cnn.com

What CNN.com Is

CNN.com is the online news website of CNN — Cable News Network — which is one of the best-known global news brands. CNN itself was launched in 1980 as the first television network to broadcast news 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That shift changed how audiences consumed news and pushed other networks to adapt.

CNN.com started in 1995 (originally branded CNN Interactive) as the digital arm of the TV network. Over the decades it grew into one of the most visited news sites in the world, carrying breaking news, features, analysis, and multimedia content covering politics, world events, business, technology, health, entertainment, sports, and much more.

Who Runs It

CNN.com is part of CNN Worldwide, which is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery. The network includes television channels (CNN/U.S., CNN International, HLN, and others), broadcast bureaus around the world, and digital platforms like the website and apps.

CNN’s digital operations have a full leadership team managing editorial direction, product, and digital strategy — separate from the television side.

What You Find on CNN.com

CNN.com covers pretty much all major categories of news:

• Breaking news and live updates
• Politics — U.S. and global political developments
• World news — wars, crises, elections, diplomacy
• Business & markets
• Technology and science
• Health & wellness
• Entertainment & culture
• Sports
• Opinion & analysis

On top of written articles, the site also hosts videos, interactive graphics, and links to live or on-demand broadcasts from the CNN TV channels.

The site also connects to the CNN mobile app and streaming services, where users can watch video content and clips.

Business Model & Recent Shifts

Historically, CNN.com was free to access without a hard paywall. But in 2024 CNN introduced a new digital subscription tier for unlimited article access and premium content. Some content remains free, but frequent readers may be prompted to subscribe after crossing a usage threshold.

In 2025, CNN extended this strategy with a broader All Access subscription tier that bundles:

• Unlimited digital articles
• Live and on-demand video content
• CNN Originals and exclusive programming

This service is priced (in the U.S.) at about $6.99 per month or $69.99 annually with early-sign-up discounts available.

This move reflects a wider trend in news media: declining traditional cable audiences push organizations to generate revenue from digital subscriptions and streaming, not just advertising or cable carriage fees. Some digital products build on CNN.com’s reach globally.

Editorial Position and Perception

Independent media-bias rating sites classify CNN’s online news content as leaning moderately toward the left on the political spectrum. That doesn’t mean individual articles always reflect that bias, but measures how topics and tone are perceived relative to the broader media environment.

Regional & Franchise Sites

CNN.com is the global English-language site, but there are also regional branded properties like CNN Indonesia. CNN Indonesia is a separate entity licensed to a local media company — it operates in Indonesian and serves local and international news to that audience.

How It Fits into the Global News Ecosystem

CNN.com is widely cited by other media. Its global traffic remains among the highest for news sites, though precise ranking numbers shift over time. It often breaks news early because of its international bureau network and 24/7 coverage. Its digital footprint helps extend CNN’s influence beyond cable TV distribution.

Key Takeaways

• CNN.com is CNN’s main digital news property, launched in 1995 as one of the earliest major news websites.
• The site delivers breaking news, multimedia, opinion, and features on a wide range of topics.
• It’s part of CNN Worldwide, under Warner Bros. Discovery’s umbrella.
• In recent years, CNN.com has introduced digital subscription tiers to grow revenue as TV audiences decline.
• Independent ratings classify CNN’s web news coverage as leaning left in editorial tone.
• CNN’s brand extends globally, including localized franchises like CNN Indonesia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CNN.com free to use?
Many articles on CNN.com are free to read. However, frequent readers may encounter a digital subscription prompt that unlocks unlimited access and premium features.

Who owns CNN.com?
CNN.com is owned by CNN Worldwide, which is part of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Does CNN.com only cover U.S. news?
No. While it has extensive U.S. coverage, it also reports on global events, foreign policy, international crises, and worldwide trends.

How is CNN’s political coverage perceived?
Independent media bias assessments generally rate CNN’s online news as leaning moderately left.

What’s the difference between CNN.com and the TV channel?
They share editorial resources, but CNN.com publishes articles, videos, and interactive content tailored for online consumption. The TV network focuses on live broadcasts and scheduled programming.