In preparation for launch of WarnerMedia’s upcoming streaming service, CNN+, has been testing the price of the streaming service with users. While formally announced in July, the company had not revealed what the price of the service would be when it launches in Q1 2022.
The company had been running tests on the price of the service over the last week on CNN.com. They had been testing price points from $1.99 to $9.99 a month. A company spokesperson said that a price point has not yet been determined.
In comparison, Fox News’ Fox Nation streaming service costs $5.99 a month. Fox also offers an annual plan for $64.99 ($5.42 / mo.) and two-year plan for $99.00 ($4.13 / mo.)
While the service won’t include a live feed to CNN, it will include daily live shows, original series, and access to CNN library of series and films. One feature that will be included with the service will be what is described as a community that will let subscribers connect with anchors and experts in real-time conversations.
In July, WarnerMedia announced the streaming service, which will sit in tandem with the existing linear CNN and provide between eight and 12 hours of live programming daily.
“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,” said Jeff Zucker, Chairman of WarnerMedia News and Sports and President of CNN Worldwide.
“As the most trusted and recognized name in news, CNN has unrivaled global reach, world class talent and a deep existing library of content including award winning series and films. 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.”
In talking about the announcement in July, CNN chief digital officer Andrew Morse said, “this is the most important launch for CNN since Ted Turner launched the network in June of 1980.”
The streaming news space is not a lonely road. Fox News, notably, produces its Fox Nation service, which, at first glance, appears to be one of the closest competitors to the upcoming CNN product.
In addition, Peacock’s streaming news channel The Choice was renamed The Choice from MSNBC last week to reflect an increased presence of content from the MSNBC linear channel. This is in addition to two other streaming news channels on Peacock — NBC News Now and Today All Day — both of which produce ongoing 24/7 news content from NBC News. Peacock also streams news from its UK-based corporate sibling Sky News.
ABC News Live streams ongoing live content from ABC News, and is streamed through its own app. CBSN is a separate service from CBS News. In addition to streaming news through Paramount+, they stream national news through their own app as well as local news from 11 local news sites.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said that the price of the service would be $4.99 a month. While multiple users have received this price during the test, the company says that they had been testing multiple price points with users over the last week. We regret the error.