You can watch news without cable in three main ways. Free streaming channels such as CBS News 24/7 and ABC News Live cost nothing. Network subscriptions such as CNN All Access, FOX One and the MS NOW membership start at a few dollars a month. Live-TV services like YouTube TV, Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV carry cable news channels from about $46 a month. Most people need one free source, plus one paid option if they want a specific cable channel.
This guide covers what each route gets you, what it costs as of October 2026, and how to choose. Prices and channel line-ups change often, so check the provider’s own page before you sign up.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- Free streaming channels such as CBS News 24/7 and ABC News Live cost nothing.
- Direct network plans such as CNN All Access, FOX One and the MS NOW membership cost a few dollars a month and up.
- Live-TV services such as YouTube TV, Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV start at about $46 a month.
The three ways to get live news without a cable box
Cord-cutting for news is less about one app and more about stacking the right layers. Think of it as a ladder: start free, then add paid pieces only for the channels you really watch.
- Free streaming news channels. Broadcast networks run 24/7 streaming channels that are free with ads. They play on their own apps and on free ad-supported TV (FAST) services such as Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus.
- Direct subscriptions from the network. Several cable news brands now sell their own streaming plans, so you no longer need a TV provider login to watch them live.
- Live-TV streaming services. These are cable replacements delivered over the internet. They carry dozens of channels, including the big cable news networks, for a monthly fee.
A fourth, older option still works for local news: a TV antenna. If you live in range of local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations, an antenna picks up their newscasts over the air with no subscription.
Free options: the 24/7 network news streams
The free tier is stronger than many people expect. Each of the big US broadcast news divisions runs a streaming channel built for internet viewers.
The cheapest way to watch news without cable is to start with these free streams and see what is missing.
CBS News 24/7
CBS describes its stream as free to anyone with internet access. You can watch at CBSNews.com/live, in the CBS News apps for iOS and Android, and on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Xbox and Samsung, LG and Vizio smart TVs. CBS also lists Pluto TV as a place to find it.
ABC News Live
ABC News Live is also free. ABC says it streams on abcnews.com and the ABC News apps, plus Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV. It appears on FAST services including The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Tubi, Xumo Play and Pluto TV. It is also on several paid services such as Hulu and YouTube TV.
NBC News NOW
NBC runs NBC News NOW as a free streaming news channel. You can find it through NBCNews.com and the NBC News app.
BBC News on YouTube
Since October 15, 2026, the BBC News channel has streamed live 24/7 for free on the official BBC News YouTube channel in the US and the UK. It is also on free services such as Pluto TV and Samsung TV Plus in the US.
What free does not include
The free streams are not the same as the cable channels. You will not get the live CNN, Fox News or MS NOW TV feeds for free. You will also see more ads, and some shows from the main broadcasts air only on the linear network. For a fuller breakdown, read free vs paid live news streaming.
Direct subscriptions from news networks
The biggest change for cord-cutters since 2025 is that cable news brands now sell streaming plans directly. This can be far cheaper than a full live-TV bundle if you only care about one channel.
| Service | Price (as of October 2026) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| CNN All Access | $6.99/month or $69.99/year | Live CNN channels, on-demand video, CNN Original Series and full CNN.com access |
| FOX One | $19.99/month or $199.99/year at launch | Fox News Channel, Fox Business, Fox Weather, the FOX network, local FOX stations and FOX Sports channels |
| MS NOW membership | $7.99/month or $79.99/year | The live MS NOW TV feed plus exclusive programs |
A few details matter here. CNN’s subscription page notes that video in All Access “may vary from CNN TV,” so not every show on the cable channel is guaranteed. CNN also offers a cheaper Basic plan, but it covers articles only. FOX One launched on August 21, 2025, and FOX also offers it bundled with Fox Nation. The MS NOW membership launched on September 9, 2026, on the MS NOW website and its Apple and Android apps.
If you watch one cable news network every day, a direct plan is usually the cheapest legal way to get it live. For channel-by-channel steps, see how to watch CNN live online, Fox News without cable and MS NOW (MSNBC) live.
Live-TV streaming services compared
A live-TV service makes sense if you want several cable news channels plus sports, entertainment or local stations in one app. These services cost much more than a direct plan, but they replace cable outright.
