SKYWALLAt a glance
| Cost | Channels | At once | Sound | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV multiview | From $82.99 a month, US only | Its US lineup, including CNN, Fox News and local stations | 4 | One at a time |
| Apple TV app multiview | Apple TV subscription | Live sports in the subscription, such as MLS | 4 (5 on Apple Vision Pro) | One at a time |
| ViewGrid | Free | Any YouTube, Twitch, Kick or Rumble link you add | Up to 20 on the web, 6 in the app | You choose |
| Browser tabs or windows | Free | Anything you open | As many as the computer handles | Every tab can play at once |
| iPad windows and Picture in Picture | Free | Whatever apps you open | Several windows plus one small video | Usually one app |
| Skywall | One-time purchase | Broadcasters' official live streams from over 40 countries | Up to 9 (6 on iPhone) | One screen, switched with a tap |
Prices are for the United States and change; check each service before you buy.
1. YouTube TV multiview
YouTube TV is a US pay-TV subscription. Its multiview shows four channels at once on TV devices and phones, from combinations it offers, and you hear one of them. It's the way to see US cable news channels such as CNN, Fox News and MS NOW together, because those don't stream their TV channels free on YouTube. More in Skywall or YouTube TV multiview?.
2. The Apple TV app's multiview
The Apple TV app shows up to four live games at once (five on Apple Vision Pro) for sports in the Apple TV subscription, such as MLS. It's built for game nights, not news. More in Skywall or the Apple TV app's multiview?.
3. ViewGrid
ViewGrid is a free multi-stream viewer for the web, phones and TV devices. You paste the links you want, from YouTube, Twitch, Kick or Rumble, or start from its presets. It suits people who already know which streams they want. More in Skywall or ViewGrid?.
4. Browser tabs or windows on a computer
Open each live stream in its own window and tile them. It's free and works with anything, but every window plays sound until you mute it, autoplay settings can stop streams from starting, and many streams at once take a fast connection and computer. The steps are in how to watch several live streams on a Mac.
5. The iPad's own windows
An iPad can show several app windows and one Picture in Picture video, free. Starting a video in one app usually pauses or silences the other, so it works best for two videos you watch in turn. See how to watch several live streams on an iPad and Skywall or the iPad's own windows?.
6. Skywall
Skywall is an app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro built for this one job. It plays only broadcasters' official live streams on YouTube, from a ready catalog: up to nine at once (six on iPhone), with one screen playing sound that you switch with a tap. Ready-made walls cover world news, markets and big nights, and a TV can show the wall by cable or AirPlay with the iPhone or iPad as the remote. See which news channels are live right now.
Which one to choose
- US cable news channels side by side: YouTube TV.
- Live sports from the Apple TV subscription: the Apple TV app.
- Free, on any platform, with links you find yourself: ViewGrid.
- Now and then, on a computer: browser windows.
- Two videos on an iPad: the iPad's own windows.
- News from many countries on Apple devices and the TV, with one sound you choose: Skywall.
Questions
What is the cheapest way to watch several news channels at once?
Browser windows, ViewGrid and the iPad's own windows are free, with the limits above. Skywall is a one-time purchase, and YouTube TV is a monthly subscription.
Can I watch CNN and Fox News side by side?
Their TV channels stream on US pay-TV services such as YouTube TV, not as free official streams on YouTube. YouTube TV's multiview can show them together in the United States.
Which ways work on a TV?
YouTube TV and the Apple TV app run on TV devices. Skywall moves its wall to a TV by cable or AirPlay, and a computer can show browser windows on a TV through a cable.