
CNN's website paywall is a relatively new development, introduced in 2021 as part of a broader effort to revamp their online content strategy.
The paywall is designed to limit free access to premium content, which includes in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and investigative reporting.
Subscribers can expect to pay a monthly fee of $5.99 for access to the full range of premium content, although discounts are available for students and military personnel.
This move is a significant shift for CNN, which has traditionally offered most of its content for free.
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CNN Implements Paywall
CNN has implemented a paywall on its website, CNN.com, to encourage users to subscribe to its online content. The paywall will prompt frequent visitors to subscribe after they've consumed a certain number of free articles.
The initial price for the subscription is $3.99 per month or $29.99 per year, with unlimited access to CNN.com's articles included. Subscribers will also receive benefits like exclusive election features, original documentaries, and a curated daily selection of CNN's most distinctive journalism.
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CNN's executive vice president of digital products and services, Alex MacCallum, announced the paywall in a memo to staff, stating that the vast majority of CNN.com's 150 million monthly users will continue to enjoy the same experience as they do today. However, users who consume a certain number of free articles will be prompted to subscribe.
The paywall will not include the CNN homepage, live blogs, breaking news live stories, vertical videos, stand-alone video pages, and interactive content. This is likely to ensure that users can still access essential news and information without having to subscribe.
CNN is expected to add more "need to know" news and analysis anchored in compelling formats, as well as more lifestyle-focused "want to know" content, to differentiate itself from other news subscriptions. This is part of the company's digital pivot, which also involves cutting jobs and investing in new products and businesses.
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Paywall Discussion
CNN's paywall is designed to prompt frequent visitors to subscribe, but it's not immediately clear how many articles users will need to click to hit the paywall.
The paywall will cost $3.99 per month or $29.99 per year, and subscribers will get unlimited access to CNN.com's articles, exclusive election features, original documentaries, and a curated daily selection of journalism.
Subscribers will also receive benefits like fewer digital ads and full app access.
CNN's subscription landing page says the organization offers a $3.99/month plan and a $29.99/year plan, and subscribers get unlimited article views, full app access, subscriber-only content, and fewer ads.
The paywall does not include the CNN homepage, live blogs, breaking news live stories, vertical videos, stand-alone video pages, and interactive content.
CNN is expected to add more "need to know" news and analysis anchored in compelling formats, as well as more lifestyle-focused "want to know" content.
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Weather App Update
The CNN Weather app will launch by the end of the year.
It will provide local weather forecasts and round-the-clock coverage of major regional and national weather events.
The app will be free at first, but will later become paywalled.
As CNN builds out its subscription portfolio, lifestyle-oriented products like the Weather app will become essential to people's everyday lives.
Weather is a natural fit for CNN's audience and portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read CNN online for free?
Yes, you can read a limited selection of CNN.com articles for free with a free account, which also includes access to newsletters and commenting features. However, unlimited article access requires a paid subscription.
How to get a CNN subscription for free?
Get free access to CNN through a free trial from DirecTV Stream, Hulu with Live TV, or YouTube TV, or stream for free on Pluto TV Live. Try these options for a limited time to catch your favorite CNN shows and news.
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