MS NOW To Launch Direct-To-Consumer Subscription Offering In September

MS NOW said that it would launch its direct-to-consumer offering on Sept. 9, a service that will include access to 24/7 live streams, original creative content and engagement options with the network’s journalists.

MS NOW’s Membership, as it is called, will cost $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually. An introductory offering will be available through Sept. 30 for $39.99 for a full year.

The network has said that the subscription service will be different than other offerings, emphasizing community features and interactivity, as well as a new roster of contributors and experts. The network announced in December that the service would include 24/7 access to the linear network.

MS NOW President Rebecca Kutler said in a statement, “Our Membership is the first step in a long-term strategy to deepen our relationship with audiences in ways that build on what they already value about MS NOW, while addressing what consumers told us was missing from the news experience. We will continue to research, test, and refine this experience because we want it to be something that our loyal MS NOW fans genuinely love, as well as something that future fans genuinely need.”

When the network was part of Comcast, certain MSNBC programming was available on Peacock. But that offering ended with the split from the parent company and sister network NBC News. As part of the split, MSNBC rebranded to MS NOW.

Fox News launched a subscription service, Fox Nation, in 2018, and it has grown through the years as a companion to the news network. It features on demand access to shows like Jesse Watters Primetime and Hannity, but also an extensive slate of lifestyle and entertainment programming. It’s priced at $8.99 a month, or $71.49 for one year.

CNN debuted an All Access plan last year, including live coverage streams, on demand original series and documentaries and CNN.com access. It’s priced at $6.99 per month, and $69.99 annually.