Live 2, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, Earthx TV, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FanDuel TV, FM, FMC, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, Fuse, FX, FX Movie Channel, FXX, FYI, Great American Family, Grit, Hallmark Channel, HBO, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, HLN, Hogar de HGTV, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Jewelry TV, Justice Central, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, MeTV, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV2, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, Newsmax, Newsmax TV, NewsNation, NFL Network, NHL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Origin Sports, Ovation, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS Kids, Pop, PowerNation, Pursuit, QVC, QVC2, QVC3, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, Science Channel, Scientology Network, SEC Network, Shop LC, ShortsTV, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, SportsGrid, Sportsman Channel, Starz, Starz Encore, Starz Encore Action, Starz Encore Black, Starz Encore Classic, Starz Encore Family, Starz Encore Suspense, Starz Encore Westerns, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Tennis Channel, The Design Network, The Grio, TLC, TNT, Tru TV, TUDN, TV Land, TV One, TVG, Unimas, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, UPtv, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tvSling TV
Slings TV is a relatively affordable and wide-ranging live TV streaming service that has three main plans: the family-friendly Sling Orange, the sports-and-news-focused Sling Blue, and the comprehensive Sling Orange + Blue. The latter has a total of 46 channels, including IFC, TNT, and MGM, plus cloud DVR and simultaneous streams. You can also add multiple add-ons, like the Sports Extra, the News Extra, and the International Extra, to enhance your base package.
How much does Sling TV cost?
$40/month
Which channels are on Sling TV?
A&E, ABC, AMC, AXS TV, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg Television, Bounce, Bravo, Cartoon Network, Charge!, CNN, Comedy Central, Comet, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, E!, EPIX Drive-In, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2, ESPN3, FETV, Food Network, FOX, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 1, Freeform, Fuse, FX, HGTV, History, HLN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, Investigation Discovery, Laff, Lifetime, Local Now, MGM+, MotorTrend, MSNBC, National Geographic, NBC, NBC local channels, NFL Network, Nick Jr., QVC, Sling Scapes, SYFY, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, USA, USA Network, Vice, WE tvHulu with Live TV
Combining the best of streaming and cable, Hulu with Live TV pairs Hulu’s original programming like Only Murders in the Building, imports like Normal People, and licensed ABC shows like Modern Family with live TV channels like CNN, CBS, and TCM to give you an all-in-one TV package. The plans start at $77/month (with ads), but for an additional fee, you can upgrade to a bundle that removes commercials and throws in Disney+ and ESPN+ to the mix.
How much does Hulu with Live TV cost?
$76.99/monthDoes Hulu with Live TV have a Free Trial?
3 days
Which channels are on Hulu with Live TV?
A&E, ABC, ABC Localish, ABC News Live, ACC Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, BET, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg Television, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar News, CMT, CNBC, CNN, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cozi TV, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Discovery en Español, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN College Extra, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox Deportes, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, History, HLN, Investigation Discovery, Justice Central TV, Lifetime, LMN, Localish, Military History Channel, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, NASA, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBC, NBC News Now, NBCLX, NewsNation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, QVC, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, Start TV, SYFY, TBS, TCM, Telemundo, The CW, The Grio, The Weather Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, TV Land, Universal Kids, USA, VH1, ViceYouTube TV
Often dubbed as the best cordless replacement to cable, YouTube TV is a live TV streaming platform that gives you access to more than 100 channels, sporting events, local channels, unlimited DVR space, and up to three simultaneous streams. But what really gives YouTube TV its edge is customization; depending on your needs, you can easily add premium channels like HBO, sports channels like NFL Redzone, and Spanish channels like Unimas to your preferred lineup.
How much does YouTube TV cost?
$72.99/monthDoes YouTube TV have a Free Trial?
7 days
Which channels are on YouTube TV?
ABC, ABC News, ACCN, Adult Swim, AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bounce, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar, Cheddar News, CMT, CNBC, CNBC World, CNN, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Comet, Court TV, Cozi TV, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Docurama, Dove Channel, E!, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, Galavision, Game Show Network, Get TV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, HLN, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Justice Central TV, LAFC Channel, Law & Crime, Live Now, Local Now, Localish, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV2, My TV, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, NBC, NBC local channels, NBC News Now, NBC Universo, NBCLX, NBCSN, NECN, NewsNation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Orlando City Channel, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS, PBS Kids, PBS local channels, PC Mag, Pop, QVC, Recipe.TV, Scripps News, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SNY, Start TV, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBS, TCM, Teen Nick, TeleHit, Telemundo, The CW, The Great Courses, The Weather Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, Tru TV, TV Land, TYT, Unimas, Unimas local channels, Universal Kids, Univision, Univision local channels, USA, VH1, WE tvSpectrum TV Stream
Spectrum TV Stream is the internet provider's most affordable TV plan yet. At $40/month, it offers cable channels like CNN, TCM, and Disney, but notably, it does not include sports and local channels in its catalog. For that, you'd have to look at Spectrum's other plans, like Spectrum TV Choice. TV Stream is only available for Spectrum internet users, and to date, it has yet to offer a free trial. It may not sound like it has a lot going for it, but TV Stream is actually a great option for Spectrum customers looking for leaner (read: sports-less) TV packages that can conveniently be paid along with the internet.
How much does Spectrum TV Stream cost?
$39.99/month
Which channels are on Spectrum TV Stream?
