CNN+ is being shut down by 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 appreciate all of the work that went into building CNN+, an organization with terrific talent and compelling programming. CNN will be best served with a simpler streaming choice.
The operations will stop on April 30. Andrew Morse is leaving Warner Bros. Discovery. Alex MacCallum, currently CNN+'s head of product/general manager, will lead CNN Digital.
The news service was launched by WarnerMedia less than a month ago.
A person familiar with the matter says that Chris Licht, the new head of CNN, has been working with other executives at Warner Bros. Discovery to analyze a streaming strategy for CNN. The person who asked not to be identified said that the decision to shut down CNN+ was based on his recommendation. One of the people said that Licht will speak to CNN staffers directly. The official start date is May 1.
CNN has invested hundreds of millions of dollars on new talent and programming for CNN+. One of the people said that some of the programming may live on CNN.com. The person said that some new talent may have roles on CNN. The person said that Licht would make those determinations in the coming weeks.
CNBC has previously reported that Warner Bros. Discovery wants to use CNN programming to bolster a larger streaming bundle that will combine the best of WarnerMedia and Discovery.
CNBC reported last week that CNN+ had less than 10,000 daily active viewers.
On March 29, outgoing WarnerMedia Chief Executive Officer said that CNN+ was important to the mission of CNN as the linear channel service has been these past 42 years. It would be hard to overstate how important this moment is for CNN.
CNN+ will cease to exist one month later.
This is breaking news. You can check back for updates.
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