NEW YORK — Cable News Network, or CNN, will take its All Access subscription outside the United States for the first time, launching the streaming service in the United Kingdom and Canada on October 20.
The offering will combine selected live CNN channels, on-demand programming, CNN Original Series and films, and unlimited access to the network’s text, audio and video journalism. CNN says it will be available through the web and selected mobile and connected-television apps.
Standard pricing will be £4.99 a month or £49.99 annually in the United Kingdom and C$7.99 a month or C$79.99 annually in Canada. First-year introductory prices will be £37.99 and C$59.99, respectively. Eligible Canadian pay-television customers will receive access without an additional charge, while existing CNN Live subscribers in the United Kingdom will be upgraded.
The international launch comes one week after Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing CNN under the same corporate ownership as CBS, Paramount+, HBO Max and Pluto TV. CNN says additional international markets are planned during the coming year but has not named them.
The service represents more than a subscription play. Digiday reports that CNN expects All Access to support broader advertising campaigns through targeted display and video advertising, dynamically inserted advertising in livestreams and program sponsorships. The network did not disclose United States subscriber or revenue totals, limiting independent assessment of the model’s performance.
Sources: CNN’s October 13 announcement; Digiday’s independent report.
Radio News Now question: Will CNN disclose subscriber retention, advertising load and revenue results as it asks international audiences to pay for a service that also carries advertising?