Sky News is one of the few major news channels that streams Sky News live for free, without a login. You can watch the 24-hour channel on its official YouTube channel, on news.sky.com, and in the free Sky News app for phones and Apple TV. In the UK it is also free-to-air on Freeview channel 233. In the US, it shows up on free streaming services such as The Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus. Below is every official option as of October 2026, plus the current weekday schedule.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- Sky News streams free on YouTube, news.sky.com and the Sky News app, with no login.
- In the UK it is free-to-air on Freeview 233.
- In the US it appears on The Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus.
Sky News at a glance
Sky News launched on 5 February 1989, which made it Britain’s first 24-hour news channel. It is part of Sky Group, which has been owned by the US media company Comcast since 2018. The newsroom and studios are at Sky Central in Osterley, west London.
Outside the UK, viewers usually get Sky News International. It carries the same live programmes as the UK channel. The difference is the breaks: British adverts are swapped for short packaged reports and international weather. So if you are watching from abroad, you see the same anchors and the same stories at the same time.
Sky News is separate from Sky News Australia, which is a different channel with different owners and programming. Make sure you pick the right one when you search an app or guide.
Free ways to watch Sky News live
Sky has offered a free live stream since 2009, when it began streaming the channel around the clock on its website. Here are the main free routes today.
YouTube
The official Sky News YouTube channel has carried a live stream of the TV channel since September 2014. It is the most widely available option and works on phones, computers, smart TVs, game consoles and streaming sticks. Search for Sky News and choose the live video on the verified channel, not a copy uploaded by another account.
news.sky.com
The Sky News website has a “Watch live” stream at the top of the homepage. It plays in any modern browser on a PC, Mac or phone, with no account needed.
Sky News apps
Sky UK publishes a free Sky News app for iPhone and Android. Its App Store listing promises live 24/7 coverage and says several live streams are often available during big stories. There is also a separate Sky News app for Apple TV, again free, with the live channel and on-demand clips. The Apple listings show no in-app purchases.
Free streaming TV services in the US
In February 2023 The Roku Channel added Sky News to its free live TV guide. At the time, The Desk reported this was the first time Comcast had placed the channel on a free streaming service. Sky News also appears in the Samsung TV Plus news line-up. Pluto TV has carried a Sky News feed too, but users have reported it missing at times. Free channel line-ups change often, so check the service’s guide before you count on it.
| Option | Region | Cost | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky News on YouTube | Worldwide in most countries | Free | Any device with YouTube |
| news.sky.com live stream | Most countries | Free, no login | Web browsers |
| Sky News app | UK, US and many other markets | Free | iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple TV |
| Freeview channel 233 | UK | Free-to-air (TV Licence needed for live TV) | Any Freeview TV or box |
| Sky, Virgin Media and other pay TV | UK and Ireland | Part of your TV package | Set-top box |
| The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus | US | Free with ads | Roku devices, Samsung TVs, apps |
App availability by country can vary, and services change their line-ups without warning. Treat this table as a starting point as of October 2026.
Watching Sky News on TV in the UK and Ireland
In the UK, Sky News is free-to-air. You will find it on Freeview channel 233, on the Sky satellite platform, and on Virgin Media. In Ireland it is on Saorview channel 23. Channel numbers on Sky and cable boxes are reshuffled from time to time, so use your on-screen guide if a number has changed.
One rule surprises people. In the UK you need a TV Licence to watch any channel live as it is broadcast, even when the channel is free and even when you watch online. TV Licensing names YouTube among the services this covers. So a free Sky News stream is free of charge, but not free of the licence rule.
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.
The Sky News schedule
Sky News overhauled its daytime line-up in late 2025. The biggest change was the morning show. On 3 November 2025, Sky replaced its old breakfast program with Mornings with Ridge and Frost, presented by Sophy Ridge and Wilfred Frost from 7am to 10am. Kamali Melbourne and Anna Jones take the mornings later in the week and at weekends.
