With CNN All Access, the cable news titan makes its second leap from TV to the video streaming world. The network first attempted it in 2022 with CNN+, which lasted only a month. In comparison, CNN All Access is a more modest platform, a premium edition of existing CNN content, rather than a true standalone subscription. Its lack of basic streaming app features (parental controls, video quality adjustments, offline downloads) makes it somewhat of a tough sell. Still, CNN All Access is a fine way to stream high-quality journalism, something we need more than ever.

Plans and Prices

To access CNN All Access, you must create a free CNN account. You see, CNN All Access consists of exclusive content and perks within the existing CNN website and apps. A subscription costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year and includes the CNN All Access video library, CNN live TV streaming, and unlimited CNN articles. You can also just read unlimited articles for $3.99 per month. You don't need an existing cable subscription.

For a modern streaming service, $6.99 is on the lower end of the price spectrum, especially considering it includes a live TV element. It's just one dollar more than what CNN+ cost at launch. The closest direct competitor would be a documentary streaming service, like Curiosity Stream ($4.99 per month) or Kanopy (free with a library card).

(Credit: CNN/PCMag)

Still, for just a few dollars more, you can access the exponentially larger mainstream streaming libraries from Hulu and Netflix, with their ad-supported tiers starting at $11.99 per month and $7.99 per month, respectively. The platforms lack breaking news, but they offer a wealth of documentaries on newsworthy subjects, such as Hulu's Black Twitter: A People's History or Netflix's The Tinder Swindler.

CNN All Access is available on the web, on mobile devices (Android and iOS), and media streaming devices (Android TV, Fire TV, Roku).

What Can You Watch on CNN All Access?

CNN All Access's focus on news limits its catalog. Granted, "the news" can take many forms, and the app delves deeply into its niche. For example, any All Access subscriber can watch a CNN feed for familiar 24/7 cable news. If you connect the service to your cable subscription, however, you can unlock additional CNN channels to stream live, such as HLN.

The rest of the library includes quick-hit daily news stories, lengthy films pulled from the CNN archives, and hosted TV shows. With CNN All Access, I watched the ongoing analysis of the New York City mayoral election. Award-winning documentaries cover pivotal historical topics, such as presidencies and tumultuous years, as well as cultural icons like Martha Stewart and Serena Williams. CNN also has a stable of beloved hosts, including Anderson Cooper and the late Anthony Bourdain, and their shows are available on All Access.

(Credit: CNN/PCMag)

Still, with only about 100 films and shows alongside news clips, CNN All Access feels like a robust channel rather than a fully independent streaming subscription. What’s worse, to push users to the new paid subscription, CNN live streams are being removed from HBO Max, where they nicely complemented the rest of the well-rounded entertainment library. You can now only watch select on-demand CNN shows on HBO Max. Reality show trash is allowed to live on both HBO Max and Discovery+, so the removal here feels disappointing and ultimately weakens all the platforms across the board.

Streaming CNN All Access on the Web and Mobile

As mentioned, CNN All Access is a section you access on CNN's site. In that way, it reminds me of how ESPN Select handles paid premium video subscriptions within the existing ESPN app. You can watch some CNN videos for free, so technically, you can stream on unlimited devices. The numerous videos that require an All Access subscription are just locked until you upgrade. Regardless, all videos include ads, which is another disappointment.

The viewing experience on CNN All Access is basic. You can fast-forward and rewind, but you cannot adjust the video quality. You can follow specific topics, such as climate change or the Pope. The main page also categorizes videos by topics, such as "On the Ballot" and "Hollywood Buzz." But you can't, say, save videos to a watch list or filter your searches beyond just typing in a name.

On mobile, CNN All Access is integrated into the standard CNN app; it's not a standalone offering. The CNN mobile app offers quick access to mobile-oriented content, including audio podcasts. However, they're available to everyone, not just All Access subscribers. A subscription unlocks exclusive video content for mobile viewing, but does not include offline downloads.

(Credit: CNN/PCMag)

Accessibility and Parental Controls

CNN All Access's barebones streaming features extend to accessibility and parental controls as well. You can enable English subtitles and adjust visibility options, such as size, color, and window opacity. It's not much, but it's something.

The service has no parental controls. Each film or show displays an age rating, but there's no way to filter content for different users. Since you can watch some CNN content for free without an account, parental controls wouldn't be particularly effective anyway.

Can You Watch CNN All Access With a VPN?

News happens all over the world, not just in your home country. A VPN can spoof your location to another part of the world, keeping your online activity private while browsing. However, due to regional licensing deals, you typically can't use a video streaming service when using a VPN.

I tested CNN All Access with a Windows PC connected to Proton VPN. While connected to servers in a different country, I was unable to access CNN All Access.