CNN will launch a new “All Access” subscription tier on October 28 , expanding its direct-to-consumer strategy beyond its digital news paywall.
The new plan offers access to a selection of live U.S. and international CNN programming, more than 1,000 hours of CNN Original Series and Films, and next-day availability of CNN’s television content, all integrated with unlimited access to written articles on CNN.com.
Priced at $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year, subscribers who sign up for the annual plan by January 5, 2026 will receive a first-year promotional rate of $41.99. The All Access tier builds on CNN Basic, launched in 2024, which provides unlimited article access but no video content.
CNN confirmed that existing pay-TV subscribers can access the streaming video content at no additional cost, though full digital-article access may still require a separate CNN Basic subscription.
This initiative follows Warner Bros. Discovery’s broader effort to diversify recurring revenue across its portfolio and aligns with similar direct-to-consumer expansions from other major media brands such as Disney, Paramount, and NBCUniversal.
INSIDER TAKE
CNN’s “All Access” tier illustrates how major media companies are transitioning from paywalls to portfolios — building subscription ecosystems that combine video, live content, and journalism into a single value proposition.
For subscription executives, the move underscores several trends transforming the digital-media economy:
- Bundled Value Stacking: Adding streaming and live content increases perceived value and provides multiple touchpoints that reduce churn risk.
- First-Party Data Leverage: Integrating article and video consumption allows CNN to build deeper engagement profiles and strengthen its ad-supported and subscription models alike.
- Hybrid Access Models: Extending access to pay-TV customers bridges linear and digital audiences, helping maintain brand continuity during the migration to direct-to-consumer.
As news and entertainment brands seek new ways to grow ARPU and retention, CNN’s All Access launch is more than a content play — it’s a blueprint for hybrid monetization. The experiment will test whether combining live programming with premium digital access can re-energize paid news and deepen audience relationships across platforms.