CNN Projects $600 Million in Profit for 2026, Down From $1B in 2016

CNN’s Financial Contribution to Warner Bros. Discovery Expected to Grow

CNN continues to play a significant role in the financial success of Warner Bros. Discovery’s linear TV business. The company anticipates that the revenue generated by the news network will contribute to the growth of overall revenue in the next five years. This growth is expected to come from CNN’s direct-to-consumer streaming business, which is projected to offset any decline in traditional TV advertising dollars.

However, despite its importance, CNN’s financial performance has seen a decline in recent years. In 2026, the network is forecasted to have an adjusted operating profit of approximately $600 million, as reported in an SEC filing by Warner Bros. Discovery. This is a significant drop from a decade ago when CNN was on track to generate close to $1 billion in gross profit, as noted by the Washington Post.

Warner Bros. Discovery does not provide specific financial details for CNN, but it recently disclosed revenue and profit projections for the network and its other businesses for the years 2026-2030. These projections were included in a proxy statement related to the company’s sale of Warner Bros.’ film and TV studios, HBO, and HBO Max to Netflix in an all-cash deal.

Although the financial forecast for CNN was not originally intended for public disclosure, it was shared with potential counterparties, including Netflix, during the due diligence process. The completion of the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal is subject to approval by U.S. regulators, with former President Donald Trump expressing interest in being involved in the decision-making process.

In a press briefing last December, Trump suggested that CNN should be sold as part of any deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery. He criticized the current management of CNN, labeling them as “corrupt or incompetent,” and stated that he did not want them to benefit financially from the sale of the network.