CNN Reveals $6.99 All Access Price In 2025, Here’s Why It Matters

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By: Jessica Morrison

Shock rippled on October 28, 2025. The timing matters because legacy newsrooms are testing whether paid streaming can reach cord-cutters and mobile-first audiences now. CNN announced All Access with a $6.99/month price and an introductory $41.99 first-year rate, offering roughly 16 hours of the linear feed each day. This feels more pragmatic than the disastrous CNN+ relaunch attempt, blending live hours with on-demand films and podcasts. Will you pay for continuous CNN coverage, or will this further split viewers into pay and free camps?

What CNN’s All Access launch means for U.S. streamers today

  • CNN launched All Access on October 28, 2025; price set at $6.99/month.
  • Live feed mirrors linear for 16 hours daily; on-demand library included.
  • Early-bird deal: $41.99 first-year rate for sign-ups through January 5, 2026.

Why CNN’s streaming push matters this October 2025

CNN is reopening the paid-streaming experiment at a fraught corporate moment for Warner Bros. Discovery and amid industry shifts toward ad-supported models. Variety reports CNN aims to court mobile-first news consumers, while Deadline notes the tier packages nearly all live hours between 5 a.m. and midnight. The combined approach-lower monthly price, a heavy live component, and a documentary/podcast library-could either stabilize direct revenue or fall short if subscription fatigue wins. Is this a smarter second act or a repeat of old mistakes?

Which voices are praising or panicking over the new $6.99 plan?

Industry insiders praised the pricing as realistic, while some viewers said they wouldn’t pay. CNN’s PR account announced the launch and lineup on X, prompting both early sign-ups and skepticism about paying for a news feed that many already access free elsewhere. The social reaction split between convenience seekers and paywall skeptics.

The quick stats that show who CNN is trying to win in 2025

CNN’s push leans on measurable audience moves: cord-cutting rates, mobile viewership, and first-year promotions designed to lower the entry barrier. Expect the company to watch subscription conversion closely through Q1 2026.

The key figures that show why All Access could shift 2025 streaming

KPI Value + Unit Change/Impact
Price $6.99/month Low entry price vs premium news apps
Intro annual $41.99/year Discounted first-year offer through Jan 5
Live feed 16 hours/day Mirrors most linear schedule; increased availability
Pay-TV reach 67.1M (2024) Projected to 62M by end of 2026 (-7.6%)

How will CNN All Access change news streaming in 2025?

Expect three possible outcomes: modest subscription revenue from viewers who value continuous access; stronger mobile engagement for snackable video and podcasts; or a muted uptake that leaves CNN reliant on pay-TV bundles. If Warner Bros. Discovery explores asset sales, All Access could become a visible growth asset or a testing ground for licensing. Will this subscription nudge other legacy newsrooms to charge for curated live feeds, or will free platforms keep dominating attention?

Sources

  • https://deadline.com/2025/10/cnn-launches-all-access-streaming-service-wbd-1236599370/
  • https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/cnn-all-access-subscription-streamer-launch-mobile-viewers-1236562472/

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