iWorld
CNN announces streaming service CNN+, set to launch in early 2022
New Delhi: As news media companies look for ways to survive and thrive in a fiercely aggressive digital market, the latest TV network to enter the crowded market of streaming news is AT&T’s CNN. The US-based Cable News Service (CNN) has announced its new venture CNN Plus – a streaming platform which will exist alongside its existing linear TV networks.
According to the announcement, the subscription-based streaming service will feature eight to twelve hours of live programming daily. The network has already begun developing dozens of programs and hiring the requisite employees as part of an urgent bid to keep up with changing consumer demands amid cord-cutting trends across the US.
CNN+ is the start of a new era of the company, said WarnerMedia News and Sports chairman and CNN Worldwide president, Jeff Zucker on Monday. “CNN invented cable news in 1980, defined online news in 1995 and now is taking an important step in expanding what news can be by launching a direct-to-consumer streaming subscription service in 2022,” he said in a statement.
Terming it as “the most important launch for CNN” since the launch of the network in June, 1980, chief digital officer Andrew Morse said CNN+ will be launched in the US in the first quarter of 2022 and roll out in other countries later.
Apart from at least eight hours of live programming which the company says, will be different from “what CNN produces on TV”, the new service will have original series, and interactive programming, that will allow subscribers to engage directly with talent and experts about the issues that matter most to them.
The company is yet to disclose how much it will cost consumers.
With around 4,000 employees, CNN has one of the largest news operations in the world. It is hiring about 450 people for CNN+, from producers to engineers to marketers, said Morse on Monday. “The sizable number of job openings is a reflection of CNN parent WarnerMedia’s investment in the product on the heels of the HBO Max streaming service launch in 2020,” he added.
Gaming
Roblox appoints Sunil Rao as India managing director to drive growth
Former AWS leader to lead creator ecosystem, partnerships and local strategy
MUMBAI: Roblox has appointed Sunil Rao as managing director for India, as the company looks to deepen its footprint in one of its fastest-growing markets.
Rao, who will join in May, will serve as the senior-most representative for Roblox in India, leading local strategy, partnerships and day-to-day operations. His mandate includes strengthening the platform’s presence, supporting the creator ecosystem and aligning India’s market needs with global priorities.
A key focus area will be nurturing India’s growing community of developers and creators, enabling local studios to leverage Roblox’s tools for scaling and monetisation. Globally, the platform’s creator community earned over $1.5 billion in 2025, underlining the economic potential of user-generated content ecosystems.
“Roblox is at the forefront of enabling a new generation of creators and games. India’s scale, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy present a massive opportunity,” said Rao. “I’m excited to build a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem that empowers developers and creators across the country. Ensuring child safety and aligning closely with India’s regulatory framework will be among my top priorities.”
Welcoming the appointment, Roblox vice president international Zhen Fang said India represents a high-potential market for the company. “Sunil brings deep expertise in building operations across diverse markets, and his passion for community-centric platforms makes him the ideal leader to drive our next chapter of growth in the country.”
Rao brings over two decades of experience across technology platforms, venture capital and developer ecosystems. He was previously part of the leadership team at Amazon Web Services, where he led strategy and corporate business development across Asia-Pacific and Japan. He also served as a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, working closely with startups and founders.
Earlier in his career, Rao played a key role in building developer ecosystems at Symbian, Nokia and Google, contributing to the growth of major mobile and internet platforms.
With India’s large youth population and rapidly evolving digital landscape, Roblox’s latest leadership move signals a sharper focus on long-term growth, local relevance and creator-led innovation in the market.
