CNN+ gets first distribution deal as Warner and Comcast renew carriage agreement

WarnerMedia has announced the renewal and expansion of its carriage deal with Comcast.

The headline to come out of this news is the announcement of the first distribution agreement for Warner’s premium news streamer CNN+ which will launch later this year. When it does, Comcast will make CNN+ available  to its Xfinity customers via its Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex, and XClass TV platforms.

CNN+ will join HBO Max in being available on Xfinity platforms. Xfinity customers who subscribe to the HBO channel receive complimentary access to HBO Max, but Warner is yet to reveal similar plans for its latest SVOD.

The multi-year cable network agreement will also see the continued carriage of WarnerMedia’s lineup of cable networks including TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, TCM, truTV, HLN and CNN en Español.

Scott Miller, EVP of business and legal affairs, WarnerMedia, said: “We’re so pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with Comcast and deliver best-in-class storytelling, essential news and premium sports to millions of customers. It’s an exciting time in our industry as we continue putting consumers at the centre of where and how they are informed and entertained. Comcast’s position as both a pay TV provider and app platform complements our foundational business of linear TV and emerging streaming businesses.”

Rebecca Heap, senior vice president, consumer products and propositions, Comcast Cable, said: “WarnerMedia has been a terrific partner through the years, and we are very pleased to provide our Xfinity customers with access to their content across our industry-leading platforms.”