STREAMING GUIDE
CNN Livestream: How to Watch CNN Online Without Cable
Here's how to get CNN livestreams at home — even if you don't have cable
Oscar Hartzog
Contact Oscar Hartzog by Email
- How to Watch ‘The Assembly’ Canada Season 2 Online In the U.S.
- Canelo vs. Mbilli Livestream: How to Watch the Boxing Fight Online In the U.S.
- Florida vs. Georgia Livestream: How to Watch the Rivalry Football Game Online Free
View all posts by Oscar Hartzog
April 8, 2026
Add us as a Google Preferred Source
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Keeping up with the news is as crucial as it’s ever been, and CNN’s broadcasts are still an authoritative source of information. From Anderson Cooper 360 to CNN NewsNight With Abby Phillip to The Lead With Jake Tapper, the cable giant’s extensive list of news programs is among the most popular in the country. Plus, CNN regularly shows specials and events like its New Year’s Eve coverage.
At a Glance: How to Watch CNN Online
- Stream: DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling
Looking to stream CNN online? Here’s a brief guide on how to access CNN through digital platforms, including an option to enjoy CNN content for free.
How to Watch CNN Without Cable
If you don’t have cable, the best way to watch CNN online is to get a live TV streaming service that carries the channel. DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling are four of our favorite streaming services that offer CNN livestreams. Here’s a breakdown of pricing and free trial information for these services.
Note: All of these streaming services will let you connect to CNN.com livestreams. Just head to the website, log in with your streaming service account credentials, and watch CNN livestreams online at no additional cost.
DirecTV
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ Packages with CNN starting at $39.99/month
DirecTV is our top pick for live TV streaming without cable, offering a range of packages for different viewing needs. Packages with CNN start at just $39.99 a month, and you can get a five-day free trial on all plans. DirecTV also carries all other major news networks, including MSNBC, Fox News, and local channels.
Hulu + Live TV
➤ Three-day free trial
➤ Packages with CNN starting at $89.99/month
You can also watch CNN without cable using Hulu + Live TV. We’re big fans of Hulu + Live TV’s comprehensive streaming package, which costs $89.99 a month and provides access to over 95 live TV channels, the entire Hulu on-demand library, as well as ESPN and Disney+. Plus, it starts with a three-day free trial. Other news channels on Hulu + Live TV include Fox News, MS Now, and local networks.
Sling
$45.99
➤ Packages with CNN starting at $45.99/month
➤ One-day, three-day, and seven-day passes starting at $4.99
➤ No free trial
Sling is the budget-friendly choice for live TV streaming, and it offers CNN as part of its Orange, Blue, and Orange + Blue packages. Monthly pricing starts at $45.99, but Sling also offers short-term passes: a one-day pass for $4.99, a three-day pass for $9.99, and a seven-day pass for $14.99. Just like the two above, Sling offers other news channels, including MSNBC, local networks, and Fox News
How to Watch CNN Online for Free
DirecTV and Hulu + Live TV both offer free trials, which you can use to access CNN livestreams for free for a limited time. DirecTV’s free trial lasts five days, and Hulu + Live TV’s lasts for three. Both of these will let you watch CNN for free — as long as you cancel before the trial ends — and make a great option for individual events or specials on CNN.
In this article:
More News
-
Best Speakers for Small Apartments That Still Bring Big Sound
- Gear Guide
-
By
-
Dr. Martens Just Dropped 'Exorcist' Boots Ahead of the New Movie, and We're Possessed
- The Devil's in the Details
-
Inside BOYNEXTDOOR’s Bags as They Get Ready for Their First North American Tour
- Interview
-
The New ‘ACOTAR’ Book Is Finally Here, and Amazon Is Discounting the Original Series to Celebrate
- New Release
-
From Artist-Approved Headphones to Diamonds and Decor, Here Are 18 Luxury Gifts Worth Giving This Year
- high end holiday
-
By
Top stories newsletter
A Cultural Force That Transcends Generations
Enter your Email
By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services.