The simplest way to watch live news on phone screens is to install a free app from the broadcaster. Al Jazeera English, France 24, Euronews, GB News, CBS News and ABC News all stream their live channels in official apps, at no cost. Two free apps carry many news channels at once. YouTube now has a free BBC News live feed in the US and UK, and Pluto TV runs a whole category of news channels. A few networks charge for their live stream, including the BBC in the US, MS NOW and CNN. Below is what each app actually offers as of October 2026.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- Free broadcaster apps with live streams include Al Jazeera English, France 24, Euronews, GB News, CBS News and ABC News.
- YouTube (free BBC News feed in the US and UK) and Pluto TV carry many news channels in one app.
- The BBC in the US, MS NOW and CNN charge for their live streams.
Free broadcaster apps to watch live news on your phone
We checked each app’s official store listing or the network’s own “where to watch” page. Each app below says it includes the live channel, not just clips.
| App | Publisher | Cost | Live stream | Verified on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky News | Sky UK | Free | Sky News live 24/7, often with extra livestreams | iPhone (App Store listing) |
| Al Jazeera English | Al Jazeera Media Network | Free, with ads | 24-hour live video and audio | Android (Google Play); Al Jazeera also lists an iOS app |
| France 24 | France Médias Monde | Free | 24-hour live coverage | iPhone and iPad |
| Euronews | Euronews | Free | Live Euronews TV in multiple language editions | iPhone and iPad |
| GB News | GB News | Free | Live channel | iOS and Android, per GB News |
| CBS News | CBS News | Free | CBS News 24/7 | iOS and Android, per CBS News |
| ABC News | ABC News | Free | ABC News Live | iOS and Android, per ABC News |
A few details worth knowing:
- Euronews says English live streaming isn’t offered in Turkey or Singapore because of distribution rights.
- DW has a free iPhone app from Deutsche Welle with articles, audio and video. Its listing doesn’t spell out live TV on mobile, so check after installing. Our DW News live guide covers other official options.
- GB News notes that UK viewers need a TV Licence to watch live broadcasts.
How to install a news app
On iPhone
- Open the App Store and tap Search.
- Type the network’s name, such as “France 24” or “Sky News.”
- Check the developer name under the app title. It should be the broadcaster, for example Sky UK Limited or France Medias Monde.
- Tap Get, then confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your password.
If an app asks to send notifications on first launch, you can say no and turn alerts on later in the phone’s settings.
Once an app is installed, you can watch live news on phone screens with a tap or two.
On Android
- Open the Google Play Store and tap the search bar.
- Type the network’s name and check the developer name.
- Tap Install.
Look at the minimum system version too. Sky News, for example, lists iOS 16 or later, and DW lists iOS 17.6 or later. Older phones may not be able to run the current version.
Apps that carry many news channels
YouTube
Many networks post official live streams on their YouTube channels. In October 2026, the BBC added a free live BBC News feed on YouTube in the US and UK, according to The Desk. YouTube said the launch builds on earlier BBC News live launches in Australia, Kenya, Nigeria and Poland. On YouTube, check that a stream comes from the network’s verified channel. Re-uploads from other accounts are often unofficial.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is free and has apps for iPhone and Android. Its US news category lists channels including CBS News 24/7, NBC News NOW, ABC News Live, CNN Headlines, LiveNOW from FOX, BBC News, Sky News and Bloomberg TV+. Line-ups vary by country and change often. Our free vs paid news streaming guide compares Pluto TV with other free services.
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.
Paid news apps and what they cost
Some major networks charge for the live channel on mobile. The prices below were current when we checked in October 2026. Check the provider for the latest.
| App | What you pay for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| BBC (US) | BBC News channel livestream in the app | $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year (App Store listing) |
| MS NOW | 24-hour live feed and original shows, on web and Apple/Android apps | $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year |
| CNN All Access | Subscription with 24/7 news and live coverage | $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year |
| Fox News Go | Fox News Channel and Fox Business live | Included with a pay-TV subscription |
The BBC’s app is free to download. Its listing says BBC World Service and Radio 4 live radio are available too, and audio keeps playing in the background. For the bigger picture, see our guides to CNN live, MS NOW live and BBC News live.
