You can watch CBC News live for free in the US on Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel and Tubi, which all carry CBC’s free “CBC News” streaming channel. In Canada, that same free channel is on CBC Gem, the CBC News app, Pluto TV and LG Channels, while the full CBC News Network needs a Gem Premium subscription at $5.99 a month or a cable package. This guide explains the difference and every official way to watch.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- CBC’s free “CBC News” streaming channel is available in the US on Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel and Tubi, according to CBC.
- CBC News Network, the 24-hour cable channel, streams live on CBC Gem only with Gem Premium, which costs $5.99 a month plus tax and has a 7-day free trial.
- CBC Gem is geofenced to Canada, so its live streams don’t play from the US or Europe.
What is CBC News?
CBC News is the news division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canada’s public broadcaster. It runs two very different live channels, and mixing them up is the most common reason people can’t find what they want.
- CBC News Network is the 24-hour cable news channel. It launched on July 31, 1989, as CBC Newsworld and took its current name in October 2009. Its daytime rolling coverage is branded CBC Newsroom.
- The free “CBC News” streaming channel launched on November 30, 2022, as CBC News Explore. It’s a free, ad-supported channel with explainers, documentaries and news programs rather than wall-to-wall breaking news. CBC’s help pages now simply call it “CBC News.”
The flagship evening newscast, The National, airs on the main CBC TV network at 10 p.m. (9:30 in Newfoundland). CBC lists Adrienne Arsenault and Ian Hanomansing as its lead presenters.
How to watch CBC News live free in the US
In the US, the free streaming channel is the official option. CBC says it’s on three free services, none of which needs a cable login.
| Service (US) | Cost | Account needed? | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung TV Plus | Free with ads | No | Built into Samsung TVs and Galaxy phones |
| The Roku Channel | Free with ads | No | Roku devices, the web and some other TVs |
| Tubi | Free with ads | No (optional) | Most smart TVs, phones and the web |
Open the app, go to the live TV guide and search for “CBC News.” Positions in the guide move around, so search is quicker than scrolling. If you use a Roku, our guide to news channels on Roku shows where the free live guide sits.
What you won’t get in the US is CBC News Network itself. CBC Gem, the service that streams it, is geofenced to Canada. As a result, the cable channel’s live coverage of Canadian elections or breaking news isn’t officially available to American viewers outside the free channel and clips.
How to watch CBC News live in Canada
Canadians have more choice. The free channel is easy to find, and CBC News Network is available through CBC Gem or any cable or satellite package that includes it.
| Option (Canada) | Cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| CBC Gem, no account | Free | The CBC TV Ottawa live stream |
| CBC Gem, free account | Free | All 14 regional CBC TV live streams and the free CBC News channel |
| CBC Gem Premium | $5.99/month plus tax (no annual plan) | CBC News Network live 24/7 and the Premium library; 7-day free trial |
| CBC News app | Free | The free CBC News channel and local video |
| Pluto TV and LG Channels | Free with ads | CBC News channels, including Toronto and British Columbia streams on Pluto TV |
One detail surprises people: even with Premium, CBC’s live streams still carry ads. Also, CBC News Network used to be free on Gem and is now part of Premium.
Is the CBC News live stream on Gem free?
Partly. The free “CBC News” channel and the regional CBC TV stations are free on Gem with a free account. However, CBC News Network, the 24-hour cable channel, needs Gem Premium.
Coming soon: the NewsLive streaming app. We’re building one subscription for live international news on Android, Roku, Fire TV and desktop. The service is under development — follow NewsLive for launch updates.
How do I set up CBC News live on my TV?
The steps depend on where you live, but each takes only a few minutes. Here’s the quickest route for each case.
In the US
- On a Samsung TV, press the Home button and open Samsung TV Plus. On a Roku, open The Roku Channel. On other TVs, install Tubi.
- Go to the Live TV or channel guide.
- Search for “CBC News” and press play. Add it to your favorites so it’s one click next time.
In Canada
- Install CBC Gem from your TV’s app store (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV and most smart TVs carry it).
- Create a free CBC account to unlock the regional live streams and the free CBC News channel.
- Upgrade to Premium in your account settings if you also want CBC News Network, and start the 7-day trial first if you’d like to test it.
Because Gem checks your location, it will only play live channels while you’re in Canada. So if you travel south for the winter, switch to the free US options above.
Can I watch CBC News live in the UK or Europe?
Not through an official live channel, as far as we could find. When Pluto TV added CBC channels in September 2024, the launch covered Canada only; the UK, Germany, Switzerland and Austria got CNN and Reuters channels instead. Gem is blocked outside Canada too.
Instead, European viewers can follow CBC News through CBC.ca/news articles and video clips, and through CBC’s social channels, where rights allow. We don’t recommend VPNs or other workarounds to reach Gem from abroad. For international channels that are easy to stream in Europe, see our European news in English guide or the A to Z channel list.
What’s on the free CBC News channel?
The free channel focuses on longer formats rather than rolling headlines. At launch in 2022, CBC built it around programs such as About That with Andrew Chang, This Week in Canada, Planet Wonder and BIG, plus documentaries.
So it’s a good fit for background and explainers, especially on Canadian politics and climate. For live breaking news, though, Canadians are better served by CBC News Network or the regional CBC TV streams. Also, if you want a continuous free live feed from a Commonwealth broadcaster, our BBC News live stream guide and Sky News guide cover stronger options outside Canada.
Why does CBC News matter for US viewers?
Canada is the US’s closest neighbor and one of its biggest trading partners, so its news often overlaps with American stories. Trade talks, wildfire smoke and border issues are covered from a Canadian angle that US networks rarely give.
CBC is also publicly funded. The federal government’s Budget 2025 included an extra C$150 million a year for CBC/Radio-Canada, after the broadcaster received about C$1.38 billion in 2024/25. In addition, its 14 regional TV streams give a local view from each part of the country. For more ways to follow neighbors’ news, browse our Watch Abroad guides.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch CBC News live in the US for free?
Yes. CBC’s free “CBC News” channel is on Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel and Tubi in the US. CBC News Network itself isn’t officially available there.
Does CBC Gem work in the US?
No. CBC says Gem content is geofenced, so it won’t stream from outside Canada.
How much is CBC Gem Premium?
It’s $5.99 a month plus tax as of 2026, with no annual plan and a 7-day free trial. It includes CBC News Network live.
Is CBC News Explore the same as CBC News Network?
No. CBC News Explore, now called simply “CBC News” on many services, is the free streaming channel. CBC News Network is the separate 24-hour cable channel.
Where can I watch The National?
It airs weeknights and Sundays at 10 p.m. on CBC TV and streams on CBC Gem in Canada. Clips are also posted on CBC.ca.
