CNN All Access: Your New Way to Stream Live News and Originals

CNN is launching a brand-new streaming service, All Access, and it promises to bring live news, exclusive content, and a massive library of Originals right to your devices. Here's everything you need to know about CNN's latest venture into the streaming world!

TL;DR: Key Details on CNN All Access

• CNN All Access launches on October 28, 2025, in the U.S.
• It costs $6.99/month or $69.99/year, with a special intro offer of $41.99 for the first year if you sign up by January 5, 2026.
• Subscribers get live domestic and international CNN feeds, over 1,000 hours of CNN Originals, next-day access to new series, and full CNN.com access.

CNN Is Jumping Back Into the Streaming Game

Get ready, news junkies and cord-cutters! CNN has officially announced the launch of its new direct-to-consumer streaming service, aptly named Cnn All Access. This isn't just a rehash; it's designed to be a comprehensive hub for all things CNN, bringing their journalism and programming directly to your screens.

Mark your calendars: the service is set to go live for U.S. users on October 28, 2025. If you've been looking for a dedicated way to get your CNN fix without a traditional cable subscription, this might be your answer.

Unpacking Everything You Get with CNN All Access

So, what exactly does "All Access" get you? A whole lot, actually! The new tier builds on CNN's existing digital subscription (which is now called the "Basic" tier and focuses primarily on articles) by adding a significant video component. Here’s the breakdown:

• Live Programming: You'll be able to stream a selection of both the domestic and international CNN linear feeds. This means live breaking news and current events from around the globe, right when they happen.
• CNN Originals Library: Dive into over 1,000 hours of acclaimed CNN Originals. Think gripping documentaries and in-depth series you might have missed.
• Next-Day Access: New episodes from CNN Original Series and CNN Films will be available the day after they air on traditional TV. No more waiting around!
• Exclusive VOD Content: Look forward to "exclusive new video-on-demand programming and special features" from CNN’s award-winning journalists. While details are still a bit vague here, it hints at unique content just for subscribers.
• Full Digital Access: This includes unlimited access to articles on CNN.com and its mobile apps, plus reduced advertising, continuing the benefits of the former digital-only subscription.

Breaking Down the Pricing for Your Budget

Let's talk money. CNN All Access will cost you $6.99 per month or $69.99 for an annual subscription. However, there's a sweet deal for early birds:

• Introductory Offer: Sign up by January 5, 2026, and you can snag the first year for just $41.99. That's a decent saving if you're quick!

It's also worth noting the "Basic" tier, which offers unlimited article access on CNN.com and mobile apps, is priced at $3.99 per month or $39.99 annually. For existing pay television subscribers who already get CNN through their cable package, you'll get access to the All Access video features at no extra cost. However, you'd still need to pay for the Basic tier if you want full, unlimited access to CNN.com's articles.

Another Spin on Streaming: A Look Back at CNN's Journey

If this sounds a bit familiar, you're not wrong. This isn't CNN's first rodeo in the streaming wars. Many might recall the short-lived CNN+, which launched in March 2022 and, despite a reported $300 million investment, lasted less than a month. That service primarily focused on creating exclusive original programming and hiring big-name talent.

Then came CNN Max, a content hub within HBO Max that launched in 2023. But with All Access on the horizon, CNN Max is set to shut down on November 1, 2025, just days after the new service debuts.

This time around, CNN seems to be taking a "more measured approach" to content strategy. Instead of betting big on brand-new, expensive originals, All Access leans into the existing CNN library and live feeds, aiming to be a centralized destination for everything CNN already does well.

"With this new subscription offering, our audience will now have access to the best of CNN across platforms, including multiple live stream channels, our signature video-led journalism and all articles on CNN.com and in the mobile app," said Alex MacCallum, Executive Vice President, Digital Products and Services, CNN Worldwide. "It’s an essential step in CNN’s evolution as we work to give audiences the complete CNN experience in a format that reflects how audiences engage with the news today."

