How Does CNN Make Money? The CNN Business Model In A Nutshell - FourWeekMBA (2024)

Cable News Network (CNN) is a news-based pay television channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. As a cable channel, first and foremost, CNN generates income from a few sources: advertising, video affiliate network, cable subscriptions, and repackaged content.

Aspect Description
Advertising Revenue CNN generates a substantial portion of its revenue through advertising. The network offers advertisers the opportunity to reach its vast viewership through various advertising formats, including commercials during television broadcasts, digital ads on its website and mobile apps, and sponsored content. Advertisers pay CNN based on factors such as the ad’s placement, reach, and format. Advertising revenue is a primary source of income for CNN.
Cable and Satellite Carriage Fees CNN earns revenue from cable and satellite carriage fees paid by cable and satellite television providers for the right to include CNN in their channel lineups. These providers negotiate agreements with CNN and pay licensing fees to carry the network. These fees are typically based on the number of subscribers who have access to CNN through the provider’s service.
Digital Subscriptions CNN offers digital subscriptions to its content through platforms like CNN+ (CNN Plus). Subscribers pay a monthly fee to access premium content, including live streaming of CNN’s television broadcasts, exclusive documentaries, and additional digital features. Digital subscriptions provide CNN with a recurring revenue stream and diversify its income sources.
Syndication and Licensing CNN syndicates its news content to other media outlets, both domestically and internationally. It also licenses its content for use in various formats, including print publications, websites, and radio broadcasts. These syndication and licensing agreements generate revenue for CNN by allowing other media organizations to use its news content.
Event Hosting and Conferences CNN hosts events, conferences, and forums on various topics, including politics, business, and culture. These events may feature high-profile speakers and experts. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, sponsorships, and exhibitor fees. Hosting events provides CNN with an opportunity to engage with its audience and monetize its expertise in journalism.
Affiliate Sales and Merchandise CNN may generate revenue through affiliate sales and the sale of merchandise, such as books, documentaries, and branded products. Affiliate programs involve earning a commission for promoting products or services through affiliate links. CNN may also sell merchandise related to its news coverage and programming. These additional revenue streams contribute to CNN’s overall income.
Challenges and Competition CNN faces challenges related to competition in the media industry, as there are numerous news outlets and digital platforms vying for audience attention and advertising dollars. Maintaining viewership and relevance, addressing issues related to trust and accuracy in journalism, and adapting to changing media consumption habits are ongoing challenges.
Future Growth Strategies CNN’s future growth strategies may involve: – Digital Expansion: Continuing to invest in digital platforms and streaming services to reach a broader audience. – International Expansion: Expanding its presence in global markets through localized content and partnerships. – Content Diversification: Expanding its content offerings beyond news into areas like documentaries, lifestyle programming, and entertainment. – Subscriber Engagement: Enhancing subscriber offerings and engagement on digital platforms.

History of CNN

Cable News Network (CNN) is a news-based pay television channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

The multinational was founded in 1980 by media proprietor Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld. Anchored by husband and wife team David Walker and Lois Hart, CNN became the first 24-hour news service.

In the process, it also became the first American channel devoted entirely to news coverage.

In the ensuing decades, the reach of CNN expanded significantly. Content now encompasses multiple cable and satellite television, website content, and specialized closed-circuit channels.

The company now operates no fewer than 42 bureaus, 31 of which are based internationally. A second, dedicated news channel called CNN2 (the precursor to HLN) launched in 1982.

During the 1990-91 Gulf War, CNN was the only news outlet with the ability to communicate from inside Iraq. This bolstered the network’s reputation as a news provider and also made some of its (previously unknown) reporters household names.

Today, the company remains a popular source of news content. With approximately 2.366 million primetime viewers, CNN is second only to Fox News for viewership.

CNN revenue generation

As a cable channel first and foremost, CNN generates income from a few sources.

Let’s now take a look at each.

Advertising

When a brand wants to run advertising on a CNN-owned channel, it must pay an advertising fee. This fee is likely to be significant given the channel is ranked second for prime time viewership in the United States.

Brands can also pay to promote themselves on the CNN website, which is heavy in news article sidebar and footer advertising.

Video Affiliate Network

The CNN Video Affiliate Network (VAN) is a form of hosted revenue sharing. Here, the company provides the technical infrastructure necessary for affiliates to host content on their local news websites.

Once the videos are live, CNN collects advertising revenue which it then shares with the affiliate.

VAN content incorporates:

  1. CNN ad sales – where inventory is bundled and made into a national network suitable for sale to national advertisers.
  2. Content hub – which aggregates, normalizes, and synchronizes CNN content with content provided by local news services.
  3. Local news organizations – who manage their local inventory and can monetize content at their discretion.

Cable subscriptions

CNN also makes money via cable subscriptions. When a viewer purchases a cable subscription, the cable company pays CNN a fee to include its content in the package. This charge – which is sometimes called the fee-for-carriage – is typically around $8 per year per subscriber.

It should be noted that this fee is charged regardless of whether the customer actually watches CNN.

Repackaged content

CNN also repackages news content in limited scenarios. News is provided to airports on a closed channel and a similar service is also offered in some hotels.

Lastly, foreign networks may also pay CNN to repurpose content for their news bulletins.

