In the digital world, news apps have become significant tools for staying informed. As a result, demand for news apps on the go is growing rapidly. According to my research, the Global Digital Newspaper and magazine Market was estimated to be worth USD 35.21 billion in 2022. The market is anticipated to grow at a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.32% through 2028 during the forecast period.
Hence, it depicts lucrative business opportunities for entrepreneurs to capitalize on the development of news apps. With the growing number of smartphone users worldwide, they are investing in news app development has led to significant returns.
So, if you also want to develop an app like CNN News, this blog is for you. It will provide significant information and help you develop a news app successfully.
Quick Summary: Learn how to create a breaking news app like CNN with this comprehensive guide. It will guide you through a more straightforward CNN app development process, key features, cost required, and benefits. The blog will also cover top news apps, ways to earn money, and the tech stack used in app development. So, without a further second, let’s start!
What is CNN?
CNN stands for Cable News network that delivers real-tiem news and updates from across the world. The app developed with expertise in iOS and Android app development services, provides access to various news categories, including world news, politics, entertainment, technology, and business.
CNN features breaking news alerts, live video streaming, and personalized content based on user preferences. With the app, users can read articles and on-demand videos and get updates from CNN’s extensive network of journalists.
CNN aims to provide a user-friendly and comprehensive platform for staying informed about current events and in-depth news coverage.
Market Analysis of News and Magazines App
Digital Newspapers & Magazines – Worldwide
- Global revenue from digital newspapers and magazines is expected to reach US$40.23 billion by 2024.
- The market is expected to reach US$44.54 billion by 2029, with revenue expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.06% from 2024 to 2029.
- It is anticipated that there will be 1.6 billion consumers in the Digital Newspapers & Magazines market by 2029.
- The estimated user penetration rate is 17.7% in 2024 and is expected to rise to 20.4% by 2029.
- The average revenue per user (ARPU) is anticipated to be US$29.27.
- The market for news and magazines is projected to produce total sales of US$9.15 billion by 2022.
- With a predicted value of US$17.62 billion by 2027, the market is expected to have developed at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.59% for total revenue.
- By 2022, it is anticipated that the News & Magazines market will bring in US$691.40 million from in-app purchases (IAPs).
Top 5 News Apps
If you want to develop an app like CNN, you must examine the alternatives to understand market trends and identify unique selling points. This knowledge will help you create an app that stands out in the competitive market while meeting user’s needs.
- BBC
- USA Today
- Inshorts
- Google News
- The New York Times
1. BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) app is a well-known news app that delivers news stories from around the world, reported by trusted journalists. An app like BBC News is focused on bringing users the latest events with in-depth reporting so they can understand thecomplex issues.
2. USA Today
USA Today is an American news app that offers articles, headlines, and videos on various topics. The sports section keeps users up-to-date on the latest games and scores. The app also includes weather forecasts and updates, helping users stay informed about weather conditions.
3. Inshorts
It’s a good choice for people who want to quickly catch up on the news. An app Like Inshorts keeps things sweet and short by summarizing significant stories in a maximum of 60 words. Users can also choose the topic they are interested in, so they only see the news that matters to them.
4. Google News
It’s a news aggregator that measures the app, collects stories from different sources, and shows them to users in one place. Users can customize their news feeds to include their favorite news outlets and topics. On Google News, users get different perspectives on a specific story.
5. The New York Times
The app is known for its reporting and investigative journalism. It provides access to all its articles and exclusive content like videos and podcasts. With the app, users can get a free trial and then have paid subscription options.
How Do News Apps Like CNN Work?
News apps are like digital newspapers that deliver the news to the user’s mobile device. The apps collect stories from different sources, including websites and blogs that cover the topic. While some focus on specific publishers, others collect content from various sources.
The best news apps can customize users’ feeds according to their regions or hobbies and alter them to include breaking news. Additionally, users can save the content for offline reading and share them with friends via social media platforms. Apps like CNN News provide a comprehensive and convenient source to stay up-to-date and informed on current events.
Benefits of Developing the News Apps
Nowadays, people want to stay informed. Hence, a well-designed news app can be a game changer for your business, directly offering relevant information to your target audience. If you want to know more about how news portal app development can be beneficial for your business, look at some of the compelling reasons:
- Boost Brand Awareness
- Monetization Opportunities
- Valuable Data Collection
- Reach a Big Audience.
- Competitive Advantage
1. Boost Brand Awareness
A well-designed news app regularly brings your business’s name to the user’s attention. It will help you position yourself as one of the thought leaders in the industry by publishing entertaining or informative content related to your industry.
2. Monetization Opportunities
News application development presents opportunities to earn extra revenue through monetization strategies. You can adapt different app monetization strategies, such as subscription to premium content, in-app advertising, in-app marketing, and many more.
3. Valuable Data Collection
With a mobile app, you can gain insights into the potential user’s behavior and content preferences. This information can later be used to enhance the overall quality of your app experience. It also helps refine marketing strategies, attracting more users.
