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Free Live TV News to Stream Right Now

Stay informed with the latest news from CBS, NBC, Bloomberg and more on your mobile device or TV.

Ty Pendlebury Editor
Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
Expertise Ty has worked for radio, print, and online publications, and has been writing about home entertainment since 2004. He majored in Cinema Studies when studying at RMIT. He is an avid record collector and streaming music enthusiast. Credentials
  • Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.
Ty Pendlebury
3 min read
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Screenshot: Ty Pendlebury/CNET

News breaks at a dizzying pace, and it's just as important as ever to stay informed. You don't need to sign up for cable or a live TV streaming service to watch the latest TV news coverage for free. A wide array of services stream live news every day at no cost, from the latest on the war in Ukraine to COVID-19 to what's happening in the world of business and entertainment. All you need is a decent internet connection or data plan

The services below, presented in alphabetical order, consist of standard broadcast-style and cable news as well as international and business-centric options. All of these services offer content on their own websites, but many are also available on streaming TV devices ( Roku , Fire TV and Apple TV ), smart TVs and  mobile apps  for phones and tablets

Read more: Best Free TV Streaming Services

If you aren't using a news service's dedicated app, there are four main services which include news channels:

All of the above apps offer a familiar TV experience with a program guide and on-demand content. Together they have the greatest number of news channels, and these are streamable via their collective sites as well as on video-streaming apps.

There are other sources of news available, including audio podcasts via the likes of Stitcher, institutions such as NPR or a wealth of radio stations. And if you want more local live TV options you could also hang an indoor antenna, a simple process that lets you watch news and other programming free from broadcasters in your area.

Read more: Best TV for 2021

ABC News Live 

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Screenshot: Ty Pendlebury/CNET

In addition to the latest on the Russian invasion and coronavirus updates, the website offers a number of other topical feeds, including a running tally of the Dow Jones and breaking national news.

Platforms: iPhone and iPad (iOS), Android , Amazon Fire TV, Android TV , Apple TV, Roku, Windows, Xbox, Apple Watch, Kindle Fire

Free TV services: Sling TV Free, Roku Channel

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera
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Despite closing its US office in 2016, it's still possible to watch Al Jazeera English online. The service offers world news with a Middle Eastern focus, and has been covering the Ukraine crisis and the coronavirus in the US and Europe.

Platforms: iOS , Android, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, YouTube

Bloomberg

The financial news service, started by former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg, offers free livestreaming each day via its website as well as on Pluto TV.

Free TV services: Pluto TV  

CBSN

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CBSN

CBSN is the free, 24-hour arm of CBS News and is available on a variety of different platforms. The service is also streamed in localized versions for seven markets: Bay AreaBostonDenverLAMinnesotaNew York and Philadelphia.

Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation

Free TV services: Pluto TV

Cheddar 

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Screenshot: Ty Pendlebury/CNET

It's been a tumultuous couple of years on the stock market, and if you want to keep up to date, business site Cheddar offers free streams on a multitude of platforms. The service offers three hours of free content a day.

Platforms: iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku

Free TV services: Sling TV, Pluto TV, Roku Channel

CNN

CNN, along with Fox News, is one of the largest 24-hour cable news services, and the best way to watch it right now is via Pluto TV. You will need a cable subscription to watch CNN, but it is also accessible via the CNNgo app, which offers up to 10 minutes of free livestreams. The company will debut the paid CNN Plus streaming service in the Spring. 

Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku

Free TV services: Pluto TV

ET Live 

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Screenshot by Ty Pendlebury/CNET

If you want the lighter side of news, ET Live is a welcome distraction from world events.

Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TVApple TV, Roku 

Free TV services: Pluto TV

NBC News Now 

NBC News Now offers the "latest stories and breaking news on world news and US news" and also includes a wide range of entertainment and lifestyle programs. It's watchable on a decent range of devices and is also included as part of the free Peacock tier.

Platforms:  iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku

Free TV services: Pluto TV, Peacock

Newsy

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Screenshot by Ty Pendlebury/CNET

Newsy is a streaming news service that's targeted at millennials and Gen Xers. It also supports a decent number of platforms.

Platforms: Android, iOS, Roku

Free TV services: Roku Channel, Pluto TV