CNN has confirmed a CNN+ subscription streaming service will launch in the first quarter of 2022. The new service is not expected to be a direct replacement for the existing CNN channels, but one that will live alongside, and one that’s been designed to expand the service’s reach by catering to those without a live TV subscription.
CNN is only one of the brands owned by AT&T ‘s WarnerMedia. Over the past year, AT&T and WarnerMedia have looked to increase their presence within the streaming market. This has most notably been seen with the launch of HBO Max, a standalone subscription service that offers access to everything HBO has to offer and more. The approach to CNN+, however, is going to be a little different.
CNN announced that the new CNN+ subscription service will launch in Q1 of next year and will provide a mixture of live and pre-recorded programming. For example, the service will offer 8-12 hours of live programming each day at launch, hosted by a mixture of existing CNN personalities and “new faces.” The live element will be complemented with a selection of non-fiction programming, including access to past seasons of CNN originals as well as new original programming. The announcement also hinted at a community aspect of the service that will allow viewers to connect in real time with the on-screen talent.
In addition to not providing an exact launch date, CNN also did not provide any details on how much a CNN+ subscription will cost. However, a dedicated CNN+ website is already live where interested users can sign up to stay updated on the service in the build up to the early 2022 launch.
One CNN app to cater to different users
As part of the announcement, CNN confirmed that it will utilize a single app for both experiences. Essentially, those with a live TV subscription will still be able to log in using TV Everywhere support and access the linear channels. At the same time, CNN+ subscribers will be able to log in with their standalone subscription to watch. As CNN+ is not designed to be a replacement for the linear experience, those with a live TV plan will also be able to add CNN+ to gain access to all of the content CNN has to offer.
CNN has confirmed that more information on the new originals and programming will be released later in 2021 and closer to the early 2022 launch. At which point, the cost of a CNN+ standalone subscription might also become clearer.
Source: CNN+
Leave a Reply