Watch CNN without cable from anywhere in 2025

CNN is one of the biggest news channels in the US, covering everything from sports, entertainment, celebrity gossip, current affairs, global news, and the latest in business and finance. However, CNN is geo-blocked, making it difficult to watch outside the US.

For people living in the United States, many streaming services offer CNN live without cable. This makes it easy to stream the CNN channel live conveniently on any device. We checked these streaming services and will list the top options for watching CNN without cable.

On the other hand, for viewers outside the United States, CNN's live TV channel is unavailable due to geo-restrictions. Luckily, you can use a VPN outside the United States to access US streaming services and watch CNN anywhere. Whether it’s Canada, Australia, or any other English-speaking country, you’ll have no trouble accessing CNN abroad.

How to watch CNN without cable in the USA

1. Choose an online streaming service that includes CNN. We recommend Max, which costs only $9.99/month
2. Download the streaming service’s app or visit its website
3. Create a new account or log in with an existing one
4. Search for the CNN channel
5. Tune into CNN in the USA!

Streaming services to watch CNN without cable

CNN is available on cable TV in the US. However, you can watch CNN online without a cable subscription on any of the following streaming services:

Streaming service	Cost per month
Max	$9.99
Hulu+ Live TV	$64.99
Comcast Xfinity	$46.95
DirecTV	$70
Sling TV	$35
YouTube TV	$65

These streaming services are only available in the US. Don't worry, though, because all you need is a VPN, and you can access them anywhere. Here, we’ll break down what you need to do to bypass region restrictions on each of these streaming services:

• Max. This is the best overall streaming service if you want a good selection of top-quality cinema besides CNN. Also, it’s vital to mention that this streaming service includes 24/7 live news coverage with CNN Max. Crucially, you can easily access the service outside the US using a top-quality Max VPN.
  
• Hulu+ Live TV. With one of the most impressive content libraries, you’ll never run out of things to watch on Hulu. While pricey, the service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ streaming platforms in one package. And if you’d like to watch Hulu anywhere, you’ll need to use a strong VPN, like NordVPN, to connect to a server in the country.
• Comcast Xfinity. If you’re looking for an alternative to paying for cable, or you want to watch US TV from outside the country, a Comcast Xfinity subscription won’t disappoint you. To access it anywhere, download a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN, and use it to connect to a US server.
  
• DirecTV. This provider has a variety of packages filled with content that you and your family will want to watch. You can stream it from wherever using a VPN with US servers, like Surfshark.
• Sling TV. Sling is an attractive, budget-friendly option, with access to more than 30 channels for just $35 a month. To watch it where you are, download a VPN, such as IPVanish, and use it to connect to a server in the US.
• YouTube TV. If you want to watch CNN outside the US, you can find it on YouTube TV and a massive catalog of other content that will keep you entertained. Sign up for a VPN, such as Surfshark, to get it to work where you are.

How to watch CNN outside United States

Watching CNN outside the US requires having a suitable streaming service and a VPN with servers in America. Here’s a rundown of the whole process:

1. Pick a streaming service that includes CNN. Our top recommendation is Max
2. Install a VPN that can unblock your chosen streaming platform. I would use NordVPN with Max
3. Open the VPN application and connect to any server in the US
4. Visit the Max website or app
5. Open CNN and enjoy its excellent content anywhere!

Why do you need a VPN to watch CNN?

Although CNN is a world-renowned media company, its coveted 24/7 news coverage is exclusive to the United States. Moreover, simply using a VPN with US servers is not enough because you also need TV provider credentials to access the channel online.

Thankfully, there’s a workaround in the form of online streaming services. While many are geo-restricted, you only need a US IP address and a subscription to access them. Some even offer a free trial, meaning you can test the setup without monetary commitment.

We’ve tested various VPN and streaming service combinations and ultimately determined that Max and NordVPN work best at unblocking CNN anywhere. Best of all, both services are affordable and are some of the leading options in their respective categories.

