CNN Unveils ‘All Access’ Streaming Subscription Starting October 28
CNN, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, announced the launch of its new streaming subscription service, “All Access,” set to debut in the U.S. market on October 28, 2025. The service will be available at $6.99 per month or $69.99 annually, positioning CNN to compete more aggressively in the evolving digital news and streaming landscape. To incentivize early adoption, CNN is offering a promotional annual subscription price of $41.99 for customers who sign up before January 5, 2026. This pricing strategy aims to build a solid subscriber base in the critical early months.Comprehensive News Hub with Live and On-Demand Content
The “All Access” subscription integrates live and on-demand video programming from both U.S. and international sources, alongside full access to CNN.com articles and exclusive subscriber-only content across multiple platforms. This approach reflects CNN’s intent to provide a holistic news consumption experience tailored to modern audience preferences.“No one covers the world like CNN,” stated Alex MacCallum, Executive Vice President of Digital Products and Services at CNN Worldwide. “This is an essential step in CNN’s evolution, providing a comprehensive experience that meets how audiences consume news today.”
From Basic Tier to All Access: CNN’s Subscription Evolution
The new “All Access” plan expands upon CNN’s existing digital subscription, now rebranded as the Basic tier. Launched in 2024, the Basic subscription offers unlimited article access and select features but notably excludes video content. The introduction of All Access marks CNN’s renewed commitment to offering a full-service digital news product. CNN’s previous attempt at a streaming subscription, CNN+, was discontinued just one month after its March 2022 launch. The service struggled with low subscriber numbers and internal challenges, compounded by the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger in April 2022.Warner Bros. Discovery’s Strategic Restructuring and Market Implications
Warner Bros. Discovery is undergoing significant corporate changes. In June 2025, the company announced plans to split into two publicly traded entities by 2026: one focusing on streaming and studios, including HBO Max and movie properties, and another global networks company encompassing CNN and other businesses. Simultaneously, industry speculation has surfaced regarding a potential takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance, particularly in light of the impending corporate spin-off.FinOracleAI — Market View
CNN’s launch of the “All Access” subscription reflects a strategic pivot to capture a broader digital audience through a bundled offering of live video, on-demand content, and exclusive journalism. This move is critical as traditional news outlets face intensified competition from streaming platforms and shifting consumer habits.- Opportunities: Enhanced subscriber engagement by consolidating video and written content; potential to leverage CNN’s global news reputation to attract international subscribers; pricing incentives could drive early adoption and reduce churn.
- Risks: Market saturation in streaming services may limit subscriber growth; legacy challenges from CNN+ could impact consumer confidence; Warner Bros. Discovery’s corporate restructuring may create operational uncertainties.
