CNN+

Corporate brand

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Spanish 24-hour television news channel operated as a joint venture between Sogecable and Turner Broadcasting System.

Last updated October 21, 2026

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Overview

CNN+ was a Spanish 24-hour television news channel that operated from 1999 until December 2010. It was created as a joint venture between Sogecable, a media company associated with Prisa, and Turner Broadcasting System, the Time Warner unit responsible for CNN-related television operations. Although it used the CNN name and international news-channel model, CNN+ was a Spanish-market service rather than the principal U.S. CNN network. The channel’s proposition was continuous general-interest news and information programming for Spanish viewers. Its programming model reflected the expansion of 24-hour television news in Spain during the late 1990s and 2000s. CNN+ used the slogan “Está pasando, lo estás viendo,” meaning “It’s happening, you’re watching it,” to emphasize immediacy and live coverage. CNN+ faced increasing competition from other Spanish 24-hour information channels. By 2008, Intereconomía TV and TVE 24h were also competing in the category, and CNN+ was no longer the audience leader among general-information news channels. Its ratings were reported as low, with a peak of 0.6 percent. The channel also incurred financial losses, weakening the case for continued operation. A further structural change occurred in December 2009, when Sogecable’s channels were merged into Gestevisión Telecinco, which already controlled Telecinco. The resulting changes in the Spanish television landscape contributed to the channel’s eventual closure. Management announced that CNN+ would end because of low ratings and losses. It stopped broadcasting at 11:59 p.m. Spanish time on 28 December 2010, despite earlier communication that closure would occur on 31 December. After the shutdown, the channel’s digital-terrestrial television space was temporarily used by Gran Hermano 24 horas, a service devoted to continuous coverage of Spain’s Big Brother reality franchise. From 1 March 2011, the position was occupied by Divinity. CNN+ therefore remains a defunct Spanish news-channel brand whose history is distinct from that of CNN’s continuing international television and digital businesses.

History

CNN+ was established in Spain in 1999 as a joint venture between Sogecable, a Prisa subsidiary, and Turner Broadcasting System, then a unit of Time Warner with responsibility for the CNN television business. The service was designed as a Spanish 24-hour television news channel, adapting the continuous-news format associated with CNN to the Spanish market. Its programming centered on rolling news and general information. The channel operated during a period when Spanish television audiences were gaining access to more dedicated information services. CNN+ promoted the immediacy of its format through the slogan “Está pasando, lo estás viendo,” or “It’s happening, you’re watching it.” The competitive environment became more difficult during the 2000s. By 2008, Intereconomía TV and TVE 24h were also operating 24-hour television news services. CNN+ was no longer the leading general-information channel in this segment, and its ratings remained weak, reportedly reaching a maximum of 0.6 percent. Persistent financial losses added to the commercial pressure. The ownership and channel landscape around CNN+ also changed. On 18 December 2009, Sogecable’s channels were merged into Gestevisión Telecinco, a company that already controlled Telecinco. This broader restructuring altered the position of the Sogecable channels within Spain’s television market. Management subsequently announced that CNN+ would be closed because of low audience performance and financial losses. The channel went off the air at 11:59 p.m. Spanish time on 28 December 2010. Its digital-terrestrial television position was replaced by Gran Hermano 24 horas, a channel devoted to continuous coverage of the Spanish Big Brother franchise. From 1 March 2011, Divinity occupied the position. CNN+ is consequently a defunct Spanish television brand, not the continuing U.S. CNN network or CNN’s broader international operations.

2011
Divinity takes over the digital-terrestrial position
[1]CNN+ (TV network)en.wikipedia.org
From 1 March, Divinity occupies the digital-terrestrial television position previously associated with CNN+.
2010
CNN+ closes
[1]CNN+ (TV network)en.wikipedia.org
CNN+ ends transmission at 11:59 p.m. on 28 December after low ratings and financial losses.
2009
Sogecable channels merge into Gestevisión Telecinco
[1]CNN+ (TV network)en.wikipedia.org
On 18 December, Sogecable’s channels merge into Gestevisión Telecinco, changing the surrounding Spanish television ownership structure.
2008
Competition increases in 24-hour news
[1]CNN+ (TV network)en.wikipedia.org
Intereconomía TV and TVE 24h are among the competing Spanish information channels, while CNN+ is no longer the audience leader in its segment.
1999
CNN+ launches in Spain
[1]CNN+ (TV network)en.wikipedia.org
Sogecable and Turner Broadcasting System launch CNN+ as a Spanish 24-hour television news channel.

