After first confirming the news of a new streaming offering, new details have been released about CNN+. The Los Angeles Times reports the platform is set to launch the last week of March with an introductory subscription rate of $2.99/month that early customers can lock in for life. After the four-week promotional price, the service will cost $5.99/month or $59.99/year for new signups. CNN+ will also be available as part of a bundle with HBO Max in the future.
“We’re thrilled to offer CNN+’s world class journalism, premium storytelling and Interview Club platform at this attractive price,” said Andrew Morse, CNN EVP, Chief Digital Officer and Head of CNN+. “Nothing like CNN+ exists. There is no news and non-fiction streaming subscription offering available today, and only CNN can create and deliver a global news product with this kind of value to consumers.”
One thing to note is that CNN+ won’t be a standalone app, but rather “the highly-anticipated new streaming addition to the CNN app.” CNN+ describes itself as “a whole new experience from the most trusted name in news. A fresh take on the day’s headlines. A chance to dive deeper and explore the stories of our world. And a way to interact and take part in the conversation.” The website still doesn’t reveal an exact launch date, but says viewers can “start streaming this spring.”
These new details come in the thick of a tumultuous few months for CNN after its President Jeff Zucker was forced to resign just last month. CNN’s parent company WarnerMedia, is also in the middle of closing on a huge merger with Discovery.
Despite all of the upheaval, things are forging ahead with CNN+, according to Andrew Morse.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with our talent and reassured them that we’re going forward,” he said. “It’s not what any of us expected, but things don’t always go to plan. My only message to them has been, ‘Keep going.’ CNN+ is so important to CNN that it’s bigger than any one of us.”
CNN+ was first announced in July 2021. CNN+ will feature live and on demand programming, distinct from CNN, CNN International, HLN and CNN en Español linear TV channels. The streaming service will have 8-12 hours of live, daily programming at launch. Viewers will recognize some CNN hosts, alongside new faces, all having real time conversations about current events.
CNN+ subscribers will experience:
- Live daily and weekly shows as they happen from familiar faces like Anderson Cooper and Poppy Harlow and fresh personalities like distinguished anchor Chris Wallace, basketball legend Rex Chapman and acclaimed radio host Audie Cornish.
- An impressive library of award-winning content from original series like Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy to CNN Films like Blackfish and RBG.
- Interview Club, an interactive interview experience where your questions are answered live by CNN reporters, industry leaders and expert guests.