CNN said it would "put the first bricks in a so-called paywall" by requiring "some" readers to pay $3.99 a month to access content posted on its website.
"Starting today, we're asking people in the United States to pay a small recurring fee for unlimited access to CNN.com's world-class coverage," Alex MacCallum, CNN's executive vice president of digital products and services, said in a CNN statement.
CNN said that for now, regular readers visiting the CNN website will not be prompted to pay. MacCallum noted that users will only be prompted to register after accessing “a certain number” of free articles.
CNN premium subscribers will get access to exclusive election content, original documentaries, curated stories and fewer ads.
Also on October 1, Reuters announced the launch of digital subscriptions to its website and mobile apps starting in early October.
The plan will affect Reuters readers globally and cost $1 a week. Reuters said its pricing plan is “simple and transparent.” The UK-based news agency also confirmed there will be no “launch incentives or surprise price increases.”
"This new subscription package ensures Reuters can expand its coverage at an affordable price, while also allowing us to invest further in our newsletters and products for subscribers," said Reuters President Paul Bascobert.
According to Reuters, users will be able to access a “limited number” of articles for free before being asked to subscribe. Reuters’ paid program will first launch in Canada, followed by some European countries and the United States.
Over the past decade, some news organizations have moved to paywalled or subscription-based funding models to cover costs.
The announcement by CNN and Reuters about adopting a fee-based model on their websites comes less than 40 days before the 2024 US presidential election.
