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CNN+

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the former Spanish TV network, seeCNN+ (TV network).
For CNN's streaming hub on Max, seeCNN Max.

CNN+
CNN+ logo
Screenshot of the CNN+ website
Type of site
OTT video streaming platform
Available inEnglish
FoundedMarch 29, 2022(2022-03-29)
DissolvedApril 28, 2022(2022-04-28)
(30 days)
Successor(s)CNN Max
Discovery+
Headquarters
US
Area servedUnited States
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery
ParentCNN Worldwide
URLplus.cnn
Current statusDiscontinued

CNN+was a subscriptionstreaming serviceand onlinenews channelowned by theCNNdivision ofWarnerMedia 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".

Most of its programming was hosted by existing CNN personalities, while CNN also notably hiredFox NewsjournalistChris Wallaceto host an interview program for the service.

The launch of CNN+ came amid the merger of WarnerMedia withDiscovery Inc.to formWarner 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 headChris Lichtand 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 toDiscovery+later that year. After the relaunch of HBO Max asMaxin 2023, CNN announced that it would attempt another streaming news service—CNN Max—which had launched on Max in late-September 2023.

History and development

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On July 19, 2021, CNN announced that they would offer a new round-the-clock streaming service, due to launch in the first quarter of 2022. The plan was for the service to provide eight to 12 hours of live programming a day, complemented by original series created just for the service and others culled from the network's archives, as well as an "interactive community" that would allow viewers to interact with on-air talent.[1]The service was described by CNN headJeff Zuckeras "the evolution of video news and the start of a new era for the company", while the service's chiefAndrew Morsedescribed it as the "most important launch" for CNN since its founding in 1980.[1]

FormerNBC NewscorrespondentKasie Huntwas one of the first personalities confirmed to join the service;The Source with Kasie Huntwas announced as the title of her news show.[2]On December 12, 2021, the network announced thatScott Galloway,aNew York Universityprofessor, joined CNN+ as a contributor to its original live programming.[3]On the same day,Chris Wallaceannounced that he would join CNN+ after spending 18 years atFox News,as well as serving as the host ofFox News Sunday.[4][5]

Throughout the month of January 2022, several CNN cable news anchors, includingKate Bolduan,Wolf Blitzer,Jake Tapper,andFareed Zakaria,and formerNPRhostAudie Cornishhad joined CNN+ to host original programming shows on the streaming service.[6][7][8][9][10][5]That same month, CNN+ announced additional talent hires, includingRex ChapmanandAlison Roman,had joined the streaming service.[11][12]

Operations

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The surprise departure ofJeff Zuckerin February 2022 had disrupted the long-term vision for CNN+ before it launched.David Zaslav,the CEO ofDiscovery, Inc.,said, "I haven't gotten a business review on what CNN+ is going to be and how it's going to be offered."[13]Zaslav later became CEO of the mergedWarner Bros. Discovery;the merger closed shortly after CNN+'s launch date.[14][15]

CNN+ launched on March 29, 2022.[16][17][18]Subscribers who joined in the first month paid $2.99 per month, about a 50% discount from the regular price, and their promotional rate was to have remained valid for the duration of their subscription.[19]More than 100,000 subscribers joined in its first week.[20]The service became available onRokudevices on April 11.[21]

Axiosreported CNN spent $300 million to launch the streaming service.[22]

Reception

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CNN+ launched to mixed reviews and low subscriber numbers.Vulture,in its generally unfavorable review, wrote that "While it's far too early to reach any definitive judgments, CNN+ in its formative phase feels somewhat like theQuibiof streaming news: Lots of money has been spent, big stars are onboard, but it's hard to figure out just what the service is supposed to be and why a large number of people will want to pay for it. "The reviewer noted disapprovingly that CNN+, despite its standalone subscription fee, does not include any CNN content either live or on demand.[23]Newsday's media critic Verne Gay gave CNN+ a two-star review (out of four), praising many of its shows and the lack of commercial interruption while wondering about the mythical "unicorn viewer who has no time to eat or sleep" with the time and attention to watch its content.[24]PC Magazinegave CNN+ a 4.0 out of 5 rating, praising its programming and its lack of ads while criticizing its lack of live CNN programming (without a paid cable subscription) and its lack of mobile content downloads.[25]National Reviewwas sharply negative about CNN+ before its launch, considering it a dumping ground for content that "wasn't good enough to run on CNN."[26]

