CNN
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
CNN firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CNN
- Legal name
- Cable News Network
- Website
- https://cnn.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CNN industry classification
Industry- Product category
- News and Media Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- National Broadcast News Networks (MPABAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- News & Business Information Cable Networks (MPABAFAE), International Broadcast Networks (Operating Domestic Feeds) (MPABAAAN), News Streaming Platforms (MPACAAAF)
Keywords
Where CNN is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
CNN business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Subscription Revenue (Streaming): CNN All Access streaming subscription providing 24/7 live news, original series, award-winning films, and exclusive video-on-demand content to subscribers. Offered at monthly and annual billing cycles targeting cord-cutters and digital-first consumers.
- Advertising: Traditional advertising revenue from television viewership and digital ad placements across CNN's website and platforms
- Content Licensing and Production: CNN Films produces documentaries with partners like Imagine Documentaries, generating revenue through licensing content to other networks and streaming platforms
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | All Access Annual - Best value option for streaming subscribers |
| Subscription | Monthly | All Access Monthly - Flexible monthly streaming option |
| Subscription | Annual | Basic Plan - Entry-level subscription |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
CNN product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CNN operates as a multi-platform news and media organization offering 24-hour cable news broadcasting across CNN, CNN International, and CNN Headlines; the CNN All Access premium streaming subscription; digital news content through CNN.com and mobile apps; documentary production via CNN Films; audio content through CNN Podcasts; and the Global Perspectives live events series. Core products are aimed at global news consumers seeking continuous coverage, original documentary programming, and multi-platform access to breaking news and current affairs.
Product overview
CNN operates as a multi-platform news and media organization offering a portfolio of products across streaming, linear television, digital content, lifestyle applications, documentary production, podcasts, and interactive games. The core offerings include CNN TV (the 24-hour cable news channel available in domestic, international, and headlines variants) and CNN All Access (the premium streaming subscription tier providing on-demand access to live news, original series, documentaries, and exclusive content). Supporting products include CNN Weather (the first standalone lifestyle app), CNN Underscored (product review editorial), CNN Films (documentary production), CNN Podcasts (audio content), CNN Games (interactive puzzles), Global Perspectives (flagship events series), and Bleacher Report (sports media sub-brand). These products serve audiences across television, web, mobile apps, and social platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CNN Weather: Standalone lifestyle weather app launched on iOS App Store combining weather forecasting with CNN meteorology and climate expertise
- CNN All Access
Products and services
- CNN All Access CNN's premium streaming subscription offering 24/7 live global news, original series, award-winning documentaries, breaking news coverage, live events, and exclusive video-on-demand content, available direct-to-consumer and via Amazon Prime Video.
- CNN TV CNN's core linear 24-hour cable news television channel providing continuous news coverage, including domestic US network, CNN International, and CNN Headlines variants.
- CNN Weather CNN's standalone weather application for iOS that combines weather forecasting with CNN's meteorology and climate expertise, the first in a planned suite of lifestyle products extending CNN's brand beyond breaking news.
- CNN Underscored CNN's product review and buying guide editorial content covering electronics, fashion, beauty, health and fitness, home, reviews, deals, money, travel, outdoors, and pets.
- CNN Films CNN's documentary film division producing and co-producing feature documentaries including award-winning productions, often in partnership with other studios like HBO Documentary Films and Imagine Documentaries.
- CNN Podcasts CNN's portfolio of podcast offerings including 'All There Is with Anderson Cooper', 'Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta', 'The Assignment with Audie Cornish', 'Terms of Service with Clare Duffy', and 'CNN 5 Things'.
- CNN Games CNN's interactive puzzle and game offerings including Sudoku, Sudoblock, Daily Crossword, Jumble Crossword, and daily quizzes.
- Global Perspectives CNN's flagship in-person event series featuring CNN journalists leading discussions with regional and global leaders on geopolitics, technology, media, and culture.
- Bleacher Report Sports media property under the CNN/Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella offering sports news, analysis, and coverage including NBA draft coverage.
- K-Everything: The Global Rise of Korean Culture Four-part documentary series produced and hosted by Daniel Dae Kim exploring the global rise of Korean culture across music, film, food, and beauty, with Hyundai Motor as sole sponsor.
Quantifiable outcome
- Global broadcast reach to 150+ countries
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CNN
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CNN technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature2 records
CNN partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.
- Media City QatarflagshipMedia City Qatar serves as Host Partner for CNN's flagship Global Perspectives event series in Doha, marking the first time CNN holds this event series in the Middle East and Gulf region. The partnership builds on CNN's decision to launch a new operation in Qatar in 2025. The event brings together dignitaries, political and business leaders for discussions on geopolitics, technology, media and culture.
- Hyundai Motor GroupminorMemorial concert marking 25th anniversary of founder Chung Ju-yung's passing aired on CNN's 'Showtime' program, featuring Korean pianists performing classical works with behind-the-scenes footage from rehearsals and Steinway factory.