4. Reach a Big Audience.
Mobile applications, currently the most popular digital platforms, are ideal for the success of your news app. If you build a news website or app, you can place itself directly in the customer’s hand, increasing your reach beyond geographical locations.
5. Competitive Advantage
Nowadays, having an online presence is critical to gaining a competitive advantage. If you develop an app like CNN, it demonstrates that your business is tech-savvy and committed to client involvement. Hence, it could provide you with a competitive advantage over other businesses in the same field.
Mohti Narang (Project Manager)
As a mobile app developer, I have worked on news apps, developing a platform that delivers up-to-date news and information to users in real-time. The app offers a curated selection of news articles, videos, and headlines from trusted sources, allowing users to stay informed on the latest events and developments worldwide.
Developing a news app has been an exciting opportunity to create a digital space where users cna stay informed, educated, and engaged with current events.
Key Steps to Develop An App Like CNN
Now that you have learned what exactly CNN is, how it works, and how it’s beneficial, let’s address the most important question of the blog- how to develop an app like CNN. Well, the development process of a news and magazine app is quite complex. Moreover, this blog has made the development process easy with the straightforward and critical steps mentioned below:
- Conduct Market Research
- Choose the Best Tech Stack
- Craft an Intuitive UI/UX
- Develop the App
- Testing and Quality Assurance
- Launching and Marketing
- Provide Continuous Support and Upgrades
1. Conduct Market Research
Before CNN mobile app development, conduct market research to identify your target customers and the industry. Analyze the audience’s needs, behavior, preferences, and news consumption habits. Also, analyze the existing news app to evaluate the potential GPAs in the market. Hence, the research will help you understand the app’s core functionalities and content focus so that you can develop your app accordingly.
2. Choose the Best Tech Stack
When choosing a tech stack, you have two main options: go for a native or custom news app development process or build a news app without Coding. As per the Android or iPhone app development company, custom app development requires high-end coding, lifelong maintenance, and support. On the other hand, a no-coding app does not require coding knowledge and is budget-friendly.
3. Craft an Intuitive UI/UX
Now, start the work on your app design to ensure your app is intuitive to use, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. To create an app like CNN news, consider building a constant designing language, choosing fonts, selecting color schemes, and designing the app’s visual elements, such as images, buttons, and icons.
4. Develop the App
Here, you can get help from a mobile application development company to bring the app to life. Also, be sure that your app adds features like personalized content recommendations, breaking news alerts, reading options, and live streaming capability to facilitate a comprehensive news experience.
5. Testing and Quality Assurance
It’s the most critical stage of a news app development process. Here, you need to focus on through testing and optimization, ensuring your app is error-free. The mobile application goes through different testing processes, including compatibility, testing, performance testing, and functional testing. It guarantees the app’s security, reliability, and responsiveness across different platforms and devices.
6. Launching and Marketing
Now, it’s time to release the app on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, making it accessible to the target audience. Further, develop a marketing strategy to target your identified audience and leverage different social media channels to create buzz and attract users. You can also leverage the influencer market and strategic partnerships so that more people come to know about your offering.
7. Provide Continuous Support and Upgrades
As you know, the news landscape is dynamic. You need to provide continuous support by fixing bugs and addressing user feedback. Regularly update your news application with new features and ensure compatibility with the latest operating systems. You must stay informed about users’ changing behavior and news consumption trends to keep your app engaging and relevant in the long run.
Must-have Features of a News App
Do you want your news app to enjoy more popularity than others? Well, an app’s success depends on the features it provides to users. If the app has outdated features, it will lose its users. So, if you want to keep your app competitive, ensure to add unique features in your app. If you are not aware of the unique news app features, look here:
Features | Descriptions |
Personalized Content Feed | Develop an app like CNN News that offers a personalized content fee so that users can choose their interests, sources, and topics. |
Search Option | Ensure your app lets users quickly search for specific topics, news stories, or keywords to find relevant articles. |
Source Transparency | Create a mobile app that indicates the source of all articles, allowing users to make informed decisions about the content they are reading. |
Categorization | Your app must categorize news into business, politics, health, entertainment, technology, sports, and more so users can easily navigate content based on their interests. |
Special Media Sharing | Make an app like CNN News that allows users to share articles via messaging apps, emails, and other social media platforms. |
Trending Stories | In your news app, a section should be dedicated to trending topics and stories that give users an overview of what is currently popular. |
Offline Reading Options | Some users prefer to save articles for offline reading. This provides a seamless user experience to users who read articles without an internet connection. |
Multiple Language Options | Offer content in multiple languages to reach a global audience. This enables users to view news in their preferred language, which increases accessibility. |
Readability Options | Develop an app like CNN News that allows users to adjust their comfort with features like night mode, font size adjustments, and text-to-speech to cater to individuals’ reading preferences. |
Feedback and Accessibility | Easy-to-use feedback mechanisms allow users to suggest improvements and report issues, while accessibility features ensure users can use the app effectively. |
Cost Analysis to Develop An App Like CNN
It’s not easy to determine the exact cost to develop an app like CNN News as it depends on different factors such as the app’s design, features, functionalities, and mobile app development team. However, for a rough estimation, the cost to develop a mobile app like CNN News can range from $8000 to $27000. Moreover, if you want to offer something different to users with your app, it will increase the complexity of app development. Hence, the CNN clone app development cost can fluctuate, as mentioned in the table below:
Cost to Develop An App Like CNN
Instant News App Development | Estimated Cost | Time Frame |
Simple Instant News App Development | $8000 – $13000 | 3 to 6 Months |
Medium-Complex Instant News App Development
| $13000 – $21000 | 6 to 9 Months |
High-Complex Instant News App Development | $27000+ | 10+ Months |
Besides the CNN app development cost, it’s also essential to consider its maintenance cost. These expenses can add up over time and must be factored into the entertainment app development costs. The app’s maintenance cost is nearly 15 to 20% of the overall news app development cost.
