With so many streaming services offering many of our favorite shows on-demand, the choice to cut the cord and cancel cable is becoming easier. However, one of the sticking points for many people is the thought they can't watch news without cable due to the loss of the news channels that come with cable TV.
Great news: all the major news services like CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC and others are available to cord-cutters! Whichever news stations you choose and which anchors you prefer, you can get your news fix without cable. Here are some inexpensive and even free options for viewing news media.
But first!
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It is true that in the past, leaving cable meant losing access to cable news. However, streaming services like Sling TV YouTube TV, Hulu Live and more now give you access to every cable news channel you may want, without the exorbitant cable bill.
Along with big names like Fox News and MSNBC, cord-cutters can now get even more news services, which they can access all hours of the day, every day of the week on Sling TV, YouTube TV and Hulu Live.
You'll also be able to get local news stations on some of these services, plus additional channels depending on the package you choose. So for as low as $30 a month (Sling TV, the others are a bit more), you can get access to a ton of great cable news. The best part of these services is that there are no contracts. You can try whichever one you think best suits your needs and if you change your mind, cancel one service and try another.
But what if you don’t want to pay anything for news?
CBS News – CBS has long been known for their news department and now they have their very own 24/7 CBS News service. The best part is that it's 100% free. CBS News is on all the major streaming players like Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV. You can also stream it on the go with your phone or tablet and on their site.
Xumo – This streaming service available via Roku, Amazon and Apple is great for those hoping to replicate the cable experience. It offers a list of channels, including CBS, NBC and ABC News Live. Thanks to ad support, it's completely free.
Pluto TV – The same idea as Xumo. This one offers NBC News, Bloomberg and CNN (though the latter is mostly on-demand clips with the occasional live feed.
Sky News – Sometimes an international event happens and when it does, US news isn't always the best place to look for coverage. Sky News is one of the leading news sources in the UK and does a great job of covering not only UK news but world news as well. They offer a 24/7 live stream for free in their apps for Roku and other streaming players.
Viewing local news without cable is even easier, once you don't mind going retro. The first thing you should do is get an antenna if you don't have one. If you have a high definition TV, you can even get an HDTV antenna. Check out our guide to antennas to help you get started.
Now you should have access to all your local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC stations in great HD for free!
But what if you don't get the channel you want with an antenna? We have even more good news! You can use a service called NewsOn to stream your local news station in many parts of the US. Just check out their website to find a station near you.
Is your biggest fear about cutting the cord losing the Weather Channel? Checkout Weather Nation, a free 24/7 news channel dedicated 100% to weather. It's available on most major streaming players and even on your browser.
Once you know these tricks, it's clear the best place for news junkies isn't cable TV, but online streaming to your house or mobile device. Cut the cord and get your live news as well as news on-demand whenever you want it.
Got a favorite news streaming service that we didn't include? Post it here and let everyone know about your favorite way to watch the news without cable.