- ICON InternationalminorICON International launched a Content and Entertainment solution dedicated to brand-funded content financing, production, and distribution. Initial projects include a feature documentary with CNN Films and Imagine Documentaries, representing a partnership for documentary production and content development.
- Amazon Prime VideocoreCNN launched its All Access streaming subscription on Amazon Prime Video in the US, making 24/7 live news, original content, live events, breaking news coverage, and exclusive video-on-demand available to Amazon customers. The subscription is priced at $6.99 per month or $41.99 annually through Prime Video.
- Hyundai MotorflagshipHyundai Motor is the sole sponsor of CNN's four-part documentary series 'K-Everything: The Global Rise of Korean Culture,' exploring K-beauty, K-pop, K-food, and K-film. The series is produced and hosted by actor Daniel Dae Kim and broadcast globally through CNN International, with additional availability on Coupang Play and HBO Max.
- Imagine EntertainmentcorePartnership for documentary production including a feature documentary with CNN Films and Imagine Documentaries, as well as other projects spanning feature documentaries and scripted content.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
CNN competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MSNBC: MSNBC is a direct competitor to CNN in the US 24-hour cable news category, offering similar linear TV news, digital platforms, and political coverage. Both are owned by larger media conglomerates (WBD and Comcast/NBCUniversal respectively) and compete for the same viewer demographics.
- Fox News: Fox News is the largest direct competitor to CNN in the US 24-hour cable news market, operating similarly across linear TV, digital, and streaming platforms (Fox Nation) targeting mass-market news audiences. Both compete for the same advertising and affiliate fee revenue pools.
- Al Jazeera: Al Jazeera is a global 24-hour news network with multi-platform distribution comparable to CNN International. Both compete for international news audiences, particularly in the Middle East where CNN is expanding via its new Qatar operation and Media City Qatar partnership.
- Sky News: Sky News is a 24-hour cable and digital news network comparable to CNN, offering breaking news coverage across TV, app, and streaming platforms. Operated by Comcast/NBCUniversal alongside MSNBC, it competes with CNN International particularly in UK and European markets.
- BBC News: BBC News is a global news broadcaster with international reach comparable to CNN International, offering 24-hour news across TV, digital, and streaming. Both compete for international viewers, premium global news advertising, and licensing partnerships with broadcasters worldwide.
Emerging players
- Newsmax: Newsmax is a fast-growing US cable and digital news network that competes with CNN for conservative-leaning cable news audiences and increasingly draws viewers away from mainstream networks. It represents the emerging right-leaning competitor in the same cable news category.
- The Daily Wire: The Daily Wire is a digital-native conservative media company that has expanded into streaming (DailyWire+), competing with CNN for cord-cutting audiences who prefer digital-first news and opinion content over traditional cable news.
Broad incumbents
- Reuters: Reuters is a global news organization owned by Thomson Reuters that competes with CNN for international newsgathering, B2B news licensing, and premium business/financial news audiences. It operates primarily as a wire service and digital news platform rather than 24-hour cable.
- Bloomberg: Bloomberg is a global business and financial news organization that competes with CNN Business for premium business news audiences, particularly financial professionals and high-net-worth viewers. Both monetize through advertising, subscriptions, and live events.
- ABC News (Disney): ABC News is a major US broadcast news operation under Disney that competes with CNN for national news audiences across linear TV, digital, and streaming (Hulu). As a broadcast network, it has broader reach but less depth in 24-hour news compared to CNN's cable model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CNN social profiles
Digital presenceCNN financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CNN leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CNN subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
CNN funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CNN M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CNN
What does CNN do?
CNN operates as a multi-platform news and media organization offering 24-hour cable news broadcasting across CNN, CNN International, and CNN Headlines; the CNN All Access premium streaming subscription; digital news content through CNN.com and mobile apps; documentary production via CNN Films; audio content through CNN Podcasts; and the Global Perspectives live events series. Core products are aimed at global news consumers seeking continuous coverage, original documentary programming, and multi-platform access to breaking news and current affairs.
Is CNN a public or private company?
CNN is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CNN founded?
CNN was founded in 1980. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is CNN based?
CNN is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does CNN make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Subscription Revenue (Streaming) is the primary driver. The others are advertising and content Licensing and Production.
Who are CNN's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MSNBC, Fox News, Al Jazeera, Sky News and BBC News. Emerging players are Newsmax and The Daily Wire. Broad incumbents are Reuters, Bloomberg and ABC News (Disney).
Does CNN have an API?
No public API is recorded for CNN.
What industry is CNN in?
CNN's product category is News and Media Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABAAAB, National Broadcast News Networks, with a secondary code of MPABAFAE, News & Business Information Cable Networks. Its NAICS code is 516120 and its SIC code is 4833.