The Best Free Streaming News Services for Cord-Cutters

As a long-time cord-cutter, I've always been on the lookout for ways to get the content I want without the hefty cable bill. One of the most pressing questions I faced when I first cut the cord, and a common concern for both new and experienced cord-cutters, is, "How will I get my news?" The great news is, there are more free, high-quality streaming news options available today than ever before! You don't need a pricey live TV streaming service to stay informed.

Let's dive into the most popular and reliable free streaming news services that every cord-cutter should know about.

Major Network News: Always-On National Coverage

Many of the big traditional news networks now offer their own free, 24/7 live streaming channels. These are excellent resources for national and sometimes local news coverage, bringing you breaking stories as they happen.

ABC News Live

Description: A 24/7 continuous live stream from ABC News, covering national headlines and often including local segments. Where to find: Accessible through the ABC News app and on most major Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) platforms (e.g., Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Google TV Freeplay, Fire TV Channels).

CBS News 24/7

Description: Similar to ABC News, CBS offers a continuous live news stream with national and global content. Where to find: Available via the CBS News app and on most major FAST platforms (e.g., Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Google TV Freeplay, Fire TV Channels).

NBC News NOW

Description: NBC's free streaming news channel, providing a mix of live and on-demand news coverage. Where to find: Accessible through the NBC News app, Peacock (which has a free tier), and most major FAST platforms (e.g., Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Google TV Freeplay, Fire TV Channels).

LiveNOW from FOX

Description: A national news service powered by FOX Television Stations, offering a more raw and unfiltered look at breaking news as it unfolds. Where to find: Available through the FOX LOCAL app and on most major FAST platforms (e.g., Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Sling Freestream, LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus, Fire TV Channels, Google TV Freeplay).

Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) Platforms: Your New "Cable" Bundle

FAST platforms are fantastic for cord-cutters because they mimic the traditional cable TV experience with live, linear channels, but they are entirely free and supported by ads. Many of these platforms have dedicated news sections or channels.

Pluto TV

Description: Owned by Paramount, Pluto TV is packed with free channels. Its news section is robust, featuring curated content from CNN, CBS News, Bloomberg, Cheddar News, and many more. Device availability: Widely available on devices like Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, and Apple TV.

Tubi

Description: This FOX-owned service isn't just for movies and TV shows; it also boasts a great selection of live news channels, including ABC News Live, NBC News NOW, LiveNOW from FOX, Bloomberg, and Cheddar News. Device availability: Easily accessible on Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, and Apple TV devices.

The Roku Channel

Description: Roku's own free, ad-supported streaming service, deeply integrated into Roku streaming devices and Roku TVs. It features hundreds of free live TV channels, including a strong lineup of news and weather options like NewsON and USA Today, as well as channels like ABC News Live, NBC News Now, Fox Live Now, WeatherNation, Newsy Live, and Bloomberg Quicktake. Availability: Built into all Roku devices and Roku TVs. Also available on other platforms as a separate app.

Sling Freestream

Description: The free version of Sling TV, offering over 600 free live channels and a solid selection of news from ABC News, CBS News, and Newsy, with no account needed.

Smart TV Platform Integrations: News Built Right In

Beyond dedicated apps and standalone FAST platforms, many smart TV manufacturers are making it even easier to access free news by integrating their own streaming services directly into the television's operating system, creating a truly seamless viewing experience.

Roku

Description: The Roku platform provides its own free, ad-supported streaming service, The Roku Channel, offering hundreds of live TV channels with a strong news and weather lineup. News content is easily discoverable through the integrated Live TV Zone or Live TV Channel Guide, and various news apps are available in the Roku Channel Store. Availability: Found on all Roku streaming players and Roku TVs.

Fire TV (Amazon)

Description: Amazon's Fire TV platform provides Fire TV Channels, an integrated offering that aggregates popular FAST channels directly within the Fire TV experience. Its news lineup includes streams from ABC News Live, FOX LiveNOW, CBS News, NBC News Now, Scripps News, and various weather channels. Access: Integrated directly into Fire TV devices (Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, etc.) and accessible via app or Alexa.

Google TV

Description: The Google TV platform features Google TV Freeplay, a built-in FAST service seamlessly integrated into the "Live" tab. This provides a unified guide for hundreds of free live channels, including a robust selection of news and opinion content from various sources, often including live streams of local NBC affiliates. Availability: Found on devices running Google TV, such as Chromecast with Google TV, Google TV Streamers, and smart TVs with Google TV built-in.

