Edgar Cervantes/Android Authority
content
As broadcast and cable television gradually lose their audiences for streaming services, we see more and more TV channels launching their own streaming components. The latest such announcement comes from WarnerMedia, which revealed its plans to launch CNN Plus in July 2021.
The service (sold as “CNN+”) aims to expand the coverage of the main CNN TV news network. However, this requires an additional fee. Below is all the information we have learned about the new service so far.
What is CNN Plus?
Edgar Cervantes/Android Authority
according to CNN’s own story, The service will provide people who have not subscribed to cable or satellite TV a way to access cable news network programs. Those who have already watched CNN via cable or satellite will also get more news reports via CNN Plus.
The service will have 8 to 12 hours of live programming every day.
The service will have 8 to 12 hours of live programming every day. It will also provide on-demand news specials, including some news unique to CNN Plus.
Finally, the service will have some interactive elements. People watching content on the service will interact directly with their news anchors and commentators. How this will work has not been revealed.
When will the service be launched?
Edgar Cervantes/Android Authority
CNN Plus is currently scheduled to launch sometime in the first quarter of 2022.
Where can CNN Plus be streamed?
Edgar Cervantes/Android Authority
Currently, this product is only available for the US market. However, WarnerMedia may expand its coverage to other countries/regions at some point in the future.
Which platforms and devices will support the service?
Edgar Cervantes/Android Authority
Currently, WarnerMedia has not confirmed any platforms that support CNN Plus.
How much does CNN Plus cost?
Edgar Cervantes/Android Authority
Currently, there is no news about how much the service will cost. There is also no news about whether monthly subscription and annual payment options are provided at the same time.
Will there be advertisements on the service?
WarnerMedia has confirmed that there will be no commercials or advertisements on CNN Plus.
Will there be a bundled transaction with HBO Max and/or Discovery Plus?
Edgar Cervantes/Android Authority
According to a type interview CNN chief digital officer Andrew Morse (Andrew Morse) said that there are no plans to bundle the service with HBO Max. However, the same article quoted an unnamed source as saying that once the merger plan of WarnerMedia and Discovery Channel is completed, the newly merged company may indeed be able to provide streaming media bundling deals with HBO Max, Discovery Plus and CNN Plus. Similar bundling with Disney’s Hulu, ESPN Plus and Disney Plus has been very successful.
Which anchors and reporters will we see on CNN Plus?
Edgar Cervantes/Android Authority
So far, WarnerMedia has not revealed who we will watch on the service. However, quoting Morse, subscribers can expect to see “some of CNN’s most outstanding talents, as well as several new faces” on CNN Plus. The company plans to hire only 450 employees for this service.
Will this be a copycat of CNN?
WarnerMedia claimed that CNN Plus will not become a headline news service like CNN. Instead, subscribers will receive stories about important topics that will be more in-depth than the short headline news snippets on CNN’s regular shows. Morse was also quoted as saying that CNN Plus will be “very different from anything else on the market.”
Alternatives
There are already many free online streaming news media from TV networks such as ABC and CBS, but only a few services offer paid subscriptions similar to the CNN Plus plan.
Fox Country
Fox Nation was launched by the Fox News Channel in 2018, providing real-time streaming news and talk shows, as well as original on-demand documentaries and special shows. It also offers a commercial-free version of Fox News’s main primetime opinion show the day after the new series airs on major cable channels. The registration fee is $5.99 per month, $64.99 for one year or $99.99 for two years. All active duty American soldiers and veterans can receive one year of service for free.
Peacock (NBC News/MSNBC)
UNCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service includes access to NBC news and MSNBC shows. This includes rebroadcasting of its main shows, as well as exclusive shows. Peacock is free, but you can pay $9.99 a month to get rid of its ads.