The official CNN live stream comes in two main forms. If you already pay for TV, sign in with your cable, satellite or live TV streaming provider on CNN.com or the CNN app. If you don’t, CNN’s own All Access subscription includes live channels for $6.99 a month in the US, as of October 2026. Since October 20, 2026, All Access is also sold in the UK and Canada. Live TV services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and DirecTV Stream carry CNN as well.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- CNN All Access includes live channels for $6.99 a month in the US.
- Since October 20, 2026, All Access is also sold in the UK and Canada.
- Pay-TV subscribers can sign in on CNN.com or the CNN app; YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and DirecTV Stream also carry CNN.
CNN in brief
CNN launched on June 1, 1980, as the first 24-hour cable news channel in the United States. Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld founded it. Since October 6, 2026, CNN has been owned by Skydance, after Paramount Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery; the same deal put CNN and CBS News under one owner. Its main bases are in Atlanta and New York. Mark Thompson, formerly of The New York Times, has been chief executive since October 2023.
Knowing what CNN offers helps you choose the right CNN live stream.
There are really two CNN channels to know about. CNN, often called CNN US, is the domestic American channel. CNN International is a separate global feed run from Atlanta, with regional hubs in London and Hong Kong. It reaches more than 200 countries and territories. Which one you can stream depends on where you live.
Like other large US news networks, CNN draws criticism from commentators on both the left and the right over perceived bias. This guide focuses only on how to watch it.
Every official way to watch the CNN live stream
The table below compares the main options. Prices are as of October 2026 and change often, so check the provider before you sign up.
| Option | Region | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNN All Access | US | $6.99/month or $69.99/year | Live channels, on-demand video, CNN Original Series and Films, unlimited articles |
| CNN All Access | UK | £4.99/month or £49.99/year | Live channels from CNN International and US programming, on-demand video |
| CNN All Access | Canada | CA$7.99/month or CA$79.99/year | Same as UK; eligible pay-TV subscribers get it at no extra cost |
| TV provider sign-in | US | Included with your TV package | The CNN channel on CNN.com and the CNN app |
| Live TV streaming services | US | Varies by service | CNN as part of a channel bundle |
| Pay TV abroad | 200+ countries | Varies by provider | CNN International channel |
CNN All Access (no cable needed)
All Access is CNN’s own paid subscription. In the US, the CNN subscription page lists it at $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year as of October 2026. It includes 24/7 global news, live coverage, exclusive videos, CNN Original Series, CNN Films and unlimited articles. A cheaper Basic tier at $3.99 a month covers articles only and has no video.
One detail matters if you want the full TV channel. CNN notes that All Access video may differ from what airs on CNN TV. Some program blocks are included live, but the subscription is not a full simulcast of the cable channel. If you want every show exactly as it airs, a TV provider login is the safer bet.
Signing in with a TV provider
If you pay for cable, satellite or a live TV streaming service that includes CNN, you can watch the live channel online at no extra cost. Open CNN.com or the CNN app, choose to watch live TV and sign in with your provider account. This route gives you the same channel you would see on your TV at home.
Live TV streaming services
Several US streaming services carry CNN in their channel line-ups, including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and DirecTV Stream. These work on phones, smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV and other streaming devices. Packages and prices change frequently, so confirm that CNN is in the plan you choose before paying.
What happened to CNN on Max
For a time, Max subscribers in the US could watch a CNN streaming channel called CNN Max. That channel was discontinued on November 17, 2025, as CNN moved its live streaming into the All Access tier. If you used to watch CNN through HBO Max, All Access or a TV provider login is now the way to go.
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.
Watching CNN outside the United States
Outside the US, most viewers watch CNN International rather than the domestic CNN channel. It is carried by satellite, cable and IPTV providers around the world. In the UK, for example, it has been on Sky. In sub-Saharan Africa, DStv and GOtv have carried it. Check your local provider’s channel list.
Outside the US, your CNN live stream options depend on where you live.
All Access in the UK and Canada
On October 13, 2026, CNN announced that All Access would launch in the UK and Canada on October 20. It includes a selection of live channels drawn from both CNN International and US programming, plus on-demand video and the CNN Original Series and Films library.
