CNN+ will be shut down by Warner Bros. Discovery on April 30, just weeks after it premiered as an independent streaming platform.
CNN+ President Andrew Morse is also departing Warner Bros., according to the firm after a period of transition.
When Morse leaves, CNN Digital will be led by Alex MacCallum, who is presently the general manager and director of products for CNN+.
"We admire all of the effort, vision, and innovation that went into developing CNN+, an organization with fantastic individuals and remarkable content," said Chris Licht, chairman, and CEO of CNN Worldwide, in a statement on Thursday.
"However, an easier streaming alternative will be beneficial for our subscribers and CNN," he said.
Late last month, WarnerMedia introduced the standalone media service. According to reports, in the two weeks following its debut, it had less than 10,000 active daily followers. Customers will be given partial reimbursements on membership costs, according to the business.
Licht, the new CNN chief, has been operating behind the scenes with Warner Bros. execs. Sources aware of the issue disclosed Discovery has been working on a streaming plan for CNN for some weeks.
The sources added that the conclusion to close down CNN+ was based on Licht's suggestion. Licht's first day on the job isn't until May 1.
Warner Bros. hasn't revealed its video content strategies and objectives, but as CNBC has reported, the idea is to merge HBO Max and Discovery+ with other WarnerMedia programs - maybe including live news and sports coverage - and sell the entire package as a Netflix contender.
If the goal is to increase the viewership of the big bundle, allocating funds to CNN+ instead of incorporating that material into the bigger bundle could be counterproductive.
Hundreds of millions of dollars have already been spent on new content and programs for CNN+. An insider said some of the programs will be moved to HBO Max, while others will remain on CNN.com and the free CNN app.
They said some fresh talent may be sent to CNN's linear network, but Licht will finalize such decisions in the following weeks.
In a series of tweets on March 29, exiting WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar declared that CNN+ was "as critical to the purpose of CNN as the conventional channel program has been these last 42 years. It's difficult to exaggerate the significance of this period for CNN."
