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Live news is one of the easiest things to watch free. The big US networks all run free 24/7 streaming news channels: NBC News NOW, ABC News Live and CBS News 24/7. You can watch them on the networks' own websites and apps, or inside free services like Pluto TV and Tubi. For local news, an antenna is best, and Tubi and NewsON carry local newscasts from many cities.
National news, free
| Channel | Where to watch free |
|---|---|
| NBC News NOW | nbcnews.com/now, NBC News app, and free services |
| ABC News Live | abcnews.go.com/Live, ABC News app, and free services |
| CBS News 24/7 | cbsnews.com/live, CBS News app, Pluto TV |
These are streaming channels with their own schedules, drawing on each network's newsroom. Line-ups inside the free apps change, so if one disappears from an app, go to the network's own site.
News inside free apps
- Pluto TV has a large news section, including CBS News; see the best Pluto TV channels.
- Tubi carries national and local news channels; see Tubi guide.
- The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Plex and Google TV Freeplay all have news categories; Freeplay's August 2026 expansion added channels including Bloomberg TV+.
Local news
- An antenna gets your local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations, with their morning, evening and late newscasts, free. See how to watch local channels free.
- Tubi has local news channels for many US cities.
- NewsON streams local newscasts from many stations across the US (newson.us).
- Station apps and websites: many local stations stream their newscasts live on their own sites.
International news
Many international broadcasters stream live free on their own websites and official YouTube channels. Stick to official channels: unofficial restreams of news channels are unreliable and often a vehicle for scam ads.
Weather and business news
Free services also carry dedicated weather and business channels. Google TV Freeplay added Bloomberg TV+ in its August 2026 expansion, and weather channels appear across Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and others. For severe weather, your local station's broadcast via an antenna is often the most detailed and reliable source, and it works when the internet is down; see TV without internet.
A simple free news setup
- Favourite NBC News NOW, ABC News Live and CBS News 24/7 in the free apps you use.
- Add an antenna for your local stations' newscasts.
- Install Tubi for local news channels in many cities.
- Keep the networks' own apps on your phone for breaking news on the go.
That covers national, local and breaking news for nothing, with no cable box.
Why avoid unofficial news streams
Unofficial restreams of cable news channels on random sites or playlists are unreliable and often surrounded by scam ads and fake download prompts. With so much news available free from the broadcasters themselves, there's no reason to use them. See Is IPTV safe?
News on your TV's built-in service
Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Google TV Freeplay and Fire TV Channels all include news categories, so you may already have free news on your TV without installing anything.
Quick picks
- National news, free: NBC News NOW, ABC News Live, CBS News 24/7.
- Local news, free: antenna, Tubi, NewsON.
- Built into your TV: Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Google TV Freeplay, Fire TV Channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying for a streaming package just for news, when the networks' streaming channels are free.
- Using unofficial restreams surrounded by scam adverts.
- Forgetting an antenna, the most reliable source of local news during outages.
Watching on the TV
Every service above has apps for Fire TV, Roku, Google TV and Apple TV. If you're setting up a device for free TV, start with the best free live TV apps, and see what FAST TV is for how these free channels are funded.
Frequently asked questions
- How can I watch live news for free?
- Watch the networks' free streaming channels, NBC News NOW, ABC News Live and CBS News 24/7, on their websites and apps or inside free services like Pluto TV and Tubi. Add an antenna for local news.
- Can I watch local news for free?
- Yes. An antenna gets your local stations' newscasts free. Tubi carries local news channels for many US cities, and NewsON streams local newscasts from many stations.
- Are free news channels the same as the TV networks?
- Not exactly. NBC News NOW, ABC News Live and CBS News 24/7 are streaming channels with their own schedules, sharing each network's newsroom. Network evening newscasts air on your local stations.
- Is free news on YouTube legal?
- Yes, when it's on the broadcaster's official channel. Many news organisations livestream on their own YouTube channels.
- Can I watch CNN or Fox News free?
- Not the full cable channels. They require a pay-TV or streaming subscription. Free options include the networks' free streaming channels such as LiveNOW from Fox and news clips on their official apps and YouTube channels.
- Is NewsON free?
- Yes. NewsON streams local newscasts from many US stations for free.
- Do free news channels have ads?
- Yes. They're ad-supported, like broadcast TV.
- Is ABC News Live free?
- Yes. ABC News Live streams free on ABC News's website and app, and in some free streaming services.
- Can I watch local news on Roku for free?
- Yes, through apps like NewsON and Tubi, local station apps, or an antenna on a Roku TV.
- Can I watch world news free?
- Many international broadcasters stream free on their websites and official YouTube channels, and free apps carry several international news channels.
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IPTVTips is written and maintained by a small editorial team. We check every guide against official documentation from app developers, device makers and broadcasters, and we update articles when menus, prices or availability change. We only cover legal uses of IPTV.
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