- UK price: £4.99 a month or £49.99 a year, with a first-year welcome offer of £37.99.
- Canada price: CA$7.99 a month or CA$79.99 a year, with a first-year welcome offer of CA$59.99.
- Existing customers: UK subscribers to the older CNN Live plan move up to All Access. Eligible Canadian pay-TV customers can sign in with their TV account at no extra cost.
- Devices: the web plus selected mobile and connected TV apps.
CNN says it plans to bring All Access to more countries over the coming year. Watch the CNN Press Room for announcements. If you live elsewhere, check CNN.com for availability in your country. If you are an American living abroad, our guide on how to watch US news channels abroad covers the options in more depth.
Flagship CNN shows
CNN’s weekday schedule is built around a set of anchor-led programs. The table below lists some of the best known. Times are Eastern Time where shown, and schedules change, so check CNN’s own listings.
| Show | Anchor(s) | When |
|---|---|---|
| CNN This Morning | Audie Cornish | Weekdays, 6am ET |
| CNN News Central | John Berman, Kate Bolduan, Sara Sidner | Weekday mornings, 7–10am ET |
| Inside Politics | Dana Bash | Weekdays |
| The Situation Room | Wolf Blitzer, Pamela Brown | Weekdays |
| The Lead with Jake Tapper | Jake Tapper | Weekdays, 5pm ET |
| Anderson Cooper 360° | Anderson Cooper | Weekday evenings |
| The Source with Kaitlan Collins | Kaitlan Collins | Weekday evenings |
| State of the Union | Jake Tapper, Dana Bash | Sundays |
| Fareed Zakaria GPS | Fareed Zakaria | Sundays |
CNN International runs its own live shows on weekdays, such as Amanpour with Christiane Amanpour, Quest Means Business with Richard Quest and Connect the World with Becky Anderson from Abu Dhabi. Outside those hours, CNN International often simulcasts CNN US programming.
Choosing the right option
The best route depends on what you already pay for and where you live.
Most viewers only need one CNN live stream option, not several.
- You have cable or a live TV service: sign in on CNN.com or the CNN app. There is no extra cost.
- You cut the cord and mainly want CNN: All Access is the cheapest official option. Remember it is not an exact copy of the cable channel.
- You want CNN plus other channels: a live TV streaming service gives you CNN alongside local and cable channels.
- You live outside the US: look for CNN International on your pay-TV provider, or use All Access if it is offered in your country.
Check which devices you plan to use. CNN lists the web plus selected mobile and connected TV apps for All Access, so confirm your smart TV or streaming stick is supported. If you only follow CNN for breaking stories, the free articles and clips may be enough.
For a wider look at cord-cutting choices, see our guide on how to watch news without cable. If you are comparing networks, our CNN vs Fox News vs MS NOW comparison sets out how they differ. You can also read our guide to watching Fox News live.
See also: CNN All Access launch in the UK and Canada.
See also: CNN’s daily battleground road-trip stream and other election streams.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch CNN live for free?
Not in full. CNN’s live channel requires either a TV provider login or a paid All Access subscription. CNN.com and the CNN app do offer free articles and some free video clips.
How much is CNN All Access?
As of October 2026, it is $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year in the US. In the UK it is £4.99 a month, and in Canada it is CA$7.99 a month. Prices can change, so check CNN’s subscription page.
Is CNN still on HBO Max?
No. The CNN Max streaming channel ended on November 17, 2025. Live CNN streaming moved to the All Access subscription and TV provider logins.
Which streaming services carry CNN?
In the US, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and DirecTV Stream have all carried CNN. Channel line-ups vary by plan, so confirm CNN is included before you subscribe.
What is the difference between CNN and CNN International?
CNN is the US domestic channel. CNN International is a separate global channel with its own anchors and shows, run from Atlanta with hubs in London and Hong Kong. It simulcasts some CNN US programs.
Can I get CNN All Access outside the US?
Yes, in the UK and Canada since October 20, 2026. CNN says more countries will follow. Elsewhere, look for CNN International through your local TV provider.
