CNN Introduces Digital Paywall, Charging U.S. Users for Article Access
CNN, one of the world’s leading news platforms, has introduced a digital paywall, charging select users $3.99 per month for article access. This move marks the first time the news giant has asked readers to pay for its content.
Starting Tuesday, CNN’s U.S. readers will be prompted to subscribe after consuming a certain number of free articles. According to Alex MacCallum, CNN’s executive vice president of digital products and services, the subscription model will fund CNN’s journalism globally. Subscribers will receive benefits such as unlimited article access, fewer ads, exclusive election coverage, and curated daily content.
In an internal memo, MacCallum outlined CNN’s shift, noting that casual readers who only engage with a few articles monthly will not yet face charges. As the paywall expands, CNN aims to grow its offerings to better serve a broadening audience. “We will continue to invest in ways to meet our users’ needs,” MacCallum wrote, hinting at future products.
This subscription initiative comes as CNN seeks to diversify revenue streams, particularly as cable TV revenues decline. In 2022, CNN attempted a subscription-based streaming service, CNN+, which was discontinued shortly after launch due to cost-cutting measures.
While CNN is making this pivot, other media outlets are following suit. Reuters also announced plans to introduce a paywall for its website and app, offering subscriptions at $1 per week beginning in October. These moves highlight the growing trend of news organizations seeking new ways to sustain operations amid changing consumer habits and financial challenges faced by the news industry.
The move reflects a broader effort by news organizations to shift away from the ad-supported free access model that has dominated since the internet’s early days.