CNN is set to enact a paywall for its news content in October, capping off a plan floated by the network earlier this year.
A report from The New York Times reveals that the network will launch a “metered” paywall, requiring more frequent users of the organization to pay for access after exceeding a set number of free articles.
CNN is utilizing a similar approach that The Times and many other news outlets feature. New CNN CEO Mark Thompson previously worked at the New York news organization before joining the cable network.
Thompson has not been shy about stating that digital efforts were going to include looking at a paywall option for the cable news organization. During layoffs that affected nearly 100 employees earlier this year, Thompson floated the ideal of a digital subscription service as part of the company’s “restructuring.”
“In the future our digital products need to do a far better job of reflecting CNN’s massive strength in video and anchoring/reporting talent,” Thompson said at the time of the layoffs. “Video will be at the heart of our future and a re-imagined video experience on every platform – from pure digital to streaming, FAST channels and more – it is essential for CNN’s future.”
Pricing plans have yet to be unveiled. However, it was revealed that, in spite of the paywall for news content, the cable news network was not planning any additional programming or extra content launches after enacting the new subscription model.