Monetization Models For News Apps
One primary goal to develop an app like CNN is revenue generation. If you also want to maximize your profit with your news apps in USA, it’s critical to implement effective app monetization strategies. If you are not aware of those strategies, consider the following monetization techniques:
- Subscription
- Advertisement
- In-App Purchase
- Influencer Marketing
- Campaign for Sponsors
1. Subscription
It’s one of the popular app monetization models, offering a free tier with basic access; however, it offers premium content like in-depth analysis of exclusive interviews. The subscription model helps news businesses reduce their dependence on ad revenue by maintaining editorial independence. The model is steady to earn but works for the long run.
2. Advertisement
This standard monetization model provides users with free content while generating revenue. Revenue is generated through clicks or impressions. In-app ads are available in many formats, including banner ads, in-app video ads, and interstitial ads. The key is to strike a balanced ad to earn income. So that the user’s experience do not get disrupted.
3. In-App Purchase
App monetization takes several forms—a premium system feature and a new free user experience like a reward. The strategy provides premium features to users for free. For instance, an application might have a free version with limited article downloads but allow users to purchase additional downloads for offline reading. A mobile app development services provider can help tailor the in-app purchase options to fit your business needs.
4. Influencer Marketing
News applications can leverage influencer marketing to boost marketing by collaborating with influential figures to promote their content. Influencers can increase traffic, expand reach, and enhance credibility. Sponsored posts, content collaboration, and affiliate marketing can create a revenue stream, attracting advertisers and subscribers to the news platform.
5. Campaign for Sponsors
This strategy offers sponsored content or manages advertising campaigns on the sponsor’s behalf. A news app with an active and sizable user base that appeals to the market can be profitable. However, news apps must be careful to keep their editorials independent and not compromise the quality and integrity of their content.
Tech Stack for Instant News App Development
Component | Technologies |
Frontend | React Native, Flutter, Swift, Kotlin |
Backend | Node.js, Java (Spring Boot) Python (Django/Flask), |
API Integration | GraphQL, RESTful APIs, SOAP |
Database | SQLite, PostgreSQL,MySQL, MongoDB, Firebase |
Analytics | Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics |
Authentication | OAuth, JWT |
Push Notifications | Apple Push Notification Service, Firebase Cloud Messaging |
Version Control | Git, GitHub, Bitbucket |
Deployment | Apple App Store, Google Play Store, TestFlight, Firebase App Distribution |
Wrapping Up!
As demand for instant news updates continues to rise, investing in news app development brings a promising opportunity for investors. With smartphone usage at an all-time high, the potential for profitability is substantial. By leveraging the right features and strategies, CNN app development company can attract a large user base and generate significant revenue.
So, if you want to develop an app like CNN News, it would be better for you to get assistance from a CNN news app development company. We at Dev Technosys have years of experience in on demand app development solutions for our clients across the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How Much Does It Cost to Develop An App Like CNN?
The cost to build an app like CNN News can be different as it depends on numerous factors, such as app development types, features, development platforms, and many more. Hence, a simple app with basic features will cost around $8000, whereas a feature-rich app will cost up to $27000.
Q2. How Long Does It Take to Develop An App Like CNN?
The time to develop a news app like CNN depends on its features and complexity. A basic news app takes approximately 3 to 7 months, while more advanced and commercial apps require an extended development period that could be 1 year.
Q3. Is Using Content From Another News Source On My App Legal?
Proper licensing and permission may be required if you have content from another source. If you develop news platforms like CNN or WSJ App, you must adhere to copyright laws and establish an agreement with the original content providers to legal issues.
Q4. What Are Some Legal Considerations For News Apps?
Here is a list of legal considerations for news apps:
- Intellectual property
- User data privacy
- App store guidelines
- Copyright infringement
Q5. How Can I Keep My App Up-To-Date And Engaging?
You can keep your app up-to-date and engaging with the following strategies:
- Fresh content
- App updates
- Personalization
- User interaction
- Content variety.