CNN + officially launches in early 2022

CNN is launching a streaming service, and of course it’s called CNN +.

While CNN has yet to set a specific launch date for its upcoming streaming service, the cable news giant has announced plans to launch CNN + during the first quarter of 2022. CNN is still trying to decide how much a CNN + subscription will cost. IIn an interview with Variety, Andrew Morse, chief digital officer of CNN and director of CNN +, said that at least initially there won’t be an ad-supported free tier, so it’s either full price or nothing.

Interestingly, while CNN + will naturally serve as a portal to regular CNN programming news and politics, streaming service is also expected to offer an “additive new experience that complements major CNN linear networks” focused on “quality non-fiction programming.”

CNN says CNN + subscribers can expect 8 to 12 hours of daily original live and interactive programming “distinct” from other members of the CNN family, with additional on-demand content available through existing shows such as Anthony Bourdain: Unknown Parties, United Shades of America, and That’s life with Lisa Ling. And going forward, CNN + says it will create new original movies and shows for its service, the firsts of which are expected to be revealed later this year.

Morse says CNN + launch is network’s biggest launch since CNN’s inception hit the airwaves in 1980. until the launch of CNN + in 2022, Morse says CNN is looking to hire 450 new employees over the next six to nine months.

When asked by Variety, Morse said there was no official plan to create a subscription package with CNN +, HBO Max, or other WarnerMedia services. However, some sources who spoke to Variety said there was a “high probability” that CNN + could be included in a package with HBO Max and Discovery + after the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery will be finalized next year.

The good news is that CNN will not be creating a separate app for CNN +, and instead, CNN + subscribers will simply log into the existing CNN app using their credentials in order to access again. to all Additional CNN + content.

But the glut of streaming services today means CNN + can struggle to carve out a niche, especially if there are few notable original shows.