CNN+
CNN+ was a short-lived subscription streaming service and online news channel owned by the CNN division of WarnerMedia News & Sports. It was announced on July 19, 2021 and launched on March 29, 2022. Shortly after its launch, CNN+ closed on April 28, 2022. It was designed as an offshoot of the CNN television channel, carrying a daily lineup of live news programming, as well as original series and documentaries drawn from the channel's library, and an "interactive community".
CNN+ logo | |
Screenshot of the CNN+ website | |
Type of site | OTT video streaming platform |
---|---|
Available in | English |
Founded | March 29, 2022 |
Dissolved | April 28, 2022 |
Successor(s) | CNN Max Discovery+ |
Headquarters | US |
Area served | United States |
Owner | Warner Bros. Discovery |
Parent | CNN Worldwide |
URL | plus |
Current status | Discontinued |
Most of its programming was hosted by existing CNN personalities, while CNN also notably hired Fox News journalist Chris Wallace to host an interview program for the service.
The launch of CNN+ came amid the merger of WarnerMedia with Discovery Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which was completed in early April. On its launch, CNN+ received mixed reviews, while it was reported that fewer than 10,000 people were using CNN+ on a daily basis. On April 21, 2022, new CNN head Chris Licht and WBD's head of streaming J.B. Perrette announced that CNN+ would be discontinued effective April 28, 2022 (only 30 days after its original launch), citing the service as being incompatible with the company's goal of having one streaming service to encompass all WBD properties.
Selected CNN+ original programs were picked up by HBO Max and the main CNN network. After having been removed from HBO Max ahead of the launch of CNN+, CNN's library of factual programs were moved to Discovery+ later that year. After the relaunch of HBO Max as Max in 2023, CNN announced that it would attempt another streaming news service—CNN Max—which had launched on Max in late-September 2023.