Samsung (Tizen OS)

Description: Samsung smart TVs feature Samsung TV Plus, a comprehensive, built-in FAST service that often starts automatically. Its extensive "News & Opinion" section is easily navigated via a dedicated guide and includes CBS News 24/7, ABC News Live, NBC News NOW, LiveNOW from FOX, Scripps News, and a variety of local and international news channels. Availability: Built right into Samsung smart TVs, free without sign-up.

LG (webOS)

Description: LG's webOS platform includes LG Channels, a robust FAST service with a dedicated "News Hub." This provides integrated access to channels like CNN Headlines (curated content), LiveNOW from FOX, NBC News Now, Scripps News, ABC News Live, and Fox Weather, along with local content streams. Integration: Seamlessly integrated into LG's webOS smart TVs.

Vizio

Description: Vizio smart TVs offer WatchFree+, their own integrated FAST service. This platform provides a significant number of news channels, including major network news streams, available directly out of the box and discoverable through its integrated guide. Availability: Comes pre-installed on Vizio smart TVs.

Essential Local News Access: Don't Miss Out!

Staying informed about your local community is a vital part of being a well-rounded cord-cutter. While national and international news is important, local news provides critical updates on weather, traffic, local government, and community events that directly impact your daily life. The good news is, ditching cable doesn't mean losing touch with your hometown; there are numerous free ways to keep up with what's happening close to home.

NewsON

Description: A fantastic service for accessing live TV newscasts from over 200 local stations around the U.S., including previous newscasts for up to 48 hours. Device availability: Available on Roku, Google TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV.

Haystack News

Description: Offers personalized local and global news, pulling from a wide range of local stations and national news sources. Device availability: Available on Google TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV.

Local Now

Description: From The Weather Channel, Local Now provides localized content including news, weather, and more, specific to your location. It also offers a large library of free channels and movies. Device availability: Available as an app on Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV, Android, iOS, and through web browsers.

Very Local

Description: This app focuses on bringing local news, weather, and original content from Hearst Television markets. It offers live and on-demand content from local stations. Device availability: Available as an app on Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV, Android, iOS, Samsung Smart TVs (2019+), and LG Smart TVs (2019+).

Over-the-Air (OTA) Antenna

Description: A large outdoor antenna can pick up all the major network TV towers within range, including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and various smaller networks like MeTV, Antenna TV, and the ION channels. This typically covers areas up to 70 miles or more from broadcast towers. Further detail: Explain how using a device that integrates over-the-air (OTA) signals with streaming allows for whole-home viewing, out-of-home access, and integration with services like Sling TV, enhancing the cord-cutting experience.

Other Valuable Free News Resources

Beyond the major network and platform-integrated news options, a wealth of other valuable free news resources exists, demonstrating the vast array of ways to stay informed as a cord-cutter. This overview highlights many key options, but the world of free streaming news extends even further, offering diverse perspectives for every interest.

YouTube

Description: Many news organizations stream their content live on YouTube, offering 24/7 streams and on-demand content.

Al Jazeera English

Description: Excellent for international news coverage, offering a global perspective. Availability: Available on various FAST platforms and via its dedicated app.

BBC News

Description: The BBC's international news channel, providing 24-hour live coverage. Availability: Primarily available on various FAST platforms (e.g., Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, Xumo Play, VIZIO WatchFree!, Sling Freestream).

Bloomberg

Description: Offers a strong free streaming presence for business and financial news, with live coverage and market updates. Availability: Available on various FAST platforms and via its dedicated app.

PBS NewsHour

Description: Known for its in-depth and balanced reporting, often with free streaming options for live events and its nightly broadcast. Availability: Available via the PBS app and often on major FAST platforms.

Sky News

Description: A British free-to-air television news channel offering 24/7 live news coverage with a strong international focus. Availability: Available via the Sky News app on major streaming devices, and also on various FAST platforms (e.g., Peacock, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel).

Stay Informed, Stay Free

The landscape of free streaming news is constantly evolving, with more options becoming available all the time. Staying informed doesn't have to mean breaking the bank. My Streaming Life is all about finding smart ways to enjoy entertainment and stay connected without cable, and these free news services are perfect examples of how to do just that.