Editorial illustration for CNN App Launches 'Shorts' Tab for Quick News Video Consumption
CNN's New 'Shorts' Tab Revolutionizes Mobile News Viewing
CNN app introduces new ‘Shorts’ tab for bite-size news videos
News consumption is changing, and CNN wants to meet viewers where they are: scrolling on their phones. The network's latest app update targets younger audiences by introducing a dedicated "Shorts" tab, betting on ultra-brief vertical videos to capture fleeting digital attention spans.
Mobile users have grown accustomed to bite-sized content that delivers information quickly and visually. CNN's move signals a strategic pivot to compete with social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where short-form video has become the preferred news delivery method for Gen Z and millennial viewers.
The new feature aims to transform how people consume breaking news and current events. By prioritizing these compact video clips directly on the homepage, CNN is making a bold bet that brevity can drive engagement in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
The new tab will offer a stream of short-form videos with stories from CNN. The CNN app already had a section for short-form videos in its "Watch" tab, but now the network's putting the clips front and center on the homepage. In addition to showing all recently published vertical videos, the new Shorts feed will also include clips made exclusively for the stream.
The change comes as part of CNN's efforts to revitalize its business amid declining viewership and a deteriorating linear TV landscape. After making the move to paywall some of its articles, CNN launched its second attempt at a streaming service just last month.
CNN's latest app update signals a strategic pivot toward bite-sized content consumption. The network's new 'Shorts' tab represents a direct response to changing viewer habits, prioritizing quick, vertical video news clips.
This move isn't just cosmetic. By centralizing short-form content on the homepage, CNN is betting on a format that younger audiences increasingly prefer.
The refresh comes at a critical moment for the network. Facing declining viewership and challenges in traditional linear TV, these short videos could help CNN reconnect with digital-first news consumers.
Notably, the Shorts tab won't just recycle existing content. CNN plans to create exclusive clips specifically for this stream, suggesting a nuanced approach to short-form storytelling.
Will it work? The strategy feels like a calculated gamble. By making vertical videos more prominent, CNN is adapting to how people increasingly consume news: quickly, visually, and on mobile devices.
The network's willingness to experiment might just be its most interesting storyline right now.
Further Reading
- Scroll the headlines on Shorts - App Store - Apple - Apple App Store
- Liquid Glass showcase: CNN - Meet With Apple - Videos - Apple Developer
Related Reading
LLMs & Generative AI Ant Group unveils Ring-1T, first open-source trillion-parameter reasoning model
LLMs & Generative AI ChatGPT Health Event Shows AI Modernizing Dev Workflows, GitLab Unveils Plans
LLMs & Generative AI Gen AI app sessions up fivefold, downloads jump 778% as ChatGPT leads traffic
From Archives Amazon’s ‘House of David’ used 350+ AI shots in season 2, creator unapologetic
From Archives LLMOps Guide Shows How Vector Store Becomes Model's Local Memory
Common Questions Answered
How will CNN's new 'Shorts' tab change mobile news consumption?
The new Shorts tab provides a dedicated space for vertical, bite-sized video news content directly on the app's homepage. By prioritizing ultra-brief videos, CNN aims to capture the attention of younger mobile users who prefer quick, visually engaging news formats.
What makes CNN's Shorts tab different from its previous short-form video offerings?
Unlike the previous short-form videos tucked within the 'Watch' tab, the new Shorts tab brings these clips to the forefront of the app's homepage. The feature will not only showcase recently published vertical videos but also include clips created exclusively for this new streaming format.
Why is CNN investing in short-form video content through its app?
CNN is responding to changing viewer habits, particularly among younger audiences who prefer quick, visual news consumption on mobile platforms. This strategic pivot is part of the network's efforts to remain relevant and competitive in a media landscape increasingly dominated by social media-style content delivery.