President Joe Biden will deliver his third State of the Union address on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT). The annual speech before a joint session of Congress provides a significant platform for the president to speak directly to the American people about his policy agenda and vision for the country.
With the 2024 presidential election looming, this State of the Union carries even higher stakes for Biden as he lays the groundwork for his re-election campaign. The nationally televised address offers the president an unmatched opportunity to reach millions of viewers and make his case for why he deserves a second term in the White House.
Biden is expected to tout his administration’s economic achievements, defend his record on issues like abortion rights, and present his policy plans for the future. He will also likely draw contrasts with Republicans and former President Donald Trump as the 2024 race begins to intensify.
For Americans interested in watching the State of the Union live, there are numerous options across cable, broadcast TV, streaming platforms and more. Here’s a guide on how to tune in:
Watching on Cable/Broadcast TV The State of the Union address will air live on all the major broadcast networks and cable news channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, CNN, MSNBC and Fox News. Coverage will begin before 9 p.m. ET with pre-speech analysis and commentary.
For those with a TV package that includes the major networks, simply tune into the channel of your choice to watch the speech live and the Democratic and Republican responses that will follow after Biden concludes his remarks.
Streaming Online for Free For cord-cutters without a cable subscription, there are several free options to stream the president’s speech online:
WhiteHouse.gov: The White House’s official website will provide a free live stream of the State of the Union along with an American Sign Language interpretation.
News Network Websites/Apps: Most major news outlets like CBS News, NBC News, ABC News, CNN, Fox News, etc. will offer a free live stream of the address on their websites and mobile apps with a TV provider login.
YouTube TV: Google’s YouTube TV service offers a free preview of their live TV streaming for major events like the State of the Union. Sign up to access a variety of news channels streaming Biden’s speech.
Premium Streaming Services Many premium live TV streaming platforms are an option for those looking to watch the speech with a paid subscription:
Paramount+ ($11.99/month): As a CBS property, Paramount+ will stream Biden’s State of the Union address live through their premium tier that includes access to your local CBS station.
Peacock Premium ($4.99/month): NBC’s Peacock streaming service will broadcast the speech through their premium plan that has a livestream of NBC and other cable channels.
Hulu + Live TV ($69.99/month): Hulu’s live TV bundle provides access to watch the State of the Union across ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and cable news networks.
FuboTV (From $74.99/month): The sports-focused FuboTV carries live streams of major broadcast networks that will air Biden’s address.
Sling TV (From $40/month): One of the lower-cost live TV streaming services, Sling TV’s Blue package offers Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and more for viewing the speech.
Additionally, many of the major live TV streaming platforms offer limited free trial periods for new subscribers, providing an opportunity to watch the State of the Union without an upfront fee.
Using a TV Antenna For those looking to avoid any subscriptions, an HD digital TV antenna can be a budget-friendly way to watch the address live. With an antenna properly set up, viewers can access broadcasts from their local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and PBS stations to tune into the State of the Union coverage.
However, it’s important to note that antenna signal strength can be affected by factors like location, surrounding buildings or terrain. Those in urban areas or with an unobstructed line-of-sight tend to get the best reception compared to rural locations.
No matter which viewing option Americans choose, Biden’s State of the Union speech promises to be a pivotal political event as he officially kick-starts his 2024 presidential campaign amid intense partisan rancor. The prime-time address will give the president a powerful platform to outline his vision before a national audience.
While Biden will likely draw sharp rebukes from Republicans during and after his speech, the State of the Union also represents a key opportunity for him to confront criticisms head-on and make his case directly to the public as his re-election bid begins in earnest.