Pick apps by what you follow
You don’t need a dozen news apps. A small set that matches your interests is easier to manage and saves storage.
Choosing apps by topic is the easiest way to watch live news on phone without clutter.
World news in English
Start with Al Jazeera English and France 24. Both are free, include a 24-hour live stream and cover regions that US and UK networks report on less. Add Euronews for a European angle. Its app streams live TV in several language editions.
UK news
The Sky News app streams its channel live for free, and GB News offers its live channel in its own app and on YouTube. For the BBC, UK viewers can use the BBC News feed on YouTube. Our UK news channels comparison explains how the three differ.
US news
CBS News and ABC News both stream their 24/7 channels free in their apps. Pluto TV adds NBC News NOW, LiveNOW from FOX and CNN Headlines in one place. For cable networks, you’ll need a subscription app or a pay-TV login.
Arabic news
Sky News Arabia says it streams live around the clock online and through its mobile apps, and it links to official apps for both iPhone and Android. Our Arabic news channels guide covers Al Arabiya and others.
Tips to watch live news on your phone
These tips help most when you watch live news on phone data instead of Wi-Fi.
- Turn on alerts sparingly. Most news apps offer breaking-news notifications. Pick one or two networks so your phone doesn’t buzz all day.
- Use audio when you’re moving. Al Jazeera English offers a live audio stream, and the BBC app streams World Service radio. Both use far less data than video.
- Watch your data plan. Live video runs continuously, so it uses mobile data faster than short clips. Switch to Wi-Fi for long sessions, or lower the video quality in the app’s settings if it has that option.
- Move it to the TV. Many news apps, including YouTube, show a cast icon that sends the stream to a Chromecast-enabled TV on the same Wi-Fi. See our Android TV and Google TV guide.
- UK viewers: TV Licensing says a licence covers live TV on any device, including phones, and that includes live streams on YouTube.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free app to watch live news on your phone?
It depends on what you watch. For international news, the free Al Jazeera English, France 24, Euronews and Sky News apps all include live streams. For US network news, the CBS News and ABC News apps stream their 24/7 channels free, and Pluto TV collects many channels in one app.
Can I watch BBC News live on my phone for free?
In the US and UK, yes, through the BBC News live feed on YouTube that launched in October 2026. In the US, the live channel in the BBC app needs a subscription. In the UK, you need a TV Licence to watch live TV.
Is the Sky News app free?
Yes. Its App Store listing describes it as free and says it streams Sky News live 24/7.
Can I watch Fox News live on my phone without cable?
Fox News Go needs a TV provider subscription for the live channel. Without one, you’ll need a live TV streaming service that carries Fox News. Our Fox News live guide lists the options.
Can you watch live news on your phone outside your home country?
Often, but not always. Rights deals can block the live stream in some countries, as Euronews notes for English in Turkey and Singapore. If a live stream won’t play, the app usually still offers articles and clips.
How much data does it take to watch live news on your phone?
That depends on the video quality, and most apps don’t publish a figure. Live video plays for as long as you watch, so it adds up quickly on a mobile plan. Use Wi-Fi for long viewing, or switch to the audio stream if the app has one.
Sources
- App Store: Sky News: Breaking, UK & World
- Google Play: Al Jazeera English
- Al Jazeera: Stay connected (apps and platforms)
- App Store: France 24
- App Store: Euronews
- App Store: DW – Breaking World News
- App Store: BBC: World News & Stories
- CBS News: Where to stream CBS News 24/7
- ABC News: How to watch ABC News Live
- Fox News Go
- CNN: Subscription plans
- NewscastStudio: MS NOW launches subscription (September 2026)
- 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)
- Sky News Arabia: Live stream page
- TV Licensing: Live TV and how you watch it
