Where to Watch Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy for Free 2026

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Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen have become a dynamic, hard-not-to-love duo that viewers around the United States can’t seem to look away from every time CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve Live rolls around. If you’re a fan of the pair, you’ll be overjoyed to learn that the co-hosts are back at it with Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250. Yup, they’re gracing everyone’s screens once again from Times Square, but this time, on Friday, July 3, 2026 starting at 8 p.m. ET. What antics will the two get up to as they count down to Ameria’s 250th birthday? You’ll have to find out how to watch the Fourth of July special live online (and free of charge) ahead.

What is Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy?

Similar to CNN’s iconic New Year’s special, Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy will feature live coverage from Times Square, special guests, and reports from CNN correspondents who are covering various Fourth of July celebrations across the nation.

What time is Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy?

The one-time special will air on Friday, July 3, 2026 from 8 p.m. ET through 12:30 a.m. ET. That’s over four hours of Anderson and Andy funny moments (CNN is really giving the people what they want!).

What channel is Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy on?

Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy will air on CNN.

Where can I watch Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy online and for free?

If you no longer have cable, you might be wondering where you can watch the special live online and for free. Thankfully, you’ve got a few solid streaming options, including DirecTV, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV, with two offering free trials. So yes, yes, you can watch all four and a half hours of Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy without paying a single penny.

Editor’s Choice

Watch Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy with DirecTV Stream

– 5-day free trial
– Includes local networks and 90+ channels

DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial, which means you can watch the the Fourth of July special at no cost. All four plans include CNN, with the Entertainment one costing the least ($59.99 for the first month and $89.99 per month after your first month). If you’re shopping on a budget, though, we recommend the MyEntertainment package, which lets you watch over 60 channels, plus Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max, for a more affordable $42.99 per month.

We tested every streaming service with a free trial, and DirecTV came out on top as our editor’s pick. With its free trial and massive selection of channels and local networks, it’s a great choice for watching TV shows and sports events.

Lowest Price

Watch the Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy with Sling TV

– No free trial
– Daily, weekend, and weekly passes
– 40+ channels

Sling TV offers flexible viewing with three plans that will let you watch Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy on CNN: Sling Orange (best for sports and family), Sling Blue (best for news and entertainment) and Sling Orange & Blue (biggest selection and great value). Sling Orange and Sling Blue each cost $45.99 per month, while Sling Orange & Blue starts at $60.99 per month. If you’re on a tight budget or only want to sign up for something super short-term, Sling TV offers something the others don’t: a day pass. You can watch any of the channels that come with Sling Orange for $4.99 per day, making this the cheapest option on this list. This streaming service also offers three-day and seven-day passes if 24 hours isn’t enough but a month or a year is too much of a commitment or splurge.

Most Variety

Watch Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy with Hulu + Live TV

– 3-day free trial
– Large library of shows, movies, and Hulu Originals

The Hulu Live TV Only plan ($88.99 per month) and the Hulu + Live TV plan ($89.99 per month after three free days) are your most affordable options if you want to stream the CNN special through Hulu. The price difference is so small, but the better option is the Hulu + Live TV plan because it gives you access to Hulu’s streaming TV library (ad-supported) on top of live TV with over 75 top channels. Although Hulu + Live TV has some of the higher prices on this list, you’re paying for more variety, so it can be worth the splurge depending on your streaming needs. The latter also gives you Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN Select, if you’re after more variety in a bundle deal.