Products and positioning

Spanish-language 24-hour general-news television channel

Television news channel · 1999
CNN+ television channel
A Spanish 24-hour television channel offering rolling general-interest news and information programming. It was launched in 1999 by Sogecable and Turner Broadcasting System and operated until its closure in December 2010.
Digital terrestrial television
CNN+ digital-terrestrial service
The channel’s presence on Spain’s digital-terrestrial television platform. Following CNN+’s closure, the position was used by Gran Hermano 24 horas and later by Divinity.

Controversies

2026
DOJ opens Sherman Act antitrust investigation into five TV networks over suspended White House pool coverage
The U.S. Justice Department's Antitrust Division is investigating whether ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News violated the Sherman Act when they coordinated to briefly suspend pooled White House coverage of President Donald Trump after the Trump administration barred CNN from White House grounds. Justice Department officials contacted the five networks on Friday, asking them to provide communications and other materials related to the White House television pool, and the department publicly acknowledged the Sherman Act inquiry on Saturday. The DOJ says it is examining whether the networks' actions amount to an unlawful group boycott; no determination has been made.
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2026
Azerbaijan sues CNN over report on alleged cooperation with Israel in Iran war
The Republic of Azerbaijan filed a lawsuit in Delaware against CNN, Inc. over a June 5, 2026 CNN report titled "Exclusive: Israel sent troops to Azerbaijan during Iran war, sources say." According to Azerbaijan, the report falsely claimed that it allowed Israel to use its territory to launch attacks against Iran and caused reputational harm. The legal action concerns the disputed allegations in the CNN report.
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2026
Steven Crowder files trademark lawsuit against CNN and Jubilee
Steven Crowder filed a trademark lawsuit against CNN and Jubilee concerning their use of "Change My Mind" in a James Talarico town hall. The dispute centers on the phrase as used in that town hall program. The filing names both CNN and Jubilee as defendants. No further details on the claims, the relief sought, or the outcome of the case are provided in the available source material.
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2021
Flynn family members sue CNN over QAnon report
Two family members of Michael Flynn sued CNN, alleging that its report connecting them to the QAnon movement constituted defamation. The plaintiffs seek $75 million; the allegations are claims in the lawsuit, not a court finding.
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2020
CNN settles Covington students' lawsuit
CNN reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by Covington Catholic schoolboys. According to the source, the settlement amount was undisclosed. The source reports the settlement without stating further terms, and no additional details about the parties, the claims, or the outcome beyond the undisclosed settlement are provided.
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2020
Des Moines Register and CNN withhold Iowa Poll release
The Des Moines Register and CNN decided not to release their Iowa Poll after a potential error was brought to their attention. After looking into the issue, the partners said they could not guarantee the results had not been compromised.
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2020
Trump campaign sues CNN over opinion piece
Donald Trump’s re-election campaign filed a libel lawsuit against CNN over an opinion piece about the campaign and alleged Russian assistance. The lawsuit alleges CNN published the article despite statements disavowing an intention to seek Russian assistance.
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2020
CNN faces backlash over debate questioning
CNN faced criticism from journalists over moderator Abby Phillip's questioning in the Sanders–Warren debate exchange, including criticism that the questioning treated Warren's account as fact while Sanders denied it.
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2019
Trump campaign accuses CNN of misrepresentation
In October 2019, the Trump campaign accused CNN of misrepresenting itself to the public and advertisers, and said it intended to pursue legal action. The campaign's claims are allegations and do not constitute a court finding. No ruling, settlement, or other outcome is recorded in the available event information.
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2019
Devin Nunes files defamation suit against CNN
Representative Devin Nunes filed a $435 million defamation lawsuit against CNN over a story alleging that he met with a fired Ukrainian prosecutor to seek information damaging to Joe Biden. The article reports the filing and does not establish the truth or falsity of the underlying allegations.
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Brand decisions

2010
Decision to close CNN+Other
Background
The channel faced low ratings, competition from other 24-hour information services and financial losses.
Action taken
Management announced the termination of the service, which stopped broadcasting on 28 December 2010.
Aftermath
Gran Hermano 24 horas initially used the digital-terrestrial position, followed by Divinity from 1 March 2011.
Source

Recent events

2010
CNN+ announces closure after low ratings and financial losses[1]CNN+ (TV network)en.wikipedia.org
Bankruptcy · Other
Management announced that the Spanish 24-hour news channel would close after struggling with low audience ratings and financial losses.
2010
CNN+ ends broadcasting in Spain[1]CNN+ (TV network)en.wikipedia.org
Other
CNN+ ceased broadcasting at 11:59 p.m. Spanish time on 28 December 2010.
2010
CNN+ replaced on digital terrestrial television[1]CNN+ (TV network)en.wikipedia.org
Other
After the shutdown, the digital-terrestrial television slot was used by Gran Hermano 24 horas and later by Divinity.

Sources87 sources

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