CNN app introduces new ‘Shorts’ tab for bite‑size news videos
When I opened the CNN app yesterday, the first thing I noticed was a brand-new “Shorts” button right on the home screen. The app already had a “Watch” section where vertical videos live, but those clips were kind of hidden behind a larger menu. It looks like CNN is trying to put those bite-size stories front and center, probably because more people are scrolling for quick updates instead of long articles.
By pulling the short videos out of a side tab and giving them their own spot, the network seems to be betting on immediacy - the idea that you’ll watch a 30-second clip before you even think about the full news feed. It also means you don’t have to dig through several pages to find the latest vertical videos; everything is in one place now. In short, the layout is being reshaped so short-form news gets a front-row seat, which could tip the balance toward quick bites over deeper reporting.
The new tab will stream short-form videos straight from CNN. The app already had a “Watch” tab for these clips, but now the network is putting them front and center on the homepage. Besides showing all the recently published vertical videos, the new Shorts section should make it easier to grab a quick story without hunting around.
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.
It looks like CNN is betting that users will treat the new tab as a mini-social feed. The app now pulls short clips out of the old “Watch” area and puts them on a “Shorts” page right on the home screen, so vertical videos sit front-and-center and you can swipe through them much like TikTok or Instagram Reels. The move reshapes the layout, but there’s no public data showing how many people will actually watch those snippets.
All existing short-form pieces stay in the system, just under the new label, and the feed automatically shows any vertical video published recently. Whether this placement will lift overall viewership or simply mirror what other platforms are doing is still up in the air. CNN hasn’t released any test results or metrics that would hint at audience reaction.
In short, the app now feels a lot like the short-video experiences we’re used to, yet it’s hard to say if that will change how people consume news from CNN.
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Common Questions Answered
What is the purpose of the new "Shorts" tab in the CNN app?
The new Shorts tab is designed to showcase short-form, vertical videos directly on the app's home screen, moving them from the background "Watch" section. This placement aims to cater to users who prefer quick, bite‑size news stories and to boost engagement as part of CNN's business revitalization efforts.
How does the Shorts feed differ from the existing content in the "Watch" tab?
While the Watch tab already featured short-form videos, the Shorts feed not only aggregates all recently published vertical clips but also includes exclusive videos created specifically for the Shorts stream. This dedicated space gives the content a more prominent, TikTok‑style presentation on the homepage.
Why is CNN moving short clips to a dedicated "Shorts" page instead of keeping them in the peripheral "Watch" section?
CNN believes that placing short clips front and center will better align with the growing habit of scrolling through quick video feeds, similar to Instagram Reels or TikTok. The shift is intended to attract viewers amid declining viewership and to help revitalize the network's digital business model.
Will the introduction of the Shorts tab affect how users interact with the CNN app's overall interface?
Yes, the Shorts tab changes the app's navigation by giving vertical videos a primary spot on the home screen, encouraging users to swipe through stories like a social feed. However, the article notes that there is currently no data on how many users will actually engage with this new format.