CNN executives originally expected to have 2 million subscribers in CNN+'s first year and 15–18 million after four years. CNN originally estimated that it would invest $1 billion in CNN+ over its first four years, but after a slow start,Axiosreported that "hundreds of millions of dollars are expected to be cut" from that investment.[27]

On April 12, two weeks after its launch,CNBCreported that fewer than 10,000 people were using CNN+ on a daily basis. With the merger of Warner Bros. Discovery having completed four days earlier, CNBC suggested that CNN+ programming may become available as part of a larger bundled offering withHBO MaxandDiscovery+,each of which have millions of subscribers.[28]Much of the CNN original programming on HBO Max had been removed in advance of the CNN+ launch.[29]

As of April 19, CNN+ had roughly 150,000 subscribers.[30]

Shutdown

[edit]

On April 21, 2022, CNN announced that CNN+ would cease operations on April 30. Andrew Morse, who led CNN's digital properties, would also be leaving the company. New CNN headChris Lichtand Discovery's head of streaming and interactive entertainment J.B. Perrette described the service as incompatible with the company's goal of forming a single streaming service to cover all its properties. It was expected that some of CNN+'s original programming would migrate to a combined streaming service housing Warner Bros. Discovery's content or the linear CNN cable television channel. Licht stated that the service's employees would "continue to be paid and receive benefits for the next 90 days to explore opportunities at CNN, CNN Digital, and elsewhere in the Warner Bros. Discovery family" and that departing CNN+ employees would receive at least six months ofseverancedepending on their length of service. All subscribers to CNN+ would receive a pro-rated refund.[31][14][15]On April 27, the shutdown was moved up to the next day, and the home page redirected to a help section about the service's whereabouts.[32]CNN+ was the shortest-lived service under the Warner Bros. Discovery/Turner Broadcastingumbrella, breaking the previous record set by theCable Music Channel,which lasted 35 days between October 26 and November 30, 1984.[33]

During the Warner Bros. Discovery upfronts, it was announced thatWho's Talking to Chris Wallace?and the docuseriesEva Longoria:Searching for Mexico,which were announced for the service in December 2021,[34]would both be picked up by the main CNN channel, with the former also premiering episodes on HBO Max.[35]On August 4, 2022, it was announced that a "hub" featuring CNN original series and documentaries would be added to Discovery+.[36]

In August 2023, CNN subsequently announced that it would launch a new streaming news channel onMaxknown as CNN Max on September 27, which will feature a mixture of original live news programming and simulcasts of CNN primetime programs.[37]

Original programming

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Live weekday schedule

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The network's daily programming included:

  • 5 Things with Kate Bolduan;adapted from CNN's podcast and newsletter of the same name, it highlighted the five key stories of the day.[38][39]
  • Go There;an anchorless newscast featuring live field reports by CNN correspondents, and viewer questions.[40][41]
  • Big Picture with Sara Sidner;a discussion program focusing on "the most important and interesting story of the day".[38]
  • Reliable SourcesDaily;a spin-off of CNN's Sunday morning program, hosted by chief media correspondentBrian Stelter.[38]
  • The Source with Kasie Hunt;a political analysis program.[38]
  • The Global Brief with Bianca Nobilo(simulcast withCNN International;the only such program simulcast with a linear CNN network).[38]
  • Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?;An interview program hosted by former Fox News journalist Chris Wallace, airing Mondays to Thursdays.[38]
  • The Newscast with Wolf Blitzer;a newscast billed as a modernized equivalent to a traditional evening newscast, featuring "original reporting from around the world, investigations and consumer focused stories"[38]

Weekly schedule

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  • Boss Files with Poppy Harlow(Mondays)
  • Anderson Cooper Full Circle(Tuesdays and Saturdays)
  • No Mercy, No Malice with Scott Galloway(Tuesdays)
  • Parental Guidance with Anderson Cooper(Wednesdays)
  • Jake Tapper's Book Club(Sundays)
  • Rex Chapman(Mondays)
  • The Don Lemon Show(Fridays)

Daily schedule

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  • CNN+ Special Report(breaking news coverage)
  • Interview Club(CNN+ subscribers ask questions to experts in live interviews)

CNN+ Original Series

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CNN+ FlashDocs

[edit]

New documentary unit exploring timely and topical pop culture stories.

