To watch live news on PC or Mac, you don’t usually need any special software. Many networks stream their channel free on their own website, including Al Jazeera English, CBS News 24/7, GB News, TRT World and Al Arabiya. YouTube now carries a free BBC News live feed in the US and UK. Paid options also play in a browser, such as YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV for US cable news. Mac owners with Apple silicon can also install the iPhone versions of the France 24 and Euronews apps. Here’s where to go for each network as of October 2026.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- Many networks stream free on their own websites, including Al Jazeera English, CBS News 24/7, GB News, TRT World and Al Arabiya.
- YouTube carries a free BBC News live feed in the US and UK.
- Paid services such as YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV play in a web browser.
Free live streams to watch news on a PC
These pages come from the broadcasters themselves. We checked that each one offers a live stream or describes one.
The simplest way to watch live news on PC is to open a broadcaster’s website in your browser.
| Network | Where to watch on a computer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Al Jazeera English | aljazeera.com/video/live | Live video, a “Switch Player” option if playback fails and a switch to audio |
| CBS News 24/7 | CBSNews.com | CBS says the stream is free to anyone with internet access |
| ABC News Live | abcnews.com | ABC describes the 24/7 channel as free |
| GB News | gbnews.com | Free livestream with a “Your Say” chat; UK viewers need a TV Licence |
| TRT World | trtworld.com/video/tv | Live player with a “Now Playing” schedule |
| Al Arabiya | alarabiya.net/live-stream | Arabic live page that also links to the YouTube live channel |
| Sky News Arabia | skynewsarabia.com live page | Says it broadcasts live online around the clock |
Websites change their players and rights from time to time. If a stream doesn’t load, the network’s verified YouTube channel is usually the next-best official option. For channel-by-channel details, see our guides to Al Jazeera English live, TRT World live and Arabic news channels live.
How to get the most out of browser streaming
These settings make it easier to watch live news on PC for hours without slowdowns.
- Use a current browser. Keep Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari updated. Live video players depend on up-to-date browser features. YouTube TV, for example, recommends the latest Chrome or Firefox.
- Bookmark the live page itself, not the homepage. This saves several clicks every time you want to check the news.
- Allow cookies or consent prompts. Some live pages, including Al Arabiya’s, show a cookie notice first. The player may stay blank until you respond.
- Turn off aggressive ad blockers for the site. Free streams are paid for by ads, and some players won’t start if they’re blocked.
- Try audio when bandwidth is tight. Al Jazeera’s live page has a switch to audio, which is useful on a slow connection.
YouTube and FAST services on a computer
YouTube
YouTube works in any modern browser with no download. In October 2026, the BBC launched a free live BBC News feed on YouTube for the US and UK. YouTube said it builds on earlier BBC News live launches in Australia, Kenya, Nigeria and Poland. Several other networks run official live streams there too. Al Arabiya, for one, links to its YouTube live channel from its own live page. Make sure you’re watching the network’s verified channel and not a re-upload.
YouTube is often the quickest way to watch live news on PC, because many channels stream there.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV’s website has a live TV section. Its US news category lists CBS News 24/7, NBC News NOW, ABC News Live, CNN Headlines, LiveNOW from FOX, BBC News, Sky News and Bloomberg TV+, among others. It’s free with ads. Our free vs paid news streaming guide covers what free services leave out.
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.
News apps on a Mac
Macs with an Apple M1 chip or later can run many iPhone and iPad apps from the Mac App Store. The App Store listings for these news apps include Mac compatibility:
- France 24, from France Médias Monde: free, with 24-hour live coverage. It needs macOS 12 or later and an M1 chip or later.
- Euronews: free, with live Euronews TV in several language editions. It needs macOS 11 or later and an M1 chip or later.
- DW – Breaking World News, from Deutsche Welle: free. The listing notes the Mac version isn’t verified for macOS, so it may behave like a phone app in a window.
To install one, open the App Store on your Mac, search for the app, and look in the iPhone and iPad apps results. If you’re on Windows or an Intel Mac, use the websites above instead. They work just as well.
Paid options that play in a browser
US cable news channels usually need a subscription. These services say they support computer browsers. Prices were checked in October 2026 and change often.
