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CNN is the first 24-hour all-news service offered by WarnerMedia. CNN’s headquarters are in Atlanta, and Ted Turner is the platform’s founder, TBS, and was supposedly told by industry insiders that he couldn’t do that. Years later, in 1980, the channel occupied space on the air for its viewers to watch CNN online, and this was replaced by a news program anchored by the couple Dave Walker and Lois Hart. To begin with, its wealthier rivals mocked it by calling it the Chicken Noodle Network for lack of financial support.
Yet, it had been an agonizing route toward acceptance because of the poor budget of the TV and radio community. Maturing and expanding along with the cable industry, CNN maintained a loyal global following by offering what the major networks did not: in-depth and complete storytelling of both big and small stories. It coined its mantra as “Go live, stick to it, and make it a matter of importance” during this period. The ban on terms such as “foreign” and “home here” was necessary for CNN to serve the internal audience. However, there is speculation on whether you may watch CNN online for free. Today, you can watch CNN for free in several ways.
Brief History of CNN
First, we will discuss the channel’s brief history as it overtook other networks by providing a live broadcast of the Challenger space shuttle tragedy. Five years later, CNN led the pack with its real-time broadcast “in-country” from the Persian Gulf War. CNN reporters used correspondents like Benard Shaw, Peter Arnett, and John Holliman to cover the battlegrounds from opposite perspectives. Well-known CNN reporters and commentators include Daniel Schorr, Catherine Crier, Paula Zahn, Wolf Blitzer, Christiane Amanpour, and Mary Alice Williams.
Since 1980, a celebrity, James Earl Jones, has been providing “the voice of CNN,” where his recorded voice regularly intones, “This is CNN.” In addition to news broadcasts, CNN offered a menu of daily and weekly prime-time series, including Moneyline (Larry King has been one of CNN’s top programs for many years), which aired during the night and was the most popular interview program across all cable networks for several years.
Some recent CNN staples today include Anderson Cooper 360° and The Situation Room. In 2013, the channel started adding documentary and reality television programs, notably Anthony Bourdain: The award-winning travel show Parts Unknown (2013-2018), starring the former chef Anthony Bourdain. However, in 1996, CNN and other news networks in the Turner Broadcasting System were bought by entertainment behemoth Time Warner Inc., now called WarnerMedia.
Is it Possible to Watch CNN for Free?
CNN is ranked the third most-watched news channel in the United States. Its programming may still need to climb to Fox News’ level, but it has a reputation for award-winning journalism. It became a phenomenon in 2018 when the network achieved a record six News and Documentary Emmys and the George Polk Award for Foreign Television Reporting. It produces programs like The Lead with Jake Tapper – the most famous prime time show, The Situation Room, and Erin Burnett Outfront, which also occupies the top 30 news cable shows of 2022. CNN is famous for its continuous live coverage of breaking news and fast reporting of live events worldwide.
Users on the Internet are searching for ways to watch CNN online for free without cable and, unfortunately, failed to achieve their targeted results. You can catch the channel’s streaming live on various paid platforms like Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, and LiveNewsPro. However, you can watch CNN Live for free on the official station app and catch live programming simultaneously on CNNgo as it airs on the satellite TV channel.
How Do You Watch CNN Transmission Online for Free?
Before going into several ways of watching CNN for free, you will require some necessary tools to make your view enjoyable. Although these requirements may slightly differ depending on the way you choose, here are the general necessities:
- A Stable Internet Connection: A reliable internet connection is necessary for accessing CNN and streaming its content online. This will ensure smooth playback and viewing.
- A Compatible Device: You need a device capable of surfing and streaming, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop PC, or smart TV.
- A Web Browser: Install the latest web browser to use CNN’s website. Common preferences are Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox.
- Mobile Apps: To stream CNN on a smartphone or tablet, one must download a mobile app. You can find it in the app store for both Android and iOS.
- Streaming Services: Ensure you have a subscription or can access websites such as YouTube TV, AT&T TV Now, and Hulu TV for live streaming services offering CNN if it intends to use. As we discussed above, you can use CNNgo for free CNN live streaming.
- With the above essentials, you can enjoy CNN for free without glitches. Once you have all these things, you can explore the various techniques and pick the one that suits you and your needs.
How to Watch CNN Online without a Cable Connection in the United States
It is convenient to watch CNN if you have cable. Just tune into channel 202. You could watch it online on CNNgo using a mobile device, a Fire Stick, or Roku. Whatever method you choose requires a cable subscription, as you still sign in with your provider details to access CNN online. However, several low-cost alternatives like LiveNewsPro for streaming CNN exist if you have fully sworn off cable. The paid service offers just $18 for three months, and you can catch the service with cross-device compatibility and no web ads.
Moreover, OTT service Sling TV’s Sling Blue package, comprising over 40 news and entertainment channels, costs $40 monthly. Still, lucky new subscribers pay half the fee for the initial monthly subscription. It comes with fifty hours of DVR storage and streaming through three devices.
Afterward, you may choose Hulu + Live TV with ads for $69.99 monthly. It comprises over eighty live TV channels, Hulu Originals, on-demand content, and Disney Plus and ESPN Plus at $53 per month. However, regrettably, the plan does not offer a free trial period. Another option is YouTube TV at $64.99; DirecTV ($59.99) might also be an option.
Watching CNN Outside the US
However, if one travels outside the nation, one cannot access the standard platform or watch the live newscast on CNN. This is due to geo-blocking or digital borders prohibiting services and content in particular regions. The best VPN will circumvent these digital borders but offer strong protection against cyber criminals and government spying so that one can watch CNN online. They’re also straightforward to use.