These services are the closest match to a cable package if you want to watch news without cable but keep dozens of channels.
| Service and plan | Regular price (as of October 2026) | Cable news channels listed |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV (main plan) | $82.99/month | CNN, Fox News, MS NOW, CNBC, Fox Business, HLN, Bloomberg, BBC News, Newsmax |
| YouTube TV News + Entertainment | $62.99/month | Same nine news channels, without the sports networks |
| Sling Orange | From $45.99/month | CNN, Bloomberg TV+ |
| Sling Blue | From $45.99/month | Fox News, MS NOW, HLN, Bloomberg TV+ |
| Sling Orange & Blue | From $60.99/month | Both line-ups combined |
| Hulu + Live TV | $99.99/month after the intro month | CNN, Fox News, MS NOW, CNBC, ABC News Live |
All three services run introductory offers for new customers, and those change often. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV also include local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations in many markets. Line-ups vary by ZIP code, so use each provider’s channel lookup before you pay. Smaller networks can be patchier; for example, OAN is on YouTube TV and Sling’s News Extra add-on, as our One America News guide explains.
Which live-TV service suits news viewers
- YouTube TV has the widest news line-up on its plan comparison page, including BBC News and Newsmax. Its News + Entertainment plan drops sports and costs less.
- Sling TV is the cheapest bundle on its plan list, but it splits news across two plans. Orange has CNN, while Blue has Fox News and MS NOW. You need both to get all three.
- Hulu + Live TV costs the most but bundles Disney+ and ESPN content with the live channels.
Fubo is another live-TV service, but it focuses on sports. Check its current channel list for the news networks you want before choosing it.
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 to pick the right setup for your budget
Start by listing the channels you actually watch in a typical week. Most viewers rely on two or three at most. Then match that list to the cheapest route.
Write down what you pay now before you switch, so you can see whether it is cheaper to watch news without cable in your case.
If you just want headlines and breaking news
Stay free. CBS News 24/7, ABC News Live and NBC News NOW cover major stories live. Add a FAST service like Pluto TV or The Roku Channel for more free news channels. Your cost is $0.
If you follow one cable news network
Buy that network’s direct plan. CNN All Access and the MS NOW membership each cost under $8 a month as of October 2026. FOX One costs more but adds sports and the FOX broadcast network.
If you want two or three cable news networks
Do the math. CNN All Access plus the MS NOW membership costs about $15 a month combined. Adding FOX One brings the total near $35. A live-TV bundle like Sling Orange & Blue or YouTube TV costs more but adds local channels, DVR and entertainment.
If you also want sports and local stations
A full live-TV service is the closest match to cable. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV include local network affiliates in many areas. If you only want local news, an antenna is cheaper.
What equipment you need
You do not need special hardware. Any of these will work with the free and paid options above:
You rarely need new hardware to watch news without cable, because most TVs and phones are already ready.
- A smart TV with built-in apps (Samsung, LG, Vizio, Google TV or Fire TV models)
- A streaming stick or box, such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV
- A phone, tablet or computer with a web browser
- A steady broadband connection; HD streams need more bandwidth than standard definition
If you use a Roku, our guide to news channels on Roku lists the official apps worth installing.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying for a bundle you do not need. If you watch only CNN, a $82.99 plan is overkill.
- Forgetting promo end dates. Intro prices on YouTube TV, Hulu and network plans expire. Set a reminder.
- Assuming free streams equal the cable channel. ABC News Live is not ABC’s local station, and CBS News 24/7 is not the CBS network feed.
- Using unofficial streams. They break often, carry malware risk and are not legal. Stick to official apps and services.
See also: how to watch C-SPAN, C-SPAN2 and C-SPAN3.
See also: how to stream The Weather Channel, FOX Weather and WeatherNation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch CNN, Fox News or MS NOW live for free?
Not through official sources. Each sells its own streaming plan, and each is carried by live-TV services. You can watch free clips on their websites and YouTube channels, but the full live channel needs a subscription.
What is the cheapest way to watch news without cable?
The free streams from CBS, ABC and NBC cost nothing. For a cable news channel, CNN All Access at $6.99 a month was the cheapest direct plan we found as of October 2026. Prices change, so confirm on the provider’s site.
Do I need a TV provider login for CNN All Access or the MS NOW membership?
No. Both are standalone subscriptions that you buy directly. CNN still offers a separate sign-in path for people who already have a TV provider.
Which live-TV service has the most news channels?
Among the services we checked, YouTube TV listed the widest news line-up on its plan page. That included CNN, Fox News, MS NOW, CNBC, Fox Business, HLN, Bloomberg, BBC News and Newsmax. Availability can vary by plan and location.
Can I watch local news without cable?
Yes. An antenna picks up local stations over the air for free in many areas. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV also carry local affiliates in many markets, and some local CBS stations stream on Pluto TV.
Is cutting the cord actually cheaper for news?
Usually, if you are selective. One free stream plus one direct network plan costs under $10 a month. A full live-TV service can cost as much as cable, so it only saves money if it replaces a pricier bill.