The table below shows the regular Monday to Thursday line-up in UK time. Fridays and weekends use different presenters. Breaking news and special coverage can move any of these slots, so treat it as a guide, not a promise.
| UK time (Mon–Thu) | US Eastern time* | Programme | Presenter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7am–10am | 2am–5am | Mornings with Ridge and Frost | Sophy Ridge and Wilfred Frost |
| 10am–1pm | 5am–8am | Sky News Today | Gareth Barlow |
| 1pm–5pm | 8am–noon | Sky News Today | Jayne Secker |
| 5pm–7pm | noon–2pm | The News Hour | Mark Austin |
| 7pm–8pm | 2pm–3pm | The Cathy Newman Show | Cathy Newman |
| 8pm–9pm | 3pm–4pm | The UK Tonight | Sarah-Jane Mee |
| 9pm–10pm | 4pm–5pm | The World | Yalda Hakim |
| 10pm–midnight | 5pm–7pm | The Wrap | Anna Botting |
*UK time is usually five hours ahead of US Eastern time. For a few weeks each spring and fall the gap is four hours, because the two countries change their clocks on different dates.
On Sundays, Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips runs from 8:30am to 10am UK time. It is the channel’s main political interview program of the week.
Watching from the US and other countries
For most viewers outside Britain, the YouTube stream or the Sky News app is the simplest choice. Both carry the live channel and need no subscription. On a TV, install YouTube, the Sky News app (Apple TV) or a free service such as The Roku Channel or Samsung TV Plus.
Sky News also has a US connection through Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal as well as Sky. Sky News has been offered on Peacock, and NBC News platforms have simulcast it during major breaking stories. Check Peacock’s current channel list if you subscribe, since its live offerings change.
In many other countries, cable and satellite operators carry Sky News International. Ask your local provider whether it is in your package. If you want a wider view of British channels from America, see our guide on how to watch UK news in the USA.
Tips for a smoother stream
- Use the official sources. Third-party “Sky News live” uploads often loop old footage or vanish mid-story. The verified YouTube channel, news.sky.com and the Sky News app carry the real feed.
- Pick the right app on TV. On Apple TV, install the Sky News app. On Roku, Fire TV, Android TV and most smart TVs, YouTube is the most dependable route.
- Watch for extra streams. During big events the Sky News app often runs more than one live stream, such as a feed from a press conference alongside the main channel.
Sky News compared with other UK channels
Sky News is ad-funded and commercially owned, which is why it can give its stream away online. The BBC News channel is licence-funded in the UK and charges US readers for some online content. GB News is newer and opinion-led, with a different presenting style. For a side-by-side look at tone, schedules and how to watch, read BBC vs Sky News vs GB News compared.
You can also read our guides to the BBC News live stream and watching GB News live. If you mostly watch on a big screen, our walkthrough of live news on Samsung and LG smart TVs covers the app setup.
See also: our explainer on the local truce in Oleshky, southern Ukraine.
See also: how to watch the Cenotaph service on Remembrance Sunday 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sky News free to watch online?
Yes. Sky News streams its channel live for free on YouTube, on news.sky.com and in the Sky News app. You don’t need a Sky subscription or an account. UK viewers still need a TV Licence to watch any channel live.
What channel is Sky News on Freeview?
Sky News is on Freeview channel 233 in the UK. In Ireland it is on Saorview channel 23. Check your guide if the number has moved after a retune.
Can I watch Sky News in the USA?
Yes. The YouTube stream and the Sky News app work in the US. Sky News has also been carried free on The Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus. Line-ups change, so search the guide for “Sky News” first.
Who owns Sky News?
Sky News is part of Sky Group, which is owned by Comcast. Comcast also owns NBCUniversal, the parent of NBC News.
Who presents the Sky News morning show?
Since November 2025, Sophy Ridge and Wilfred Frost have presented Mornings with Ridge and Frost from 7am to 10am UK time, Monday to Thursday. Kamali Melbourne and Anna Jones present the later-week and weekend editions.
Is Sky News the same as Sky News Australia?
No. Sky News Australia is a separate channel with its own owners, presenters and programming. The London-based Sky News is the UK channel covered in this guide.
Sources
- Sky Group: Sky News launches Mornings with Ridge and Frost
- App Store: Sky News: Breaking, UK & World
- App Store: Sky News: Live and On Demand (Apple TV)
- The Desk: Roku Channel adds Sky News
- Cord Cutters News: Samsung TV Plus channel list
- Journalism.co.uk: Sky News to livestream TV news channel online
- TV Licensing: Live TV and how you watch it
- Wikipedia: Sky News
- Wikipedia: Sky News presenters and editorial staff
