[Update: It’s dead] CNN+ launches today, won’t be available on Android TV and Google TV

Ben Schoon | Apr 21 2022 - 9:19 am PT

CNN+ is launching today as a premium streaming service on top of the major news network, with additional original programming and more. Unfortunately, CNN+ is launching without an app for Google TV and Android TV.

Update 4/21: Less than a month after it was announced, CNN+ is dead. CNN CEO Chris Licht announced today that CNN+ will be shut down entirely on April 30. CNBC had reported on April 12 that the service had only 10,000 daily viewers. Axios, which first reported the shutdown, claims the service had only amassed around 150,00 subscribers in total and that executives were frustrated that the product ever launched, due to the recent WarnerDiscovery merger.

The end of CNN+ will end up going down as one of the most short-lived streaming endeavors ever.

CNN+, the streaming service that was hyped as one of the most signifiant developments in the history of CNN, will shut down on April 30, just one month after it launched. https://t.co/K92mv8qBE7
— CNN (@CNN) April 21, 2022

CNN+ is described as an “additive” to the 24-hour news network, with one of its big differentiating features being live segments where viewers can submit questions and “upvote” others. It also features original series and exclusive reporting. CNN+ lives within the typical CNN app and costs $6/month, though there’s a $3/month “lock-in” discount at launch.

We’re thrilled to offer CNN+’s world class journalism, premium storytelling and Interview Club platform at this attractive price. Nothing like CNN+ exists. There is no news and non-fiction streaming subscription offering available today, and only CNN can create and deliver a global news product with this kind of value to consumers.

For the time being, though, CNN+ is not available on Google TV and Android TV, rather only being available on Android phones and tablets, iOS/iPad OS, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. The app also is not available on Roku.

The head of CNN+, Andrew Morse, previously said that the launch was “coming down to the wire to get on as many platforms we can.” Luckily, there are plans to expand availability “in the coming months.”