CNN+ Lasted Less Than a Month: Will New Streaming Service CNN All Access Repeat the Same Fate?

CNN+ launched in 2022 with original shows hosted by well-known CNN figures, but it was quickly discontinued after only a month. Now, CNN is launching another streaming service, CNN All Access, on October 28th, according to Deadline.

CNN is launching a new streaming plan called All Access on October 28th. It costs $6.99 per month, or you can get the first year of an annual plan for a discounted price of $41.99.

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) October 16, 2025

CNN is launching a streaming service that will offer both live news coverage and on-demand programs. However, some people are wondering if this new service will face the same challenges as other streaming news platforms in the past.

Why CNN Is Trying Again

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, WarnerMedia invested $300 million in the streaming service CNN+, with plans for significant further investment. However, the service was shut down after just one month. Incoming CNN CEO Chris Licht explained in a statement that the decision wasn’t about the quality of the content, praising the hard work and creativity of the team, but rather a move to offer viewers a more straightforward streaming experience.

CNN+ was a streaming service that quickly failed, highlighting just how fierce the competition is in the world of digital media.

Instead of launching a brand new service, CNN is adding a new streaming option, called CNN All Access, to its current offerings. This move, coming so quickly after the unsuccessful launch of CNN+, highlights just how important streaming is to CNN’s long-term plans.

According to a press release on October 16th, Alex MacCallum, a CNN executive, stated that this change is a crucial part of CNN’s development, allowing them to deliver the full CNN experience in a way that matches how people consume news now.

People are increasingly moving away from traditional cable TV and choosing streaming services like Netflix, Paramount+, and HBO Max for their news, sports, and entertainment. This shift is particularly concerning for CNN, which once led the cable news industry. In fact, YouTube TV is predicted to become the largest provider of multichannel video in the U.S. by 2026, surpassing Comcast.

With how things are going, CNN likely needs to try launching a streaming service again, even though it’s a risk. The key now is to learn from their previous attempt and avoid repeating those errors.

Second Chances

CNN+ was a streaming service with content you could only find within the app. The new service, CNN All Access, lets subscribers watch live news and choose from a variety of CNN documentaries, series, and films. While a lot of this content, including the live news, is currently available on HBO Max, it will move exclusively to CNN All Access in November.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new service costs more than CNN+ did (which was $5.99 a month, with an initial discount), but it also offers a lot more digital content, like interactive features and articles.

It’s unclear whether people will continue to pay for news when so much entertainment is readily available. With news constantly updated and free on platforms like X, can established networks such as CNN change and thrive in the digital world?

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2025-10-21 20:57