CNN+ is coming to an end just after a month the streaming service has launched.
The parent company of CNN, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that CNN+ will cease operations effectively on April 30. Customers are promised to be refunded their subscription fees as a result of the closure.
Andrew Morse, the man who was leading the launch of the streaming service is also leaving the company after a transition period following the merger of Warner Bros. Discovery.
In a statement about the closure Chris Licht, chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide said, “As we become Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN will be strongest as part of WBD’s streaming strategy which envisions news as an important part of a compelling broader offering along with sports, entertainment and nonfiction content.”
“We have therefore made the decision to cease operations of CNN+ and focus our investment on CNN’s core news-gathering operations and in further building CNN Digital.”
“This is not a decision about quality; we appreciate all of the work, ambition and creativity that went into building CNN+, an organisation with terrific talent and compelling programming. But our customers and CNN will be best served with a simpler streaming choice,” adds Licht.
J.B. Perrette, CEO and president of Global Streaming and interactive entertainment at Warner Bros. Discovery said, “Consumers are the centre of our strategy. In a complex streaming market, consumers want simplicity and an all-in service which provides a better experience and more value than stand-alone offerings, and, for the company, a more sustainable business model to drive our future investments in great journalism and storytelling.”
“We have very exciting opportunities ahead in the streaming space and CNN, one of the world’s premier reputational assets, will play an important role there,” adds Perrette.
Following Morse’s departure, the head of Product/General Manager CNN+, Alex MacCallum, will head up CNN Digital and will work to determine the next steps.
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