The initiative is a sign of the times, reflecting how viewer behavior has rapidly changed, writes Variety. As viewers increasingly opt out of cable TV in favor of getting their news online and on their mobile devices, CNN is losing revenue and needs to rethink its strategy.
The paywall will affect users who frequently visit cnn.com. They will be asked to pay $3.99 per month (40 kronor). Exactly what will trigger the paywall is something CNN is not willing to disclose.
Those who pay will see fewer ads and be offered exclusive content, including interactive maps ahead of the US presidential election and current documentaries.
CNN reports that 150 million users visit the site every month.
This is the second time in a short period that CNN is making a major digital investment. In 2022, CNN+ was launched, a fully digital service with high-end programs, but it was shut down after just a few weeks due to low viewer numbers.
