The Business of Streaming Thread

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

It was always meant to be a complement and not a replacement for the CNN cable channel. CNN is one of the cornerstones of the traditional Cable TV package and they weren't trying to directly compete with it.

I know. That was a fatal flaw in the concept from the start. Why would anyone subscribe to a CNN streaming service without CNN news? Some weak-sauce catalog stuff and Chris Wallace interviews cannot make up for the lack of what makes CNN CNN. It could have been attractive for the growing number of cable cutters if the full news coverage had been included, but not like this.

It's also not being shut down because it wasn't "successful", since it hasn't even been running a full month yet.

For sure, the fact that it was the pet project of the outgoing management was an issue. But it is also true that the subscriber numbers were far below expectations.

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

I know. That was a fatal flaw in the concept from the start. Why would anyone subscribe to a CNN streaming service without CNN news? Some weak-sauce catalog stuff and Chris Wallace interviews cannot make up for the lack of what makes CNN CNN. It could have been attractive for the growing number of cable cutters if the full news coverage had been included, but not like this.

They were likely going after people who already have access to CNN and are already fans of their various on air talent and want more content. All of their main talent like Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, Jake Tapper, etc. have shows on the soon to be dead streaming service. In addition to Chris Wallace like you mentioned, they got someone from NPR, an ex NFL player, and others. They invested around $300 million so far and were going to dump hundreds of more millions into it to build it out over the coming months/years.

For them to offer a live broadcast of their main CNN channel they might have to renegotiate their carriage deals with all of the various providers of 'CableTV' content. I believe Paramount+ only offers live broadcast of CBS if you have Cable TV credentials. Does ESPN+ offer 24 hour live broadcast of its main channels?

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

For them to offer a live broadcast of their main CNN channel they might have to renegotiate their carriage deals with all of the various providers of 'CableTV' content.

Well yes, if they want to become less dependent on the eroding cable business and get into the growing streaming market, they'll have to come up with a business model. For example, the big cable companies have their own streaming offerings now because they are well aware that the traditional cable business is dying a slow death. CNN could have sold CNN+ through those channels in addition to their OTT app, giving the cable companies a nice cut.

But at the end of the day that is their problem, not mine. As a potential customer, I'm only interested in getting something of value for my money, and in this case I just didn't see it.