CNN’s app is adding a ‘Shorts’ feed for bite-size videos

CNN is revamping its app’s homepage with a feed dedicated to short-form videos. The new “Shorts” tab houses a stream of clips with stories from CNN, allowing you to swipe through them like you would with TikTok or Instagram Reels.

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, CNN spokesperson Courtney Hardin tells The Verge.

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 is also trying to attract a younger audience with the launch of a CNN Creators video series led by former Vice producer Andrew Potter. It even tried hosting a subscriber-only election night “watch party” last week.

You won’t be forced to watch short-form news videos every time you open up CNN’s app, however, as the network is introducing a new “Top News” tab that you’ll land on by default, showing a mix of text-based and video stories. You can swap between the two sections by tapping the tabs at the top of the screen. The short-form videos will be free to watch.