  • Chicago vs. Jussie Smollett

References

[edit]
  1. ^abStelter, Brian (July 19, 2021)."CNN announces CNN+, 'most important launch for network since Ted Turner'".CNN.Archivedfrom the original on December 13, 2021.RetrievedDecember 12,2021.
  2. ^Steinberg, Brian (July 16, 2021)."CNN Snares Kasie Hunt From NBC in Big Bet on Streaming (Exclusive)".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on December 13, 2021.RetrievedDecember 12,2021.
  3. ^Johnson, Ted (September 28, 2021)."CNN Taps Scott Galloway As Host For New Streaming Service".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on December 13, 2021.RetrievedDecember 12,2021.
  4. ^Bursztynsky, Jessica (December 12, 2021)."Fox anchor Chris Wallace is leaving network for CNN+ after 18 years".CNBC.Archivedfrom the original on December 14, 2021.RetrievedDecember 12,2021.
  5. ^abWinslow, George (February 23, 2022)."CNN+ Unveils Its Full Programming Slate".TVTechnology.Archivedfrom the original on February 25, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 25,2022.
  6. ^Steinberg, Brian (January 12, 2022)."Kate Bolduan, Sara Sidner to Lead New Weekday Shows for CNN Plus".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on February 2, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 2,2022.
  7. ^"Wolf Blitzer to Host Evening News Show on CNN+"(Press release). CNN Pressroom. January 19, 2022. Archived fromthe originalon February 2, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 2,2022.
  8. ^"Jake Tapper to Host New Show on CNN+"(Press release). CNN Pressroom. January 24, 2022. Archived fromthe originalon January 29, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 28,2022.
  9. ^ab"Fareed Zakaria to Host New Original Series On CNN+"(Press release). CNN Pressroom. January 20, 2022. Archived fromthe originalon February 2, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 2,2022.
  10. ^Koblin, John (January 10, 2022)."Audie Cornish, the former NPR host, heads to CNN+".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 11,2022.
  11. ^Evans, Greg (January 18, 2022)."Rex Chapman To Join CNN+ As Host; Former NBA Player, Social Media Star Is Latest Hire For Streaming Service".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on January 19, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 18,2022.
  12. ^"Alison Roman Comes to CNN+"(Press release). CNN Pressroom. January 6, 2022. Archived fromthe originalon February 3, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 2,2022.
  13. ^Sherman, Alex (February 3, 2022)."Zucker leaving CNN may change the long-term plans for CNN+, sources say".CNBC.Archivedfrom the original on April 12, 2022.RetrievedApril 12,2022.
  14. ^abSherman, Alex (April 21, 2022)."CNN+ is shutting down, effective April 30, sources say".CNBC.Archivedfrom the original on May 6, 2022.RetrievedApril 21,2022.
  15. ^abGrynbaum, Michael; Koblin, John; Mullin, Benjamin (April 21, 2022)."CNN+ Streaming Service Is Set to Shut Down".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Archivedfrom the original on April 21, 2022.RetrievedApril 21,2022.
  16. ^"CNN+ to Launch March 29, 2022".CNN Pressroom.March 11, 2022. Archived fromthe originalon March 13, 2022.RetrievedMarch 16,2022.
  17. ^Fowler, Bree; Solsman, Joan E. (March 11, 2022)."CNN Plus Streaming Service to Launch on March 29".CNET.Archivedfrom the original on March 16, 2022.RetrievedMarch 16,2022.
  18. ^Weprin, Alex (March 11, 2022)."CNN+ Sets March 29 Launch Date".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on March 12, 2022.RetrievedMarch 16,2022.
  19. ^Chan, J. Clara (March 3, 2022)."CNN+ to Cost $2.99 a Month at Launch".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on April 18, 2022.RetrievedApril 18,2022.
  20. ^"Warner Bros. Discovery is shutting down CNN+".Bloomberg.April 21, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on April 21, 2022.RetrievedApril 21,2022.
