WarnerMedia, Comcast announce renewal of carriage agreement for popular basic cable networks, plus first CNN+ distribution deal

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WarnerMedia and Comcast have renewed their carriage agreement to distribute WarnerMedia’s lineup of cable networks including TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, TCM, truTV, HLN and CNN en Español plus on-demand and TVE content to Xfinity TV customers.

In addition, this includes the first distribution agreement for CNN+, which WarnerMedia is launching as a streaming subscription service in first quarter. Comcast plans to make CNN+ available to its Xfinity customers via its Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex, and XClass TV platforms later in 2022.

The multi-year cable network carriage agreement furthers a longstanding distribution relationship between the two companies.

“We’re so pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with Comcast and deliver best-in-class storytelling, essential news and premium sports to millions of customers,” said Scott Miller, executive vice president of business and legal affairs, WarnerMedia in a statement. “It’s an exciting time in our industry as we continue putting consumers at the center of where and how they are informed and entertained. Comcast’s position as both a Pay TV provider and app platform complements our foundational business of linear TV and emerging streaming businesses.”

“WarnerMedia has been a terrific partner through the years, and we are very pleased to provide our Xfinity customers with access to their content across our industry-leading platforms,” said Rebecca Heap, senior vice president, consumer products and propositions, Comcast, in the statement.

WarnerMedia’s portfolio of cable networks includes some of the most popular entertainment, news, sports, kids and young adult programming in the industry. TNT and TBS ended 2021 as the #1 and #2 rated ad-supported cable entertainment networks among adults 18-49, and CNN had its second most-watched year ever in 2021, ending as a top five network in all of cable in all dayparts. Additionally, Turner Sports is an industry leader in the delivery of its premium sports content, including expansive partnerships with the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and, new in 2021, the National Hockey League.

CNN+ will feature original, live, on demand and interactive programming as a standalone direct-to-consumer service with offerings that are separate and distinct from CNN, CNN International, HLN and CNN en Español linear TV channels. At launch, 8-10 hours of live, daily programming offering topical deep dives and lifestyle content will live alongside a full slate of additive and differentiated originals, including the recently announced series, Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico, and a deep library of non-fiction, long form programming such as Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. CNN+ will also feature a thriving community component for fans to connect directly with anchors and experts in real time conversations about the issues that matter most to them.

Xfinity delivers all the best live, on demand and streaming entertainment to customers via its X1 and Flex devices, all accessible and discoverable with the award-winning Xfinity Voice Remote. X1 and Flex customers can access WarnerMedia programming by saying the name of a channel or streaming services in the voice remote, or by saying the name of a desired title from the WarnerMedia channels or streaming services.