Political | Process

CNN officials rebuked statements that the launch of their streaming service was unsuccessful, but did not provide information oh how many subscribers CNN+ currently has nor deny that possible layoffs were in store in the near future.

‘We are very happy with the launch of CNN+ and look forward to its long success ahead,’ a CNN spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

CNN+, a $5.99-per-month streaming service, represents the media outlets step into the world of streaming, similar to how Fox launched its own Fox Nation streaming service in 2018. 

CNN says that its new streaming service will feature live daily news programming, original series, true crime shows and food and travel docuseries. 

The service made waves as it brought on big names to help it in the competitive world of streaming, grabbing Fox News’ Chris Wallace and MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt to host new shows on their platform. 

Hunt told The Washington Post that the move to streaming was an obvious step in the right direction.

‘My parents don’t even pay for cable,’ Hunt said. ‘I just think that this way of watching television is the future, and that’s why it felt like kind of a no-brainer to do this.’

CNN also brought in chef and author Alison Roman and actress Eva Longoria, who will host a travel show focused on Mexican cuisine, as well as NPR’s Audie Cornish, who will host a weekly interview show. 

Andrew Morse, head of CNN Plus, said the new service was not ‘a defensive play’ due to the aging of traditional news fans as Nielsen data shows that the average CNN viewer is 64 years old. Both Fox and MSNBC’s average viewer is 68. 

‘We made a very purposeful decision to create something distinct,’ Morse told the Post. ‘There are always going to be challenges when you’re building something new.’