  21. ^Hayes, Dade (April 11, 2022)."Roku Adds CNN+ Two Weeks After Streaming Service's Launch, Filling Distribution Gap".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2022.RetrievedApril 16,2022.
  22. ^Fischer, Sara (April 19, 2022)."Scoop: CNN+ looks doomed".Axios.Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2023.RetrievedApril 19,2022.
  23. ^Adalian, Josef (March 31, 2022)."CNN+ Has Quibi Vibes".Vulture.Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2022.RetrievedApril 16,2022.
  24. ^Gay, Verne (April 1, 2022)."CNN+: Some good shows, but new streamer faces lots of challenges".Newsday.Archivedfrom the original on April 15, 2022.RetrievedApril 16,2022.
  25. ^Minor, Jordan (April 11, 2022)."CNN+ Review".PCMAG.Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2022.RetrievedApril 16,2022.
  26. ^Smith, Kyle (March 15, 2022)."Who's Stoked for CNN+?".National Review.Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2022.RetrievedApril 16,2022.
  27. ^Fischer, Sara (April 12, 2022)."Big cuts coming for CNN+ after slow start".Axios.Archivedfrom the original on April 15, 2022.RetrievedApril 16,2022.
  28. ^Sherman, Alex (April 12, 2022)."CNN+ struggles to lure viewers in its early days, drawing fewer than 10,000 daily users".CNBC.Archivedfrom the original on April 12, 2022.RetrievedApril 12,2022.
  29. ^Smith, Gerry (December 16, 2021)."CNN to Move Hit Shows to Its New App in Bet on Star Power".Bloomberg.Archivedfrom the original on April 12, 2022.RetrievedApril 12,2022.
  30. ^Fischer, Sara (April 19, 2022)."Scoop: CNN+ looks doomed".Axios.Archivedfrom the original on April 22, 2022.RetrievedApril 22,2022.
  31. ^Oliver Darcy; Brian Stetler (April 21, 2022)."CNN+ will shut down at the end of April".CNN.Archivedfrom the original on April 21, 2022.RetrievedApril 21,2022.
  32. ^Johnson, Ted (April 27, 2022)."CNN+ To Cease On Thursday, Two Days Earlier Than Announced".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on April 27, 2022.RetrievedApril 27,2022.
  33. ^"8 Very Short-Lived TV Channels".Mental Floss.October 28, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on May 14, 2022.RetrievedAugust 21,2020.
  34. ^Steinberg, Brian (December 15, 2021)."Eva Longoria Plans 'Searching for Mexico' for CNN Plus".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on February 2, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 2,2022.
  35. ^Hayes, Dade (May 18, 2022)."Chris Wallace Talk Show Headed To HBO Max And CNN Sunday Night Slot; New CNN Boss Chris Licht Vows To" Challenge "Cable News Norms, Disrupt Mornings – Upfronts".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on May 18, 2022.RetrievedMay 18,2022.
  36. ^Weprin, Alex (August 4, 2022)."Magnolia Network Shows Go to HBO Max and CNN Originals Go to Discovery+ as Warner Bros. Discovery Keeps Streaming Services Separate, For Now".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on August 4, 2022.RetrievedAugust 4,2022.
  37. ^Steinberg, Brian (August 24, 2023)."Live-Streamed CNN Channel With New Shows Set to Debut on Max".Variety.RetrievedSeptember 6,2023.
  38. ^abcdefgWinslow, George (February 23, 2022)."CNN+ Unveils Its Full Programming Slate".TVTechnology.Archivedfrom the original on February 25, 2022.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  39. ^"'5 Things' brings a fast paced first look at the news to CNN+ ".NewscastStudio.March 29, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on July 1, 2022.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  40. ^"After Zucker exit, CNN streams forward with a new service. What happens now?".Los Angeles Times.March 2, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on July 1, 2022.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  41. ^"'Go There' switches up its format a bit for CNN+ debut ".NewscastStudio.April 5, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on July 1, 2022.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
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