Why the Push for Direct-to-Consumer Now?

CNN's CEO, Mark Thompson, has openly discussed the "existential crisis" facing the news organization. With more and more people ditching traditional cable (hello, cord-cutting!), a shift towards direct-to-consumer (DTC) products like All Access is seen as a crucial step for CNN's future. The network has even reorganized its newsrooms, combining linear and digital operations in 2024 to support this transition.

This move also comes as CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, plans to split into two public entities by 2026. CNN will be part of the "Discovery Global" segment, and a dedicated streaming product offers a way to directly generate revenue and connect with audiences in a changing media landscape.

Navigating a Crowded Streaming World: The Challenges Ahead

While CNN All Access offers a compelling package for dedicated fans, it faces a crowded and competitive streaming market. At nearly $70 a year, it's worth considering that comprehensive vMVPD services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer CNN plus dozens of other channels for only about $20 more per month. These services also often include perks like cloud DVRs.

There's also some internal skepticism, with one CNN veteran reportedly saying, "I don't know how we attract people to this product who are not huge CNN fans." Consumers are already feeling "streaming fatigue," with many cutting back on subscriptions due to financial concerns, according to research from Kantar Media and Deloitte.

Furthermore, trust in news media is a growing concern, and CNN, like many outlets, faces challenges in this area. In a world where TV ratings are shrinking (CNN was seventh-highest rated in primetime in the U.S. in mid-October, averaging 459,000 viewers compared to Fox News's 2.3 million and MSNBC's 814,000), making a paid streaming service stand out is no small feat.

Who Will Love CNN All Access?

Despite the challenges, CNN All Access isn't for everyone, but it could be a perfect fit for a specific audience. If you're a price-sensitive CNN fan who isn't interested in paying for dozens of other channels you don't watch, this could be your ideal solution. It’s also great for those who primarily get their video news and documentaries from CNN and have a strong interest in the network's nonfiction programming. Essentially, if you've cut the cord but still crave live CNN news and their in-depth features, this service is designed precisely for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About CNN All Access When does CNN All Access officially launch? CNN All Access is set to launch on October 28, 2025, in the U.S. How much does CNN All Access cost per month or year? The service costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. There's also an introductory annual rate of $41.99 for your first year if you subscribe by January 5, 2026. What's the main difference between CNN All Access and the old CNN+? Unlike the ill-fated CNN+, which heavily focused on original programming for the streaming platform, CNN All Access takes a more integrated approach. It primarily offers live domestic and international CNN feeds, access to the extensive library of existing CNN Originals, next-day access to new series, and full access to CNN.com, rather than investing heavily in brand-new, exclusive shows. Can I watch the full live CNN cable channel feed on All Access? CNN All Access provides access to "multiple live stream channels" and a "selection of CNN's live U.S. and international programming." This means you'll get significant live news and programming feeds from CNN, but it's positioned as their direct-to-consumer streaming offering rather than a direct, minute-for-minute simulcast of the entire cable channel broadcast. Sources

• "CNN launching DTC ‘All Access’ streaming tier Oct. 28" – Broadcast Business News
• "CNN All Access will give streaming cable news another try, for $6.99 a month" – The Verge
• "CNN is trying again at a full-service streaming subscription" – CNBC
• "CNN is making another go of it with a subscription service, announcing an Oct. 28 launch for its ‘all access’ service at a price of $6.99 per month." – Deadline
• "CNN is giving a new streaming app another shot — after its $300 million CNN+ died in less than a month" – Business Insider
• "Will the Third Time Be the Charm for CNN’s Streaming Plans?" – Vulture
• "CNN to Launch Streaming Subscription Tier for $6.99 Per Month" – Variety
• "CNN Makes Their Second Attempt At Launching Streaming Service" – Mixed Article Source
• "CNN Is Trying to Sell a Streaming Service Again (Only More Expensive This Time)" – Gizmodo
• "CNN Moves Forward with ‘All Access’ Streaming Tier Launch" – The Desk