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CNN Plans To Offer Subscriptions for Digital News Next Year (wsj.com)

Posted by msmash on from the changing-dynamics dept.

Benjamin Mullin, writing for WSJ: After investing in digital verticals focused on business and politics and acquiring an online-video startup, CNN is gearing up for another big step: It plans to launch tiered subscription offerings for its digital news business (Editor's note: the link could be paywalled; alternative source) as early as the second quarter of next year. A proposed premium offering will give subscribers access to special content on topic-specific verticals such as CNN Money and CNN Politics, built around network personalities. A second option will provide additional, though less specialized, content across all of CNN's sites. Pricing hasn't been finalized. The move is part of a broader five-year plan to develop new revenue streams and reach $1 billion in digital revenue by 2022. CNN's digital arm expects to pull in $370 million this year, according to a person familiar with its financials.

27 of 60 comments (clear)

  1. BBC News by jfdavis668 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This is why I get most of my news from the BBC, even though I live in the US. They don't try to dramatize it, they just report. I don't know why I would pay for the extra drama CNN tries to add to every story.

    1. Re: BBC News by Type44Q · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I wonder how much CNN would charge not to bring us their "news. "

    2. Re: BBC News by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      >They don't try to dramatize it, they just report.

      Best laugh of the day, thanks.

    3. Re: BBC News by datavirtue · · Score: 1

      Have to agree. BBC is a very biased "news" organization. I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them. They have a better brand than CNN, that's it.

      --
      I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
  2. Have no opinion? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Pay to have ours!! :P

  3. not CNN, WSJ by supernova87a · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Funny how this is being reported by the WSJ.

    If there is one news source that's worth paying for, it's the Wall Street Journal. Say what you will about their conservative / nonsensical editorial page writers and editors, but their actual journalism is top notch, and one of the few outlets actually worth subscribing to.

    CNN is basically an infographic production group, with an uninformed talking soundtrack.

  4. Why pay for fake news? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2

    No point in supporting their fake news business scheme.

  5. Can't I? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Can't I already buy poop via subscription on Amazon or something like that?

    No thanks, I don't want leftist propaganda even for free.

  6. So now I have to pay for autoplay? by Kaeleku · · Score: 1

    No thank you.

  7. Auto-play videos by sremick · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Can I pay to not have videos auto-play ever time I want to READ an article?

    1. Re:Auto-play videos by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      In Firefox -> about:config -> media.autoplay.enabled -> set to False. You must click on the small 'Play' button to the left of the seek bar to play the video. Sometimes twice on some sites. Small price to pay, though. Chrome surely has something similar...

  8. All hail James Oâ(TM)Keefe by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Imagine being this shallow: to think that the only two camps someone could possibly fall in are CNN Democrats and Fox Republicans. No, citizen, there are no views outside the diverse and intellectually-rigorous range that spans from Chuck Schumer all the way to John McCain. Those are the only views you are allowed to have!

    Now, for the rest of us who have put more than 5 minutes of independent thought into the matter, let us take this opportunity to thank James Oâ(TM)Keefe for exposing the gigantic propaganda mill that is the (formerly) mainstream media. I have every reason to believe that he is going to get Fox one day, too.

    1. Re:All hail James Oâ(TM)Keefe by PopeRatzo · · Score: 2

      All hail James Oâ(TM)Keefe

      Why did you feel the need to copy and paste James O'Keefe's name?

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    2. Re:All hail James Oâ(TM)Keefe by ClickOnThis · · Score: 1

      I have every reason to believe that [James O'Keefe] is going to get Fox one day, too.

      I doubt it. For the same reason sharks don't bite lawyers: professional courtesy.

      --
      If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
    3. Re: All hail James Oâ(TM)Keefe by reboot246 · · Score: 1

      Doctored videos? LOL! Not in your dreams. Try "edited" videos, just like everybody in the news business does. Oh, and he also releases the full, unedited videos just for doubters like you.

      What kind of evidence do you need?!?

  9. So if I pay... by wjcofkc · · Score: 1

    Do I get access to real news?

    --
    Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
    1. Re:So if I pay... by datavirtue · · Score: 1

      Yes....but you have to pay for that.

      --
      I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
  10. Re:Slow news day by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    Canâ(TM)t yaâ(TM)l

    Where are you copypasting all this stuff from?

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  11. The gunshot you just heard by Shogun37 · · Score: 1

    ...Was CNN shooting themselves in the foot. Again. Either use a bigger gun, or aim higher. Put yourself out of our misery.

  12. Cool by Tailhook · · Score: 2

    Another establishment group-think cesspool blocked by a paywall. Between that and the huge numbers dropping cable TV service CNN won't be seen outside airports.

    --
    Maw! Fire up the karma burner!
  13. Oh please by DaMattster · · Score: 1

    Oh please let me hurry up and subscribe. I am so excited that it just might end my constipation and I just might be able to take a lavish shit.

  14. Not all is lost! by blindax · · Score: 1

    You will still be able to get CNN fake news for free.

  15. Sweet, sweet irony by SlaveToTheGrind · · Score: 1

    It plans to launch tiered subscription offerings for its digital news business (Editor's note: the link could be paywalled . . .

  16. What not going to wait just one day?? by laurencetux · · Score: 1

    Then it would make real sense since

    Remember Remember the Fifth of November...
    is already a thing ( a cross the pond thing but...)

  17. Meh, I'll take the NY Times over WSJ by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    I prefer a bit more muck racking, and WSJ is too thoroughly owned by corporate interests to do any of that.

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
  18. Financial over optimistic? by twotonfist · · Score: 1

    Wow maybe someone should invest in this venture looking at those returns.

  19. Re:just saying by datavirtue · · Score: 1

    Solid. Solid.

    --
    I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock