The 2023 State of the Union address takes place on Tuesday, February 7th at 9 PM Eastern. President Biden will deliver remarks on the current state of the country and his policy priorities.
With extensive coverage across major TV networks, there are many options to live stream the 2023 State of the Union speech on your preferred devices. From Fire TV and Roku to phones, tablets and computers, you‘ll be able to watch the address and Republican response no matter how you stream.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain multiple methods for accessing the live State of the Union address on various streaming platforms and devices.
When and Where to Watch the 2023 State of the Union
Before jumping into how to stream the speech online, let‘s cover the key details:
- Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023
- Time: 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM Eastern
- Location: U.S. Capitol Building, Washington D.C.
- Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC
- Streaming: YouTube, network apps, Pluto TV, Amazon News, Roku Channel, and more
The address traditionally takes place in the chamber of the House of Representatives. All major broadcast and cable news networks will provide live coverage of both the Democratic address and Republican response.
Overview of Ways to Live Stream the 2023 State of the Union Address
With streaming‘s growing popularity, especially among younger audiences, viewership patterns for this political event are shifting.
According to Variety, streaming made up 29% of viewership for the 2022 State of the Union. That‘s up from just 7% in 2019, showing the rapid growth.
Here are the primary online streaming options available to watch the 2023 State of the Union:
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YouTube – Stream through the official White House channel.
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Network apps – Access via apps like CBS News, NBC News, ABC News.
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Network websites – View on CBS.com, ABC.com, etc.
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Pluto TV – Free streaming news and entertainment.
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Amazon News app – Available on Fire TV devices.
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The Roku Channel – Installable app on Firestick and Roku.
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Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV – Live streaming cable alternatives.
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Twitch – Popular live streaming platform.
Below I‘ll provide step-by-step instructions to access the State of the Union address through these top streaming options.
How to Watch the 2023 State of the Union on YouTube
One simple way to stream the State of the Union is directly through YouTube. The White House will host a live stream on their official YouTube channel.
To watch on YouTube:
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On your streaming or mobile device, open the YouTube app. Or visit youtube.com in a browser.
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Search for "White House". Select the official White House channel.
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The live stream will appear around 9 PM ET on February 7th. Tap to watch the feed.
The official White House YouTube channel live streamed the previous State of the Union addresses. This direct streaming option works great across devices.
YouTube access options:
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Fire TV – Open Silk browser or YouTube app
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Roku – Access YouTube app or channel
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Android/iPhone – Use YouTube app
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PC/Mac – Visit youtube.com in Chrome, Firefox etc.
YouTube delivers an easy way to stream the State of the Union no matter what device you own. Minimal steps are required to access this free live stream.
How to Watch the 2023 State of the Union on Pluto TV
Pluto TV is a popular free streaming service featuring live news, sports, movies and more. It‘s an easy way to stream the State of the Union address in 2023.
Pluto TV offers several news channels that should cover the speech, such as:
- CBS News
- MSNBC
- CNN
- Pluto TV News
- NBC News Now
To watch the State of the Union speech on Pluto TV:
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Download the Pluto TV app on your streaming device or mobile app store.
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Open Pluto TV and select News from the categories.
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Pick a news channel of your choice, preferably by 8:30 PM ET.
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Tune in around 9 PM to view coverage of the address.
With free access and a focus on live TV, Pluto TV presents a great streaming option for the 2023 State of the Union.
How to Use Amazon News to Stream State of the Union on Fire TV
Owners of Fire TV streaming devices can take advantage of the built-in Amazon News app.
Along with local news and weather, Amazon News offers live streams from top national outlets, such as:
- ABC News Live
- CBS News
- Newsmax
- USA Today
- Bloomberg Quicktake
According to eMarketer, Fire TV is installed on over 30% of smart TVs in the U.S.
To watch the 2023 State of the Union on Amazon News:
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From your Firestick or Fire TV home screen, select the Amazon News app.
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Within the app, browse or search for live news streams.
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Select a news stream of your choice by around 8:45 PM Eastern.
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Watch live coverage of the speech starting at 9 PM.
The Amazon News app provides easy access to live newscasts on Fire TV, simplifying streaming the State of the Union.
How to Watch the 2023 State of the Union on The Roku Channel
Along with Roku devices, The Roku Channel app can be installed on Amazon Fire TV.
The Roku Channel offers various live and on-demand news content to stream from providers such as:
- ABC News Live
- NBC News Now
- Cinedigm News Network
- Newsy
On Roku devices, The Roku Channel app comes pre-installed. Here‘s how to stream through it:
On Roku:
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Select The Roku Channel app from your home screen.
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Choose Live TV > News. Pick a channel airing coverage.
On Fire TV:
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Download The Roku Channel app from the Amazon Appstore.
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Open the app and navigate to live news. Select a channel.
The Roku Channel presents a free option to stream the State of the Union on Roku and Fire TV.
Additional Ways to Stream the 2023 State of the Union Address
Along with the platforms above, you can also watch the 2023 State of the Union through:
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Live TV streaming services – Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, Sling TV
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Network websites – CBS.com, ABC.com, etc.
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Network apps – CBS News, ABC News, etc.
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OTA antenna – Connect an over-the-air antenna to watch local broadcasts.
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News websites – Try CBSNews.com, CNN.com, etc.
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Twitch – Check news channels around showtime.
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C-SPAN – May air official White House feed.
I recommend tuning in a few minutes early to get settled before the address starts at 9 PM Eastern.
Pros and Cons of Top State of the Union Streaming Options
Below I‘ll compare the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular ways to stream the State of the Union online:
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Free, easy to access, mobile friendly | May buffer or lag due to high demand |
| Pluto TV | Multiple news channels, free | Need to install app first |
| Amazon News | Built into Fire TV, multi-channel | Fire TV-exclusive, potential bugs |
| Roku Channel | Centralized live TV, free | Need app/channel access |
| Network Apps | Official streams from ABC, NBC, etc | Multiple apps required |
| Antenna | Free local broadcasts | Need hardware, setup required |
As you can see, each method has certain benefits and downsides. I recommend choosing two or more options to have backups handy.
Tips for Streaming the 2023 State of the Union
When streaming a high-profile live event online, there are a few best practices to ensure the best viewing experience:
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Have a backup plan – Be ready with 2+ streaming options in case of issues.
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Test your internet speed – Confirm you have at least 25 Mbps for smooth HD streaming.
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Update your apps – Check for app updates to avoid technical problems.
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Tune in a few minutes early – Get set up ahead of the 9 PM start time.
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Consider using a VPN – A VPN provides privacy, security and potentially faster speeds.
Following these tips will help avoid frustrating technical difficulties. Refer to my troubleshooting guide if you run into playback issues.
With the wide range of streaming platforms available today, watching the 2023 State of the Union online is straightforward. Simply pick your preferred device and access method from the various options covered in this guide.
