How to Watch CNN Without Cable

Replacing cable shows and movies with on-demand services like Netflix is usually a no-brainer. But what about live programming, like cable news? CNN always has the latest of the biggest breaking stories, and if you're relying on on-demand streaming alone, you might be left out of the loop. That's why we're here with some next-level cord-cutting tips so that you can learn how to watch CNN without cable. In this article, we'll lay out your legal options for grabbing a CNN livestream, and we'll explain what the latest and greatest live TV streaming services are and how they work. Read on to learn how to watch CNN without cable!

Here are a few of our favorite ways to stream CNN:

	Price	Channels	Free Trial
#1	$69.99 – $139.99	65+	None	See Offer
#2	$5.99 – $85.96	68 – 88	7 or 30 days	See Offer
#3	$35 – $50	30+ – 130+	3 days	See Offer

You may already know that some channels, including major networks, are available over the air. But CNN is not one of these “broadcast channels” – which, until a few years ago, meant that news junkies were out of luck if they wanted to watch CNN without cable. But times change, and broadcast TV is no longer your only live TV option as a cord cutter: there are ways to get network TV channels, too.

The ways we're referring to comprise a group of services called “skinny bundles,” or a live TV streaming service. These services are different because of how they’re delivered, which is online. That means no regional monopolies, lower prices, and device support that allows you to stream on the go as well as at home. You should also know that there are no long-term contracts to sign when you grab one of these. Sounds a lot better than cable, right?

Not every skinny bundle service offers a CNN livestream, but several do, and that makes them the perfect solution to the dilemma of how to watch CNN without cable. Let's check out the reputable services that offer CNN below.

AT&T TV is AT&T's skinny bundle service. It offers multiple tiers of skinny bundle goodness and a CNN livestream, which makes AT&T TV a pretty flexible and affordable option for streaming CNN live. AT&T TV is a popular service and a great way to watch CNN.

Hulu + Live TV's channel selection includes a whole bunch of great channels, including CNN. Hulu is a great option for folks who want a mix of live TV and on-demand content, and it works well as a way to watch CNN without cable. You can give Hulu + Live TV a spin by checking out its free trial offer, which you can sign up for using the link just above this paragraph. For our opinion of the service, look no further than our Hulu + Live TV review.

Sling TV is designed to be flexible. Instead of choosing from bundles of various sizes and prices, Sling TV invites you to grab one (or both) of its two base packages and then build out a custom skinny bundle using add-on bundles called “Extras.” The result is a skinny bundle service that minimizes the number of channels you pay for but don't watch.

Sling TV bundles include lots of easy ways to get your hands on a CNN livestream. For more on Sling TV, read our review.

YouTube TV

Google's take on the skinny bundle service is YouTube TV, which boasts a robust selection of top channels — including, happily for us, CNN. For more on how YouTube TV measures up to the competition, check out our YouTube TV review. To test the service out for yourself, sign up for their week-long free trial.

You can watch CNN on all of those and more! News breaks all the time, so why would you only want to watch it when you’re at home? Watching a 24-hour news network around-the-clock is a bit much, but you can watch it when you want with great platform support like this. The chart below will give you the lowdown on exactly which devices you can use to watch CNN without cable.

So now you know how to watch CNN without cable, which means you’ve got the keys to checking out great CNN hosts like Anderson Cooper. But there are lots of news channel hosts out there, and if you like CNN, it’s worth checking out a few other options as well. Read on for some suggestions!

CNN watchers may also want to check on MSNBC occasionally. MSNBC is known for on-air personalities like Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, and Steve Kornacki. If you recognize Kornacki, it’s probably because of the serious online following he developed while the votes were still being counted in the 2020 election. MSNBC is still a good place to go for everything from live coverage of congressional hearings to in-depth reporting on the big issues of the day. If you like that sort of thing, take a look at our How to Watch MSNBC Without Cable page.

But people who like news can get burned out on it too. It’s mportant to stay informed, but sometimes that means watching a little news and then moving on to something else, like “The Mandalorian.” For a quick look at the day’s headlines, it’s worth turning to one of the evening network news broadcasts, such as NBC and CBS, which air 30-minute news programs on weekdays. If you’re a fan of Lester Holt’s gravitas, you’ll want to read our guide to watching “NBC Nightly News” without cable. David Muir on ABC is also a well-regarded journalist, and you can find out more about catching his nightly broadcasts on our How to Watch “ABC World News Tonight” Without Cable page.