CNN+

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.

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.

1. 2011Divinity takes over the digital-terrestrial position

   From 1 March, Divinity occupies the digital-terrestrial television position previously associated with CNN+.

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2. 2010CNN+ closes

   CNN+ ends transmission at 11:59 p.m. on 28 December after low ratings and financial losses.

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3. 2009Sogecable channels merge into Gestevisión Telecinco

   On 18 December, Sogecable’s channels merge into Gestevisión Telecinco, changing the surrounding Spanish television ownership structure.

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4. 2008Competition increases in 24-hour news

   Intereconomía TV and TVE 24h are among the competing Spanish information channels, while CNN+ is no longer the audience leader in its segment.

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5. 1999CNN+ launches in Spain

   Sogecable and Turner Broadcasting System launch CNN+ as a Spanish 24-hour television news channel.

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Spanish-language 24-hour general-news television channel

• CNN+ television channelTelevision news channel1999

  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.

• CNN+ digital-terrestrial serviceDigital terrestrial television

  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.

• 2010Decision to close CNN+Other

  The channel faced low ratings, competition from other 24-hour information services and financial losses.

  What changed. 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.

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• 2010CNN+ announces closure after low ratings and financial losses

  Management announced that the Spanish 24-hour news channel would close after struggling with low audience ratings and financial losses.

  BankruptcyOther
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• 2010CNN+ ends broadcasting in Spain

  CNN+ ceased broadcasting at 11:59 p.m. Spanish time on 28 December 2010.

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• 2010CNN+ replaced on digital terrestrial television

  After the shutdown, the digital-terrestrial television slot was used by Gran Hermano 24 horas and later by Divinity.

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1. CNN+ (TV network)