CNN+ is no longer available, but CNN content is now part of Max

CNN shut down its standalone streaming service, CNN+, in April 2022, about four months after launch. If you were a CNN+ subscriber, your access ended and you received a refund. CNN's video content—news clips, documentaries, and original shows—moved to Max (formerly HBO Max), which is owned by the same parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.

If you want to watch CNN programming now, you have two main routes: subscribe to Max, or watch CNN's free content on CNN.com and the CNN mobile app. The free option gives you breaking news and some articles, but not all video content or the full archive.

Key Takeaways

  • CNN+ shut down in April 2022; CNN content now streams through Max instead.
  • Max subscriptions start at $5.99 per month with ads or $15.99 per month without ads, and include CNN's full video library.
  • You can watch some CNN content free on CNN.com and the CNN app without paying anything.
  • Max also includes HBO, Warner Bros. films, and other Discovery networks' shows alongside CNN programming.

What Max includes and how much it costs

Max offers two paid tiers. The ad-supported plan costs $5.99 per month and includes access to all CNN video content, HBO shows and films, and programming from other Warner Bros. Discovery networks. The ad-free plan costs $15.99 per month and removes advertisements but includes the same content library.

Both plans let you stream on multiple devices at once, though the number of simultaneous streams varies by plan. You can download some content to watch offline. If you already pay for HBO through a cable or streaming bundle, check whether Max is included—some packages offer it at no extra cost.

Max occasionally runs promotional pricing for new subscribers, usually offering the first month at a reduced rate. These offers change, so check the Max website directly when you sign up.

How to access CNN content without paying

CNN.com and the CNN mobile app (available on iOS and Android) let you read articles and watch some video clips at no cost. You do not need to create an account to browse. However, the free tier does not include CNN's full video archive, documentaries, or original series—those are behind the Max paywall.

The free CNN app and website update throughout the day with breaking news, so if you only need current events coverage and do not need on-demand access to older content, this option covers your basic needs. Some articles require you to watch a short advertisement before reading.

How to sign up for Max

Go to max.com and click the sign-up button. You will enter your email address, create a password, and choose between the ad-supported or ad-free plan. Max accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. After you enter payment information, your account activates immediately and you can start streaming.

If you sign up through a third-party platform—Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video Channels, or Roku—the sign-up process runs through that platform instead, and billing appears on that account. You can also manage your Max subscription through those platforms if you signed up there.

Canceling your Max subscription

You can cancel anytime through your Max account settings on the website or app. Go to your profile, select "Account," then "Subscription," and choose "Cancel Subscription." Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle—you keep access until that date, then your account closes.

If you signed up through Apple, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video Channels, or Roku, you must cancel through that platform's settings, not through Max itself. For example, if you subscribed via Apple App Store, go to your Apple ID settings, find the Max subscription, and cancel there.

What happened to CNN+ subscribers

CNN+ subscribers received full refunds when the service shut down in April 2022. If you were charged after the shutdown date, you could contact CNN or your payment processor to request a refund. CNN did not automatically transfer CNN+ subscriptions to Max; you had to sign up for Max separately if you wanted to continue watching CNN content.

Some CNN+ subscribers received promotional offers for discounted Max subscriptions as a courtesy, but these were time-limited and have now expired. If you were a CNN+ subscriber and want to watch CNN content now, you would need to purchase a Max subscription at current pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch live CNN on Max?

Yes. Max includes a live CNN feed so you can watch the network in real time. You can also rewatch recent broadcasts and access on-demand clips from shows like Anderson Cooper 360 and Wolf Blitzer's programs.

Does Max work on my TV?

Max is available on most major streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, PlayStation, and Xbox. You can also cast from your phone or computer to a compatible TV. Check max.com for the full list of supported devices.

Can I share my Max password with family members?

Max allows multiple simultaneous streams depending on your plan, so household members can watch at the same time on different devices. However, sharing your login with people outside your household violates Max's terms of service. Max has begun enforcing password-sharing restrictions in some regions.

Is there a free trial for Max?

Max does not currently offer a free trial period. However, it sometimes runs promotional offers for new subscribers, such as the first month at a reduced price. Check max.com when you sign up to see current offers.

What's the difference between Max and CNN.com?

CNN.com is free and includes breaking news, articles, and some video clips. Max is a paid subscription that includes CNN's full video library, documentaries, original series, plus HBO, Warner Bros. films, and other networks' content. If you only need current news, CNN.com is sufficient; if you want on-demand access to CNN's full archive and other entertainment, Max is necessary.