CNN to Launch Digital Paywall as Cable Viewership Declines

CNN is taking a bold step into the subscription model game, set to roll out a metered paywall for its digital content starting next month, according to The New York Times. The move is a clear nod to the strategies of outlets like The New Yorker and The Wall Street Journal, as CNN looks to generate new revenue streams amid a steep decline in cable TV viewership.

Frequent readers will soon have to pay for access after a limited number of free articles, though the exact threshold and pricing remain under wraps. As the most visited news site in the U.S., with 441.4 million monthly visits, CNN is banking on its digital audience’s loyalty. While this “inexpensive offering” is being launched as an experiment, it reflects a broader shift in how legacy media adapts to the realities of a shrinking TV audience and the growing demand for sustainable digital revenue.