CNN has implemented a subtle update to its website header. These alterations, which rolled out in October 2024, involve the removal of the red box surrounding the white CNN logo, as well as the black bar across the top of the page containing key navigational links.
In their place, the bar is now white, utilizing a shadow effect to distinguish it from the rest of the page. The links retain access to crucial parts of the site, while icons have been added to the “watch,” “listen,” and “Live TV” links. The “subscribe” button, introduced following the October 1, 2024, announcement of the network’s $3.99-a-month subscription service, remains red and now enjoys enhanced visibility due to the improved contrast against the white background.
The reversed CNN logo within a red square has been a staple of the CNN website for years, making the shift to a red-on-white aesthetic a noticeable change. CNN has notably been employing red squares at the end of promotional materials to emphasize the accessibility of its content on diverse platforms, including CNN Max. Incorporating the logo into a box lends an icon-like feel, likely contributing to the promotion of non-linear engagement with the brand.
Omitting the red box background does, in a sense, enhance the network’s branding. The logo appears in red against a white backdrop on the network’s domestic feed (reversed on the CNN International feed). It also features prominently in red across many of the network’s other graphics, as well as select on-set logo installations. Overall, the new design also contributes to a slightly more unified navigation experience, although some designers may contend that the black bar provided greater contrast.
The updated navigation bar continues to leverage the network’s proprietary CNN Sans font, seemingly in a slightly bolder weight.