CNN Worldwide can now call itself the first news organization to stream its linear television channels online and on mobile devices to consumers who subscribe to a multi-channel video service. CNN and HLN’s complete 24-hour television networks are being streamed live on CNN.com, the CNN App for iPad and the CNN App for iPhone and iPod touch beginning 7/18.
CNN.com also debuted a new video experience, which seamlessly integrates live network TV into a larger and higher-quality video player, capable of delivering HD quality. It offers a cinematic player that optimizes the video quality for a user based on their Internet connection, with the capability of delivering HD quality. Video can be “squeezed back” to allow a user to browse through archived CNN video collections and TV show clips without leaving the video experience.
In addition to the live streams of CNN’s networks, the video experience will continue to offer up to four live streams of breaking news and events, original video series and on-demand video clips with related CNN and HLN show info.
CNN and HLN online and mobile streaming is currently available to some 50 million households with subscribers to participating pay TV providers, including AT&T, Comcast, Cox, DISH Network, Suddenlink and Verizon.
“A principal goal for CNN is to make more of our content available to more people on more platforms, and CNN’s participation in the TV Everywhere initiative is another step forward in that effort,” said Jim Walton, President of CNN Worldwide. “We have long believed that our growth depends on keeping CNN essential and relevant to consumers wherever they are.”
To access CNN and HLN online, users can go to www.cnn.com/video, click on the “Live” tab and log-in through their cable, satellite or telco provider with a username and password.
For mobile devices, a user can download the CNN App for iPad or the CNN App for iPhone and iPod touch (or update their app to version 1.2 for iPhone, 1.1 for iPad), and authenticate in the same way.
The CNN App for iPad and CNN App for iPhone and iPod touch are available for free from the App Store.
RBR-TVBR observation: We wonder what would happen if the streams were made free to everyone, rather than just to paying cable/satellite subscribers. It seems pay networks are not quite ready to make that leap, as you’d really start seeing a “cutting of the cord.”