Paid plans work the same way when you watch live news on PC: sign in on the website and press play.
| Service | News channels it lists | Price | Browser |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | CNN, Fox News, MS NOW, CNBC, BBC News, NewsNation, Newsmax and more | $82.99 a month (promotional rates sometimes offered) | tv.youtube.com |
| Hulu + Live TV | CNN, Fox News, MS NOW and others | $99.99 a month after any intro offer | hulu.com on Mac or PC |
| MS NOW membership | MS NOW’s 24-hour live feed | $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year | MS NOW website |
| BBC (US) | BBC News livestream on bbc.com | $8.99 a month; annual pricing has varied, so check bbc.com | bbc.com |
Fox News Go also lets you watch Fox News Channel and Fox Business live on a computer, but the live channels are included with a TV subscription. CNN sells an All Access subscription for $6.99 a month. Its page doesn’t spell out which devices are supported. For a fuller comparison, read how to watch news without cable and our CNN vs Fox News vs MS NOW comparison.
Watch live news on PC or Mac: what is different
On Windows, the browser is the main tool. The network websites, YouTube, Pluto TV and the paid services above all work in Chrome, Edge or Firefox, so you don’t need separate Windows apps. That also keeps your setup the same on any computer you sign in to.
On a Mac, the same websites work in Safari, Chrome or Firefox. Apple silicon Macs get the extra option of iPhone and iPad apps, which can be handy if you prefer an app’s layout or already use it on your phone. Intel Macs can’t run those apps, so stick with the browser.
On either system, a wired connection or a strong Wi-Fi signal makes the biggest difference to live video. Live streams can’t buffer far ahead the way on-demand video can.
A simple desktop news setup
Many people keep a news stream running on a second monitor while they work. One way to set that up:
This setup lets you watch live news on PC in a corner of the screen while you work.
- Pick one main channel for background viewing and keep the others as quick checks.
- Make a bookmarks folder called “Live news” with the live pages you use, such as Al Jazeera, CBS News and a YouTube live link.
- Open a folder of bookmarks in tabs and mute everything except the one you’re following.
- Keep one audio-only option, such as Al Jazeera’s audio switch, for when you want to listen without watching.
- UK viewers should remember that TV Licensing says a licence is needed for live TV on any device, including laptops and live YouTube streams.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch live news on a PC for free?
Yes. Al Jazeera English, CBS News 24/7, ABC News Live, GB News and TRT World all stream on their own websites. YouTube and Pluto TV add more free channels in the browser.
Do I need to download anything?
No. All the websites and services above play in a current browser. Mac apps for France 24 and Euronews are optional extras for Apple silicon Macs.
How can I watch CNN or Fox News live on a PC or laptop?
You’ll generally need a subscription. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV both carry the two networks and play in a browser. Fox News Go works with a TV provider login. See our CNN live stream guide for CNN’s own options.
Can I watch BBC News live on a PC for free?
In the US and UK, the BBC News feed on YouTube is free as of October 2026. On bbc.com, US viewers need a subscription for the livestream. UK viewers need a TV Licence to watch live TV.
Why won’t a live stream play in my browser?
Common causes are an outdated browser, a blocked cookie prompt, an ad blocker or rights limits in your country. Update the browser, allow the site’s consent prompt and try again. If it still fails, try the network’s official YouTube stream.
Can I watch Arabic news channels live on a PC?
Yes. Al Arabiya and Sky News Arabia both have live stream pages on their websites. Al Arabiya also links to a YouTube live channel.
Sources
- Al Jazeera English: Live
- CBS News: Where to stream CBS News 24/7
- ABC News: How to watch ABC News Live
- TRT World: Live TV
- Al Arabiya: Live stream
- Sky News Arabia: Live stream page
- YouTube Official Blog: BBC News Channel launches live on YouTube
- The Desk: BBC News live channel on YouTube (October 2026)
- Pluto TV: News and opinion channels (US)
- App Store: France 24
- App Store: Euronews
- App Store: DW – Breaking World News
- YouTube TV: Explore plans
- Hulu + Live TV: Live news
- NewscastStudio: MS NOW launches subscription (September 2026)
- NewscastStudio: BBC paywall for US users (June 2025)
- Fox News Go
- CNN: Subscription plans
- TV Licensing: Live TV and how you watch it
