CNN All Access: All You Need to Know About the New Streaming Service

CNN is making another big move into the streaming world with its brand-new "All Access" subscription service, promising live news, exclusive content, and more. Here's your cheat sheet!

TL;DR

CNN's new "All Access" streaming service officially launches on October 28, 2025.
It'll cost you $6.99 per month or $69.99 annually, with a special $41.99 intro rate for the first year if you sign up by January 5, 2026.
Expect live U.S. and International news, a massive library of CNN Originals, and full access to CNN.com articles.

CNN's Big Bet: Another Go at Streaming with 'All Access'

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Get ready, news junkies and streaming enthusiasts! CNN is diving back into the subscription streaming game with its latest offering, simply called "All Access." After some previous ventures in the digital space, this new service aims to be a centralized hub for all things CNN, bringing live news, documentaries, and in-depth journalism straight to your devices.

The network's chairman and CEO, Mark Thompson, has been a major force behind this initiative, working to blend CNN's traditional linear broadcasts with its digital operations. It's a clear signal that CNN is serious about meeting audiences where they are today – which, let's face it, is often on their phones or connected TVs, not just their cable boxes.

What You Get with CNN All Access: Content Galore

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So, what exactly does this "All Access" pass get you? A lot, actually! Subscribers are promised a comprehensive package:

Live U.S. and International Programming: A selection of CNN's live channels from both its domestic and global feeds.
CNN Originals Library: Access to a massive library of over 1,000 hours of CNN Original Series and CNN Films. Think gripping documentaries and acclaimed investigative series.
Next-Day Access: New CNN Original Series and CNN Films will be available on "All Access" just a day after they air on television.
Exclusive On-Demand Content and Live Events: Special programming and live events that are only for subscribers.
Full CNN.com Article Access: Unlimited reading of all articles on CNN.com and in the mobile app, plus subscriber-only written content.

Alex MacCallum, CNN Worldwide's Executive Vice President of Digital Products and Services, emphasized the network's commitment: "No one covers the world like CNN. With this new subscription offering, our audience will now have access to the best of CNN across platforms... 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.”

"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."

— Alex MacCallum, EVP, Digital Products and Services, CNN Worldwide

Breaking Down the Price Tag and Launch Date

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Mark your calendars! CNN "All Access" officially launches in the U.S. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Here's what you need to know about the cost:

Monthly Plan: $6.99 per month.
Annual Plan: $69.99 per year.
Introductory Offer: If you jump on board and sign up for the annual plan by January 5, 2026, you can get your first year for a discounted rate of just $41.99. That's a pretty sweet deal if you're an early adopter!

This new "All Access" tier builds on CNN's existing digital subscription, which launched in October 2024 and is now rebranded as the "Basic" tier. The Basic plan gives you unlimited access to CNN articles and select features, but without the video content that "All Access" provides.

Learning from Past Streaming Ventures: What's Different This Time?

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If you're thinking "Didn't CNN try this before?", you're not wrong. CNN has ventured into the streaming space a couple of times already, and "All Access" is designed to learn from those experiences.

The Short-Lived CNN+

Remember CNN+? It launched with much fanfare in March 2022, priced at $5.99 per month (though some reports indicated a $2.99 price initially). The network reportedly poured $300 million into it, even hiring big names like Chris Wallace. However, it was famously shut down just one month later, in April 2022, following the merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery. The new parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), decided it didn't fit their broader streaming strategy, which aimed to consolidate content under a single offering (now Max).

The key difference this time around is that "All Access" isn't a separate, personality-driven platform like CNN+ was. Instead, it's pitched as a direct extension of the main CNN network, offering a selection of its core live programming and a deep dive into its acclaimed Originals, alongside its digital journalism.

Phasing Out CNN Max

Later, in 2023, CNN launched CNN Max on the HBO Max platform (now just Max). This stream largely relied on CNN's international feed. However, with "All Access" on the horizon, CNN Max is being phased out. The partnership with Max is set to conclude on Monday, November 17, 2025. So, if you've been getting your CNN fix there, you'll need to consider "All Access" for your future live streaming needs.

The Bigger Picture: Warner Bros. Discovery's Strategic Moves

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This launch doesn't happen in a vacuum. CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is undergoing significant changes. The media giant announced in June that it plans to split into two separate public entities by 2026: one focusing on its streaming and studio assets (including Max and its movie properties), and another on its global networks, which will include CNN.

This restructuring could influence future bundling options for "All Access" and how it integrates into the wider streaming landscape. Plus, there are whispers of takeover interest in WBD from entities like Paramount Skydance, adding another layer of intrigue to the company's future.

Good News for Cable Subscribers (with a Small Catch!)

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If you're already paying for CNN through your cable or satellite package, you're in luck! Existing pay-TV customers will be able to log in and access the new "All Access" streaming product at no additional cost. That means you can get the live streaming channels, CNN Originals, and exclusive video content.

However, there's a small detail to note: even as a cable subscriber, you'll still need to subscribe to the "Basic" tier (the article paywall) to access an unlimited number of CNN.com articles. So, for the full, unfettered experience, both "Basic" and your cable subscription would be ideal.

Why This Matters to You

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For viewers, "CNN All Access" represents a more direct and comprehensive way to consume CNN's content without needing a traditional cable bundle. In an increasingly fragmented media landscape, having a dedicated hub for a major news organization's output is appealing to many. It offers flexibility, on-demand access, and a chance to dive deeper into their documentary and investigative programming. While it's another subscription to consider, the introductory pricing makes it an interesting option for those looking to stay informed with a robust news offering.

CNN is clearly committed to evolving with how people get their news, and "All Access" is their latest, most integrated effort yet. Whether it will become a lasting fixture in your streaming lineup remains to be seen, but it certainly offers a compelling package.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About CNN All Access Answered When does CNN All Access officially launch? CNN All Access is set to launch on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. How much will CNN All Access cost? The service will be priced at $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. There's also an introductory annual rate of $41.99 if you sign up by January 5, 2026. What content is included with a CNN All Access subscription? You'll get a selection of live U.S. and International CNN programming, over 1,000 hours of CNN Original Series and Films (with new content available next-day), exclusive live events and on-demand video, and unlimited access to all articles on CNN.com and its mobile app. Is CNN All Access replacing CNN Max? Yes, CNN Max, which was available on the HBO Max/Max streaming platform, is being phased out. The content partnership with Max is expected to end on November 17, 2025, with "All Access" taking its place as CNN's primary direct-to-consumer streaming offering. Sources