Key takeaways:

  • CNN is an American multinational news-based pay television channel. Founded by Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld, it became the channel to offer dedicated, 24-hour news coverage.
  • With high prime-time ratings, CNN likely makes a significant amount of money from TV advertising. Digital advertising is also prevalent on the CNN website.
  • CNN also collects a fee-for-carriage, or a fee cable providers must pay for hosting its content. In limited circ*mstances, the company also sells repurposed content to hotels, airports, and foreign affiliated networks.

Key Highlights

  • Introduction:
    • Cable News Network (CNN): A news-based pay television channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
    • Founded in 1980 by Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld.
  • History:
    • CNN became the first 24-hour news service, dedicated entirely to news coverage.
    • Expanded reach to multiple cable and satellite TV, website content, and specialized channels.
    • Operates 42 bureaus, including 31 internationally.
  • Revenue Generation:
    • Advertising:
      • Brands pay advertising fee to run ads on CNN-owned channels.
      • CNN website features news article sidebar and footer advertising.
    • Video Affiliate Network (VAN):
      • Provides technical infrastructure for affiliates to host CNN content on their local news websites.
      • CNN collects ad revenue and shares with affiliates.
    • Cable Subscriptions:
      • Cable companies pay CNN a fee to include content in cable packages.
      • Fee-for-carriage, around $8/year/subscriber, regardless of actual viewership.
    • Repackaged Content:
      • Provides news content to closed channels in airports and some hotels.
      • Foreign networks pay to repurpose CNN content for their news bulletins.
  • Key Points:
    • CNN generates income from advertising on TV and website.
    • Cable subscriptions contribute revenue through inclusion in cable packages.
    • CNN Video Affiliate Network shares ad revenue with local affiliates.
    • Repackaged content is sold to airports, hotels, and foreign networks.

Read Also: Who Owns CNN, Who Owns Fox News, How Does Yahoo Make Money, How Does Google Make Money.

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FAQs

How does CNN make money? ›

License (affiliate) fees, one of two main sources of revenue for the major cable channels, remained relatively stable for all three. Advertising revenue, these channels' other main source of revenue, decreased by 13% for CNN and by 11% for MSNBC in 2022, while Fox News saw an 11% increase.

Who is the real owner of CNN? ›

CNN is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery. FACTS: CNN's two dozen branded networks and services are available to more than 2 billion people in more than 200 countries and territories.

Is CNN struggling financially? ›

Discovery is no exception – and though it lost far less money in the final quarter of 2023 than in the same period a year earlier, its loss was still wider than expected. The company, which owns CNN among other media properties, reported a net loss of $400 million, down from the $2.1 billion it lost a year earlier.

What is the difference between CNN and CNN International? ›

Unlike its sister channel, CNN, a North American-only subscription service, CNN International is carried on a variety of TV platforms across the world, and broadcast from studios inside and outside the United States, in Atlanta, New York City, London, Mumbai, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi.

What does CNN money do? ›

CNN Business (formerly CNN Money) is a financial news and information website, operated by CNN. The website was originally formed as a joint venture between CNN.com and Time Warner's Fortune and Money magazines.

Are Fox News and CNN owned by the same company? ›

CNN(Cable News Network) is owned by the Turner Broadcasting system which is a division of Time Warner. It was founded by Ted Turner in 1980s. Fox News(FNC) is owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of 21st Centry Fox which was created by media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

What is the parent company of CNN? ›

Where is the CNN headquarters? ›

Who has more viewers, CNN or Fox? ›

Further, CNN reached the most viewers in cable news in Q1 2024 among both P2+ and P25-54 (P2+: CNN: 44.0m, Fox News: 43.4m, MSNBC: 34.9m; P25-54: CNN: 11.6m, Fox News: 10.6m, MSNBC: 8.8m).

Is CNN losing viewers? ›

In primetime, CNN and MSNBC also lost viewership with CNN shedding 16% of its total viewership and 15% in 25-54 demo, while MSNBC was also down in both categories.

Who is competitor to CNN? ›

cbsnews.com , with 78.94M visits, 91 authority score, 84.73% bounce rate. abcnews.go.com , with 51.37M visits, 85 authority score, 77.27% bounce rate. bbc.com , with 572.71M visits, 100 authority score, 57.66% bounce rate. reuters.com , with 101.78M visits, 90 authority score, 74.77% bounce rate.

Is CNN obsolete? ›

Certainly not! While CNN has its share of disadvantages, it is still very much effective for tasks like object detection and image classification. ResNet and EfficientNet models which are state of the art convolutional architectures still reign supreme for such tasks.

How many employees does CNN have? ›

How many employees does CNN have currently? CNN has approximately 6.4K employees as of June 2024. These team members are located across 6 continents, including North AmericaEuropeAsia.

Are Fox and CNN owned by the same company? ›

CNN is owned by Turner Broadcasting System, a division of AT&T's WarnerMedia (the corporation formed by the merger of AT&T and Time Warner.) Fox News (officially known as the Fox News Channel, commonly abbreviated to FNC) is an American pay television news channel owned by the Fox News Group, a division of Fox.

How does a media company make money? ›

Media companies primarily make money from advertisem*nts and paid subscriptions. Other revenue drivers include internet services, filmed entertainment, and licensing.

Who is the CEO of the CNN? ›

CNN CEO Mark Thompson said he hopes that by the end of this year, "There are meaningful things out in the market that you can see which represent change," to the company's subscription product strategy.

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