CNN launches paywall for digital content on CNN.com

In a major shift in its business strategy, CNN has officially launched a paywall on CNN.com, the start of a “long-term” effort to build a sustainable digital subscription offering.

Alex MacCallum, executive vice president of digital products and services at CNN, announced the paywall in a memo to employees on Tuesday.

“Starting today, we are asking users in the United States to pay a small recurring fee for unlimited access to CNN.com's premium articles,” MacCallum wrote. “The vast majority of the 150 million users who visit CNN.com each month will continue to enjoy the same experience they enjoy today. Only after users have consumed a certain number of free items will they be prompted to subscribe.

“In addition to unlimited access to CNN.com stories, subscribers receive benefits such as exclusive election stories, original documentaries, a curated daily selection of our most outstanding journalism and reduced digital advertising,” she added.

It's not immediately clear how many articles users have to click on to get to the paywall. CNN says the paid subscriptions will initially cost $3.99 per month or $29.99 per year. The CNN homepage, live blogs and live breaking news, vertical videos, standalone video pages and interactive content will not initially be included in the paywall.

MacCallum adds that the offering will change over time.

“This launch is just the first step in CNN’s journey to becoming a more consumer-focused digital product company,” she wrote. “Over time, we will invest in ways to better meet the needs of our users and expand our reach to reach and serve new audiences. We will create new products and businesses, build new capabilities in product, engineering, data and subscriptions, and evolve the way we work.”

Among other things, CNN is expected to add more “need to know” news and analysis in compelling formats, as well as lifestyle-oriented “need to know” content. CNN will also ultimately focus more on video and its on-air talent to differentiate it from most other news subscriptions, although text will remain a big piece of the puzzle.

Earlier this summer, CNN cut about 100 jobs as part of its digital transition.

Coincidentally, another major news brand, Thomson Reuters, also announced its own digital paywall on Tuesday. This subscription costs $1 per week.

“Trusted, unbiased and up-to-date news is essential in a time of misinformation,” said Reuters President Paul Bascobert. “This new subscription plan ensures Reuters can expand the reach of its award-winning reporting at an affordable price, while allowing us to further invest in our reporting and subscriber products.”