CNN.com Video Becomes Free In June; Premium Product To Launch In Fall

“In June, CNN will make video clips free on its Web site for the first time, dropping a $4.95 fee,” the New York Times reports.
But the Times story is short on details. Multichannel News has the real scoop: “The premium product coming this fall will include multiple live streams, access to CNN’s video archives and user-customized options.” In addition, “the new CNN.com home page will prominently feature video, as well as section fronts, story pages and special-report areas.”

> “We’re changing our model and changing the way we distribute video,” said Susan Grant, executive vice president of CNN News Services.

> “CNN now charges $12.99 a month for video as part of the Real SuperPass package from RealNetworks Inc. The site is switching to rival Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Media Player 9 to deliver the free video, but Grant said the partnership with RealNetworks might continue when the premium video package is launched in the fall,” the AP reports.