CNN has covered the news around the clock since Ted Turner launched it in 1980. In 2026, Skydance brought CNN and CBS News under one roof. Still, the network remains a familiar choice alongside Fox News and MS NOW, having ranked among cable TV’s top five in total-day viewership for six straight years through 2025.
You can pick up CNN through cable or satellite TV providers. But you’re a cord-cutter, you say? Several live TV streaming services carry the channel, while CNN All Access offers its own 24/7 news streams rather than the full CNN TV feed.
Keep reading for CNN channel numbers by city, your provider options, and a look at what’s on CNN. You can spend less time searching and more time catching up.
What channel is CNN on near me?
The channel CNN is on near you will depend on what TV provider you have and where you’re located. For example, the channel number for DIRECTV or DISH will be the same regardless of location, but numbers for providers like Spectrum and Xfinity will vary.
Don’t see your city below? Enter your zip code into our service-finder tool after the table to explore TV provider options and channel lineups near you.
CNN channel numbers in major U.S. cities
| City | Cox channel | DIRECTV channel | DISH channel | Optimum channel | Spectrum channel | Xfinity channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 229 |
| Anchorage, AK | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | — |
| Atlanta, GA | — | 202 | 200 | — | 44 | 834 |
| Austin, TX | — | 202 | 200 | — | 46 | — |
| Bakersfield, CA | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | — |
| Baltimore, MD | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 817 |
| Boston, MA | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 842 |
| Bronx, NY | — | 202 | 200 | 25 | 78 | — |
| Brooklyn, NY | — | 202 | 200 | 25 | 78 | — |
| Buffalo, NY | — | 202 | 200 | — | 29 | — |
| Charlotte, NC | — | 202 | 200 | — | 32 | — |
| Chicago, IL | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 216 |
| Cincinnati, OH | — | 202 | 200 | — | 77 | — |
| Cleveland, OH | 36 | 202 | 200 | — | 34 | — |
| Colorado Springs, CO | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 736 |
| Columbus, OH | — | 202 | 200 | — | 28 | — |
| Dallas, TX | — | 202 | 200 | — | 36 | — |
| Denver, CO | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 738 |
| Detroit, MI | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 213 |
| El Paso, TX | — | 202 | 200 | — | 31 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 423 |
| Fort Worth, TX | — | 202 | 200 | — | 36 | — |
| Fresno, CA | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 759 |
| Honolulu, HI | — | 202 | 200 | — | 113 | — |
| Houston, TX | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 625 |
| Indianapolis, IN | — | 202 | 200 | — | 38 | 1111 |
| Jacksonville, FL | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 423 |
| Kansas City, MO | — | 202 | 200 | — | 44 | — |
| Las Vegas, NV | 20 | 202 | 200 | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | — | 202 | 200 | — | 38 | — |
| Louisville, KY | — | 202 | 200 | — | 34 | — |
| Memphis, TN | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 849 |
| Miami, FL | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 423 |
| Milwaukee, WI | — | 202 | 200 | — | 44 | — |
| Minneapolis, MN | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 423 |
| Nashville, TN | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 1111 |
| New Orleans, LA | 29 | 202 | 200 | — | — | — |
| New York, NY | — | 202 | 200 | 25 | 78 | — |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 42 | 202 | 200 | — | — | — |
| Orlando, FL | — | 202 | 200 | — | 24 | 423 |
| Philadelphia, PA | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 817 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 36 | 202 | 200 | — | — | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 817 |
| Portland, OR | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 744 |
| Sacramento, CA | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 759 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 685 |
| San Antonio, TX | — | 202 | 200 | — | 35 | — |
| San Diego, CA | 31 | 202 | 200 | — | 26 | — |
| San Francisco, CA | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 759 |
| San Jose, CA | — | 202 | 200 | — | 62 | 759 |
| Seattle, WA | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 657 |
| St. Louis, MO | — | 202 | 200 | — | 38 | — |
| St. Paul, MN | — | 202 | 200 | — | 30 | 213 |
| Tampa, FL | — | 202 | 200 | — | 29 | 423 |
| Tucson, AZ | 31 | 202 | 200 | — | — | 229 |
| Washington, DC | — | 202 | 200 | — | — | 817 |
Data effective as of post date.
How to get CNN
CNN is widely available through cable and satellite providers, including Spectrum and Xfinity. If you’ve cut the cord, you can get the live CNN channel through DIRECTV’s streaming plans, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV. Just be sure to double-check the lineup before signing up, since channels can vary across base plans, genre packs, and add-ons.
Want CNN coverage without a live TV bundle? CNN All Access offers 24/7 news streams, exclusive videos, CNN Originals, and articles through CNN.com and the CNN app. It’s a separate viewing option, though, as the full CNN TV channel still requires a participating TV provider.
Live TV packages with local networks, news, entertainment, and premium add-ons.
- Satellite and streaming TV options
- National and regional sports channels
- Unlimited cloud DVR on streaming plans
Live TV from 100+ channels with strong sports coverage and unlimited DVR.
- 100+ live channels on the main plan
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- Multiple household accounts
Flexible live TV packages with customizable sports, news, and entertainment options.
- Orange, Blue, and add-on options
- Sports Extra and premium add-ons
- 50 hours of cloud DVR included
Live TV and on-demand favorites bundled together in one plan.
- 95+ live TV channels
- Disney+ and ESPN Select access
- Unlimited cloud DVR
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What’s on CNN?
CNN covers breaking news and U.S. and world affairs throughout the day. Its lineup includes “CNN News Central,” “Inside Politics with Dana Bash,” “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown,” and “The Lead with Jake Tapper.”
In the evening, you’ll find shows such as “Erin Burnett OutFront,” “Anderson Cooper 360,” and “The Source with Kaitlan Collins.” CNN also makes room for interviews and longer-form reporting, including “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper.” But keep an eye on CNN’s schedule, since breaking news can change what’s airing.
CNN channel FAQ
Can I watch CNN for free?
Yes, eligible new customers can watch the full CNN channel during a limited free trial of a live TV service such as DIRECTV or YouTube TV. You can also stream CNN Headlines for free on the network's site, app, and YouTube channel, but keep in mind that it's a separate feed rather than the full CNN channel.
How can I watch CNN without a traditional TV provider?
You can watch CNN without a traditional TV provider by subscribing to any of the following live TV streaming services that offer the channel: DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV. CNN All Access also offers 24/7 live news streams, but it doesn't carry the full CNN TV channel feed.
Can I watch CNN on HBO Max?
HBO Max no longer carries the CNN Max live news feed, though it still offers select CNN Originals. To watch the full CNN TV channel, you'll need a participating TV provider.
More ways to watch news coverage
Find Fox News channel numbers by city and provider, then see how to watch the live feed on FOX One or through cable, satellite, and streaming TV.
Find MS NOW channel numbers across 50+ U.S. cities, compare live TV providers, and see how to stream the former MSNBC news channel directly.
The channel number of CBS varies by city and by whether you have a cable or satellite provider (or use an antenna). There are over 200 local CBS TV stations across the country, with at least one in every state, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The Eye is everywhere.
