CNN will launch a new CNN Weather app this year, according to a report from Axios. The new app will fall in line with CNN’s strategy of developing more digital subscriptions for a full portfolio of “lifestyle products.”
The report from Axois says that CNN’s Executive Vice President of digital products and services, Alex MacCallum, told employees that the mobile-first app will have expert commentary from the CNN team, local forecasts, and coverage of national weather events.
MacCallum told Axois “As we build out a subscription portfolio and offering for our users, we are looking to launch a series of lifestyle-oriented products that become essential to people’s everyday lives. Weather is a natural fit for our audience and for the CNN portfolio.”
The renewed interest in a subscription product portfolio comes from new leadership, including Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson who told his staff in January that “technology and audiences are on the move again.” At that time, 100 days into his new role, Thompson talked about finding new ways to reach audiences and diversifying the business model.
In addition to the upcoming standalone weather app, CNN will be launching a new streaming service with live news this fall. The service will be part of CNN’s All Access tier, which also includes CNN.com content behind a paywall.