Comcast’s financial news and consumer business network CNBC is planning to launch a standalone streaming channel early next year, according to a trade publication report on Wednesday.
The report, from Variety, said the streaming outlet will be called CNBC Plus and include simulcasts of live TV programming from CNBC’s channels in the United States, Asia-Pacific and Europe.
CNBC already offers streaming access to some of its U.S. and international programming via CNBC Pro, a $35 per month or $300 per year service targeted at financial professionals that also includes access to real-time market data and analysis and some ancillary perks.
As described, CNBC Plus will offer none of those additional features, and will stick exclusively to television programs, all of which are already carried on cable TV. Promotional images obtained by The Desk reveal CNBC programming will be wrapped in an “L-bar” style presentation, with real-time financial market data and headlines prominently displayed. The presentation style resembles that of Bloomberg TV Plus, a rival financial news channel that is available on free streaming platforms like Pluto TV, Xumo Play and Samsung TV Plus.
Unlike Bloomberg TV Plus, CNBC Plus won’t be free when it launches: The channel plans to charge $15 per month for access to the streaming channel, though an annual plan will also be offered for $150 per year. A discount will drop the price of the annual plan to $99 for the first year of service, promotional material showed. The channel will be distributed through CNBC’s smartphone, tablet and smart TV apps, and also available on the CNBC website.
Over the past few years, the Walt Disney Company, Lionsgate, AMC Networks and Warner Bros Discovery have integrated channels like ESPN, AMC, Starz and CNN into their streaming services, or announced plans to do so in the near future.
Last month, CNBC said it will spin off CNBC and other NBC-owned cable networks, except Bravo, into a standalone, well-capitalized company. The move is intended to effectuate the sale of the networks — as a whole, or individually — to other companies, or make it easier for the networks to merge with similar media businesses.
In addition to Bravo, Comcast intends to retain ownership of NBC, and says it remains committed to distributing events like the Olympics, even though some matches have historically aired on NBC-owned cable channels, including CNBC.
