How to Watch CNN Without Cable in 2025

Updated on May 21, 2025 • Written & edited by our Staff

Never miss the latest breaking story with CNN, including news commentary and investigative reports in the fields of business, culture and much more.

You can watch CNN live without cable on Sling TV (Orange), DirecTV Stream, Sling TV (Blue), Hulu with Live TV, Max, YouTube TV, or Spectrum TV Stream.

The cheapest option to watch CNN live is Max for $9.99/month.

Below, we list their prices, channel line-ups, and trial offerings to help you choose the best one for your needs. 

Our top pick to watch CNN without cable is Sling TV (Orange):
Sling TV (Orange)
CNN, ESPN, TNT, TBS, A&E and more.
Price: $45.99/month
Devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and most Smart TVs
Go to Sling TV (TV)
Here are the streaming services that include CNN
$45.99/month | 33 channels including CNN

CNN on Sling TV (Orange)
CNN and Bloomberg are the only news outlets you’ll find in Sling Orange, which is one of Sling TV's two cable alternative packages. But the plan does give you a nice array of entertainment and sports channels, including Disney Channel, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Freeform, and MotorTrend, all of which aren’t available in Sling's other plan, Sling Blue. Pros
  • Carries popular channels, including Disney Channel and ESPN
  • Multiple add-ons make it highly customizable
  • Good value for the price
Cons
  • DVR storage is limited
  • Free trial not offered
Go to Sling TV (Orange)
$86.99/month | 135 channels including CNN | 5 days free trial

CNN on DirecTV Stream
CNN is available in all of DirecTV Stream's signature plans, which start at $86.99/month. These plans have everything from 4k channels and heavyweight DVR capabilities to regional sports networks and local channels. However, if the price is too much, DirecTV Stream also offers cheaper plans with significantly fewer channels called "genre packs." The MyEntertainment genre pack, in particular, only costs $34.99/month and streams CNN, MSNBC, HLN, and 40 other channels. It also comes with the ad-supported tiers of Hulu, Disney+, and Max at no additional cost.Pros
  • Can stream on up to 20 devices at home
  • Offers "genre packs" for a lower price
  • Also includes Msnbc, HLN, and News Nation
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Can be confusing to navigate
Go to DirecTV Stream
$45.99/month | 46 channels including CNN

CNN on Sling TV (Blue)
Sling Blue is the preferred Sling plan if you want a variety of news outlets to tune into. Apart from CNN, it also carries MSNBC, Bloomberg, HLN, and even local affiliates of ABC, FOX, and NBC in select markets. It costs just as much as Sling Orange, but adds an extra $5/month to areas that get local channels.Pros
  • Has local ABC, NBC, and FOX channels in some markets
  • Also includes Msnbc, and HLN
  • Good value for the price
Cons
  • DVR storage is limited
  • Free trial not offered
Go to Sling TV (Blue)
$82.99/month | 105 channels including CNN | 3 days free trial

CNN on Hulu with Live TV
Hulu with Live TV combines Hulu's on-demand films and TV shows with about a hundred live channels, including CNN. The streaming service has a nice range of sports, local, and news offerings, but its strength lies in entertainment. Since most Hulu with Live TV plans come bundled with Disney+, you also get on-demand access to Walt Disney brands like Marvel, Star Wars, Nat Geo, and Pixar. Pros
  • Access to a wealth of on-demand titles from Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+
  • Carries sports and local channels
  • Also includes Msnbc, HLN, and News Nation
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Limited to two simultaneous streams in one household
Go to Hulu with Live TV
$9.99/month | 4 channels including CNN

CNN on Max
Right off the bat: CNN Max, the 24/7 feed you get on Max Standard and Premium plans, isn't quite the same as the CNN cable channel. Yes, it's still live, streams breaking news, and provides the latest episodes of favorites like Amanpour and Anderson Cooper 360. However, it follows its own customized schedule and features exclusive shows. Since Max Standard is priced at $16.99/month (a far cry from live TV prices), many users consider CNN Max close enough to the real thing. Pros
  • Has Max-exclusive CNN programs
  • Gives you on-demand access to CNN originals and programs
  • Cheap
Cons
  • Free trial not offered
  • CNN Max is not the same as the live channel
  • CNN Max is only available on ad-free plans
Go to Max
$82.99/month | 142 channels including CNN | 7 days free trial

CNN on YouTube TV
Thanks to its accessibility, familiar features, and unlimited cloud DVR, YouTube TV has become a top pick among cord-cutters. The live TV streaming service also boasts a channel lineup that covers all bases. It has sports (and sports add-ons), entertainment, lifestyle, and of course, news. Apart from CNN, it also streams MSNBC and BBC World News. Pros
  • Easy-to-use interface and familiar features
  • Unlimited cloud DVR
  • Also includes Msnbc, Fox News, Bbc World News, HLN, and News Nation
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Some channels get mediocre picture quality
Go to YouTube TV
$40/month | 88 channels including CNN

CNN on Spectrum TV Stream
Spectrum TV Stream is a live TV plan available only to Spectrum internet customers. At $40/month, it's one of the cheapest ways to watch the CNN channel live, but that comes with a caveat. Unlike the other streaming services here, it doesn't carry sports or local channels, hence the low price. Pros
  • Carries popular channels like Disney, Discovery, and AMC
  • Also includes Fox News, Bbc World News, and HLN
  • Good value for the price
Cons
  • Unable to record programs
  • Free trial not offered
  • No sports and local channels
Go to Spectrum TV Stream
👋 Enjoy 50% off any Sling plan that includes CNN Get Sling Half Off

2025 on CNN

Earlier this year, CNN shook up its weekday programming schedule as it moved The Situation Room later in the day, expanded The Lead with Jake Tapper to two hours, and introduced all-new shows for the morning news roundup. But the biggest news it announced thus far is its resurrection of CNN+. Well, sort of. CNN will be releasing a streaming service fall of this year called "CNN All Access," which they claim will give users access to live feeds, original programs, and exclusive articles. As of this writing, the "CNN Max" live hub is still active on Max.

What is the cheapest way to get CNN without cable?

That would be Max’s standard plan at $16.99/month. Although its live 24/7 feed isn’t exactly identical to the cable channel, it has enough similar shows and schedules to feel like the real thing. If you want the linear live CNN stream, however, then the cheapest way to watch is through DirecTV Stream’s “My Entertainment” genre pack, priced at $34.99/month.