Best VPNs to watch CNN without cable

You’ll have the best experience watching CNN without cable if you pick a reliable and ultra-fast VPN service. These providers will guarantee lag-free online streaming when connecting to US servers from anywhere. Plus, they’re compatible with various devices suitable for watching TV. Below are our top 3 VPN picks for streaming CNN anywhere:

1. NordVPN – the best VPN to watch CNN in 2025
2. Surfshark VPN – the most cost-effective VPN for streaming CNN
3. IPVanish – robust and reliable VPN for CNN

How to watch CNN on Roku without cable

Roku devices don't support VPN apps. However, you can get around this easily. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Subscribe to a VPN that comes with a strong offering of US servers. We recommend NordVPN
   
2. Configure your home router with a VPN connection in the US. Alternatively, install the VPN on a device that can act as a Wi-Fi hotspot
   
3. Connect your Roku-enabled device to the router network
   
4. Switch on your TV and select the CNNgo app on the Roku home screen
5. Settle in for the night and watch the news

How to watch CNN on Firestick without cable

Unlike a lot of streaming devices, Amazon Firesticks support VPNs. This means you can download the software onto your Firestick and watch any content you like. Here’s how:

1. Download and install a VPN that can unblock CNN from your location. We recommend NordVPN
2. Connect to a server in the US
3. Install the CNNgo app on your Firestick
4. Gather your family together to watch the news from around the world

How to watch CNN live while traveling outside the US

If you’re traveling outside the US, you’ll find that CNN is geo-blocked, meaning it’s unavailable on streaming services outside the country. But whether you’re traveling in Canada, Australia, the UK, or anywhere in Europe, all you need to do is use a reliable VPN to connect to a server in the US. For more information, take a look at our guide on the best VPNs for traveling.

Alternatively, if you’re in the US but want to watch CNN without a cable TV subscription, you can watch it on any streaming services listed above.

To watch CNN with a VPN, follow these simple instructions:

1. Download and install a VPN with a range of US servers. We recommend NordVPN
2. Complete the sign-up process and open the VPN app
3. Connect to a server in the US
   
4. Open your streaming service’s app or website. Our top option for watching CNN is Max
5. Settle in for some breaking news

Can’t access CNN stream with a VPN?

It’s frustrating, but sometimes you can follow all the steps and still not be able to access CNN from abroad. If this is the case for you, it might be that your VPN isn’t working at the moment, or that you’ve accidentally connected to a server in the wrong country.

If you’ve checked these things, you might want to look at our guide on how to use a VPN, or investigate these common problems:

• Your VPN can’t unblock CNN’s geo-restrictions
• The streaming service or CNNgo app may have updated its geo-blocks so that your VPN can’t access the channel anymore
• Your cookies may be showing your true location
• Your real IP address could be leaking

If this sounds like you, we’d recommend:

• Trying another browser
• Checking that you’ve enabled IP leak protection on your VPN
• Connecting to a different server on your VPN
• Clearing your cookies and cache
• Contacting your VPN’s customer service advisors

If this doesn’t fix your issue, it might well be time to upgrade to a better VPN. We’ve come up with some suggestions of VPNs that can unblock CNN earlier in this guide.

What can you watch on CNN?

CNN is one of the biggest news channels on the planet. And as such, you can watch 24-hour news coverage of everything from current affairs, and global news, to entertainment, sports, and even financial advice.

But aside from breaking news, CNN also has a rich catalog of documentaries, news shows, and even reality TV. Here’s a quick roundup of some of the best things you can watch on CNN:

Title	Genre
American Dynasties: The Kennedys	Docuseries
Anderson Cooper 360	News show
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown	Reality TV
Diana	Docuseries
First Ladies	Docuseries
History of the Sitcom	Docuseries
Jerusalem: City of Faith and Fury	Miniseries
Quest’s World of Wonder	Reality TV
Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy	Miniseries
The Price of Freedom	Documentary
The Windsors: Inside the Royal Dynasty	Documentary

To find out all the latest content CNN has to offer, be sure to keep an eye on CNN’s website, or the channel’s official Twitter page.

Conclusion

To watch CNN without cable anywhere, you’ll need to use a VPN to connect to a US server. After that, you can sign up for a subscription service that has the rights to show CNN, such as Max and Hulu + live TV. You’ll then be able to catch up on all the content CNN has to offer from wherever you are.

Aside from this, a VPN comes with many benefits, including protecting sensitive information by encrypting your data while you’re online. This will keep it safe from cybercriminals, hackers, and snoops. Even better, it will allow you to access any content worldwide.

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