How to Watch CNBC Without Cable

CNBC is a cable TV channel that you can watch on five live TV streaming services.

You can watch CNBC live on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV. Opting for cord-cutting remains significantly more cost-effective than the $200 per month cable bill you’ve been accustomed to.

Having navigated the world of cord-cutting since 2016, I’ve extensively tested every major streaming service to watch CNBC without the hefty cable bill. I’m using my personal experience with platforms like Sling TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, and YouTube TV, alongside a deep understanding of the news landscape, to guide you through the best choices.

TV SERVICE	PROS	CONS
Sling TV	Most affordable, News Extra bundle adds CNBC, multiple device streaming.	Limited channel variety compared to others.
Fubo	Extensive channel lineup, large Cloud DVR, multiple sports channels.	Higher cost, regional sports fee.
Hulu + Live TV	Broad channel selection, includes Disney+ and ESPN+, unlimited Cloud DVR.	Higher monthly cost.
DIRECTV STREAM	Wide channel array, unlimited Cloud DVR, premium options available.	Higher price, less flexibility.
YouTube TV	Comprehensive news coverage, unlimited Cloud DVR, three-screen streaming.	Slightly higher price, add-ons cost extra.

What’s on CNBC?

CNBC covers business news and both U.S. and international financial markets. It was previously named Consumer News and Business Channel.

The network caters to investors who prefer starting their mornings with “Squawk Box” and has long been a home for “Mad Money with Jim Cramer.”

Following the close of the markets, CNBC airs a variety of reality shows, including “The Profit,” and offers its own brand of true crime programming with “American Greed.”

Recently, CNBC has been gaining popularity due to the rise of no-fee trading apps.

When checking updates on Facebook stock or the Dow Jones Industrial Average, it is advisable to avoid relying on snippets from the CNBC YouTube channel or dubious live stream links on Reddit.

Sling TV’s Blue plan is the best deal for most people because it’s the lowest price around for a mix of news, entertainment and sports channels. The 47 channels in the Blue plan include NFL Network, AMC, FX, CNN, TNT, FS1, FS2 and Bravo.

Sling Blue costs $40 per month. The News Extra bundle adds CNBC and 12 other channels for $6 per month. News Extra also has BBC World News, FOX Business and WeatherNation. 

You will get 50 hours of Cloud DVR space as part of your subscription. Subscribers can watch live TV on up to three screens at once. Sling TV lets you sign in to a number of apps – up to 22 – on your Roku and other streaming devices.

Sling TV is an excellent choice for viewers seeking an affordable way to access CNBC, alongside a balanced mix of news and entertainment. While it offers fewer channels than YouTube TV, its lower price makes it attractive for budget-conscious subscribers.

Sling TV works on Apple TV, Roku, Android TV Smart TVs, Google Chromecast, Fire TV Stick or Cube. You can also stream CNN using the Sling TV app on an Xbox One, iPhone, PC, and LG TV.

Fubo (formerly fuboTV) has 182 channels and 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR as part of its Pro bundle. 

A subscription to the Pro bundle costs $74.99 per month. Fubo offers three plans, Pro, Elite and Premier.

CNBC and FOX Business are included in the channel package along with ESPN, and local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations. Fubo is more of a full cable-TV replacement. It has sought-after regional sports channels such as Bally Sports, NBC Sports, NESN and MSG. 

Subscribers get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR storage. You can watch live TV on 10 screens at once. A regional sports fee is included, and costs between $10.99 to $13.99 per month. 

The Elite plan is $84.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Premier plan has 231 channels, including Showtime and NFL RedZone, for $99.99 per month.

Fubo stands out for sports lovers and CNBC watchers, offering an extensive range of sports and business channels. Its higher price is justified by the channel variety, overshadowing Hulu + Live TV’s sports offerings.

fuboTV has apps for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast and other Android TV Smart TVs and devices.

You can look over the local channel lineup for your area, or sign up for a free 7-day trial. 

Hulu with Live TV lets you stream CNBC live as part of a 90+ channel lineup. This service has ESPN and local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations. You get unlimited Cloud DVR, and networks familiar to anyone with a cable subscription.

A&E, CNN, TNT, ESPN2, Big Ten Network and HGTV are included. Users can watch on up to two devices at once, including iPhones and Android smartphones when you’re not at home. 

A subscription costs $76.99 per month. Disney+ and ESPN+ is now included with a Hulu + Live TV subscription. Ideal for families and entertainment enthusiasts, Hulu + Live TV provides CNBC alongside a vast range of channels, including Disney+ and ESPN+. This service offers more variety than Sling TV, making it a comprehensive choice for diverse viewing needs.

Hulu lets you activate 38 apps with a Live TV subscription. So you can get extra live streams from some network apps.

CNBC is available on DIRECTV STREAM’s Entertainment bundle, which costs $79.99 per month. Subscribers get 75+ channels, unlimited Cloud DVR and 40,000 on-demand shows.

DIRECTV STREAM has ESPN, Nickelodeon, HGTV and TNT. Along with CNN, there’s CNN International and CNN En Español, You’ll find C-SPAN and C-SPAN2 as well.

The Choice package has 40 regional sports networks, including Bally Sports networks, NBC Sports, NESN, Marquee Sports Network and YES Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels for $108.99 per month. 

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including local channels, and more sports and entertainment channels. The Ultimate package is $119.99 per month. The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as Max, Cinemax and Showtime. A subscription to Premier is $164.99 per month.

DIRECTV STREAM suits viewers looking for a wide selection of channels, including CNBC, and an extensive on-demand library. It offers more premium options than Fubo, although at a higher price point.

You’ll be able to stream CNBC live on a Roku, Apple TV or Fire TV at home, and a smartphone if you’re not at home. Your subscription is month to month so you can cancel whenever you want. 

YouTube TV has every major news network out there, including CNBC, CNBC World and CNN. 

Subscribers get 128 channels and unlimited Cloud DVR for $72.99 per month.

Subscribers get local ABC, CBS, NBC and PBS stations. The channel lineup includes ESPN, Oxygen Network, USA Network, Comedy Central, FOX News, CNN, and Telemundo.

You can watch TV or on-demand content on up to three screens at once. You can add on premium channels such as Max (formerly HBO Max) to the base plan. Customers get unlimited Cloud DVR and an on-demand library.

YouTube TV is perfect for news junkies needing comprehensive coverage, including CNBC, with the flexibility of unlimited Cloud DVR. It has a broader news network selection than DIRECTV STREAM, appealing to viewers prioritizing news and current events.

YouTube TV has apps for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and mobile ones for iPhones and Android smartphones so you can stream CNN to a TV using Chromecast.

What’s the best way to watch CNBC without cable?

The answer depends on what else you want to watch besides business news and stock market analysis. Let’s review a couple things and narrow down your choices.

Sling TV is currently the cheapest option that combines CNBC and other live TV channels. A subscription costs $46 per month. You’ll need to subscribe to the Sling Blue plan with the News Extra bundle.

After evaluating the options, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV also stand out as the top choices for streaming CNBC, considering their channel variety, features, and price.

Fubo is a full-fledged cable-TV replacement, especially appealing to sports enthusiasts with its extensive channel lineup, including CNBC, regional sports networks, and 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR. However, its higher price and regional sports fee may be a concern for some viewers.

Hulu + Live TV offers a comprehensive package of over 90 channels, including CNBC, ESPN, and local stations, with the added benefit of Disney+ and ESPN+. Its slightly higher cost is balanced by the broad range of entertainment and sports channels.

Note: This article was published on February 1, 2021 and has been updated to reflect new pricing.

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