What was CNN+?
NEWS organization CNN was another company that tried to cash in on the popularity of streaming services.
CNN launched its online app CNN+ in March – but just weeks later, the company announced it was shutting down the platform.
What is CNN+?
On July 19, 2021, it was announced that CNN+ would be CNN’s newest streaming service.
“CNN invented cable news in 1980, defined online news in 1995 and now is taking an important step in expanding what news can be by launching a direct-to-consumer streaming subscription service in 2022,” Jeff Zucker, the chairman of WarnerMedia News and Sports and president of CNN Worldwide, said in a statement.
Former chief digital officer Andrew Morse previously said: “this is the most important launch for CNN since Ted Turner launched the network in June of 1980.”
The company ensured that CNN+, CNN’s response to the growing television market, would not be “a news headline service.”
CNN+ did host a variety of different programming and the platform served both existing cable subscribers and those without cable.
“On top of a television offering that has never been stronger, which remains at the core of what we do today, we will offer consumers a streaming product that grows the reach and scope of the CNN brand in a way that no one else is doing. Nothing like this exists,” Zucker continued in his statement.
When did CNN+ launch?
On March 28, 2022, CNN launched its streaming platform.
The company previously stated that it hired 450 people, from producers to marketers, to help create the streaming platform.
“We are going to take a pretty big swing here, and the company’s behind it,” Morse said at the time.
Morse continued to add that the service will be, “very different from anything else that’s out in the marketplace.”
Prior to shutting down application operations, users were able to sign up for $5.99.
Why did CNN+ shut down?
On April 21, 2022, news of CNN closing its streaming platform operations was disclosed to CNN+ subscribers.
Former CNN CEO Chris Licht released a .
He said: “This is not a decision about quality; we appreciate all of the work, ambition and creativity that went into building CNN+, an organization with terrific talent and compelling programming.”
“But our customers and CNN will be best served with a simpler streaming choice.”
As of April 28, 2022, CNN+ was no longer available to viewers.
The app was originally slated to be shut down on April 30, two days later, but it was announced by CNN on April 27 that it would be discontinued sooner than expected.
“After April 28, 2022, the CNN+ daily and weekly shows, Interview Club, and the on-demand library of CNN Original Series and Films will no longer be available,” a statement regarding the shutdown revealed.