CNN+ Shuts Down Just Three Weeks After Launch

By Natalie Mojica

On April 21st, CNN announced that it will shut down its streaming service, CNN+, on April 30th, just a month after its launch. CNN+ customers “will receive prorated refunds of subscription fees.” 

CNN+ launched on March 28th at $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year, featuring popular talent like Fox News anchor Chris Wallace and original TV shows like “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.” Andrew Morse, the chief digital officer of CNN Worldwide and head of CNN+, described it as a service that would complement CNN. 

The decision to cancel the widely anticipated platform was made by new management at Warner Media, which recently merged with Discovery to create Warner Bros. Discovery. Since CNN+ was designed with the intent to provide competition to Warner Bros. Discovery, CEO David Zaslav aims to have CNN+ content streaming under the same service eventually. Most programming will cross over to CNN’s main network.  

“In a complex streaming market, consumers want simplicity and an all-in service which provides a better experience and more value than stand-alone offerings,” President and CEO of Discovery Streaming, Jean-Briac Perrette, commented. “We have very exciting opportunities ahead in the streaming space, and CNN, one of the world’s premier reputational assets, will play an important role there.” 

Employees were told the news earlier, and hundreds of staffers may now find themselves out of a job. While CNN CEO Chris Licht said all CNN+ employees will be paid and receive benefits for the next 90 days and could explore other options at CNN, CNN digital, and the Warner Bros. Discovery family, it remains a disappointment to people who worked so hard for the launch.  

One staffer at the town hall where they were given the news described the scene. 

“At first, people were really freaking out… and then, toward the end of the meeting, it just turned to sadness. Every team was just huddling with each other.” 

Content will be accessible to customers until the end of the month, and Morse has already announced that he will be departing after a transition period.