A&E, AMC, American Heroes, Animal Planet, Aspire, AXS TV, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, BET Jams, BET Soul, Bloomberg, Boomerang, Cars.TV, Cartoon Network, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, CMT Music, CNN, CNN International, Comedy Central, Cooking Channel, Crime-Investigation, Destination America, Discovery Life, Disney Channel, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News, Fox Weather, FX, FYI, Game Show Network, Great American Family, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Family, Hallmark Mystery, HDNet Movies, HGTV, History, HLN, HSN, HSN2, IFC, INSP, Investigation Discovery, Jewelry TV, Justice Central, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, Military History Channel, MotorTrend, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV Life, MTV2, MTVu, National Geographic, Newsmax TV, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, NickMusic Nicktoons, Outdoor Channel, OWN, Paramount Network, Pets.TV, QVC, QVC2, Recipe.TV, Science Channel, Spectrum News, Spectrum Originals, Sundance TV, TCM, TeenNick, The Weather Channel, theGrio, TLC, Travel Channel, truTV, TV Land, TV One, UPtv, VH1, Vice, WE tvSling TV with All Extras
Sling TV offers Orange, Blue, and various specific package options like Sports and Entertainment extras if you want to bling out on extra channels. Orange offers 34 channels including Disney Channel and ESPN, while Blue offers a little more at 42 channels including MSNBC and Fox News. Each go for $40/month, but together go for $55/month with 46 channels. Plus, you even get $25 off of your first month, making Sling TV (and its various extras) one of the most affordable plans to consider.
How much does Sling TV with All Extras cost?
$61/month
Which channels are on Sling TV with All Extras?
A&E, ACC Network, AMC, American Heroes, American Heroes Channel, AXS TV, BBC America, BBC World News, Bein Sports, beIN Sports en Español, BET, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bounce, Bravo, Cartoon Network, Charge!, CMT, CNBC, CNN, Comedy Central, Comet, Cooking Channel, Destination America, Discovery Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FETV, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, Fuse, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Game Show Network, Golf Channel, Great American Family, Great American Living, Grit, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HDNet Movies, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, HLN, IFC, INSP, Investigation Discovery, Laff, Law & Crime, Lifetime, LMN, Local Now, Logo, Longhorn Network, Magnolia Network, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV2, Nat Geo Mundo, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, Newsmax, NewsNation, NFL Network, NFL Redzone, NHL Network, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, Outdoor Channel, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pursuit, QVC, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, Science Channel, SEC Network, Sportsman Channel, Start TV, Starz, Starz Encore, Starz Encore Action, Starz Encore Black, Starz Encore Classic, Starz Encore Family, Starz Encore Suspense, Starz Encore Westerns, Sundance TV, SYFY, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Tennis Channel, The Cowboy Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, TV Land, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tv, Willow TV, World Fishing NetworkDirecTVStream Optimo Más
DirecTVStream's Spanish-language plan boasts a hundred channels, including major networks like Univision and Telemundo in select markets, and plenty of Hispanicized favorites like Nat Geo Mundo, CNN es Español, and Hogar de HGTV. At $80/month, Optimo Más is a lot pricer than other Spanish plans like Fubo Latino, which goes for about $35/month, but it generally has more channels (in Spanish and English alike) and offers great features like three simultaneous streams and unlimited DVR. Unlike with DirecTV cable, you can easily cancel your subscription with the contract-less Optimo Más if you're not satisfied.
How much does DirecTVStream Optimo Más cost?
$79.99/monthDoes DirecTVStream Optimo Más have a Free Trial?
5 days
Which channels are on DirecTVStream Optimo Más?
¡HOLA! TV, A&E, AccuWeather, AMC, Animal Planet, Antena 3, Atres Cine, ATRES SERIES, AXS TV, BabyFirst, BabyTV, Bandamax, Boomerang, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Canal 22 Internacional, Caracol TV, Cartoon Network, Centroamérica TV, Cine Estelar, Cine Mexicano, Cine Nostalgia, Cine Sony, Cinelatino, CNN, CNN En Español, CNNi, De Película, De Película Clásico, Discovery, Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia, Disney Channel, Disney XD, E!, Ecuador TV, Ecuavisa Internacional, Enlace, ESPN Deportes, Estrella News, Estrella TV, Food Network, FOROtv, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports 1, Freeform, FX, FXX, Galavisión, GolTV, Great American Family, History, History en Español, HITN TV, HLN, Hogar de HGTV, HSN, Jewelry TV, Lifetime, Meganoticias, MegaTV, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, Multimedios, Nat Geo Mundo, National Geographic, Nickelodeon, NTN24, Nuestra Tele, Nuestra Vision, ONCE MEXICO, Paramount TV, Pasiones, PBS Kids, Perú Mágico, QVC, QVC2, Scientology Network, Shop LC, SUR Perú, TBS, TeenNick, TeleCentro, Telefe, Telemundo, TNT, Tr3s, TUDN, TV Chile, TVE, TyC Sports, UniMás, Universo, Univision, UPtv, USA Network, VePlus, VH1, Vice, VideoRola, ViendoMovies, Vme, WAPA América 414, Weather Channel, ZooMooDirecTV Stream Ultimate
DirecTV Stream Ultimate is the second-biggest package offered by DirecTV Stream. With it, you get up to 160 channels (up 40 channels from the previous tier) across entertainment, sports, and news. That’s almost any channel you can think of—from TBS and USA; to ESPN and CBS Sports; to CNN and BBC News; and so much more. You get it all, plus tens of thousands of on-demand titles for the price of $109.99/month (saving you roughly $40/month from the package after it), so if the budget allows, it's worth trying the Ultimate plan yourself.
How much does DirecTV Stream Ultimate cost?
$109.99/monthDoes DirecTV Stream Ultimate have a Free Trial?
5 days