Exclusive: CNN strikes prediction data partnership with Kalshi
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CNN has struck a partnership with Kalshi, the world's largest global prediction market company, bringing Kalshi's data to its journalism across its television, digital and social channels, executives tell Axios.
Why it matters: The collaboration marks the first major news partnership for Kalshi, as it looks to establish itself as the most authoritative source of information about the real-time probabilities of major cultural and political future events, CEO and co-founder Tarek Mansour tells Axios.
- Traditionally, Mansour notes, newsrooms have focused on explaining what has already happened or what's happening in the present.
- Now, with access to Kalshi's prediction data, Mansour believes CNN — and in the future, other newsrooms and journalists — can help audiences interpret what may happen more accurately in the future.
Zoom in: As part of the partnership, CNN will get access to Kalshi's data through an API, or backend interface, that automatically updates in real time.
- That data will be featured on CNN's air through a real-time data ticker and can be referenced across CNN's platforms when journalists discuss news predictions.
- The partnership will include prediction market content related to politics, news, culture and weather.
- The integration will be championed by CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten, who will tap into real-time insights from Kalshi in his reporting on air, both via linear TV and CNN's new streaming subscription service.
- Enten and other CNN journalists will also have access to the data for analysis and fact-checking across CNN's channels, including digital and social stories.
How it works: Unlike other newsroom collaborations with prediction markets, CNN will not be paying to license Kalshi's data, per Mansour.
- But the partnership is exclusive, meaning CNN will not be working with any other prediction market data providers.
- "CNN is renowned for accurate, fact-based journalism and analysis that helps audiences understand what's happening," says CNN SVP of strategic partnerships and business development Sam Felix.
- "By partnering with Kalshi to showcase prediction market data in our programming, CNN journalists will have a fresh, data-based angle from which to explore and better understand the world around us," she adds.
Zoom out: More newsrooms are inking prediction market deals as a way to expand their audiences and earn licensing revenue.
- Yahoo Finance debuted a new integration with Polymarket, a major prediction market company, last month.
- Sports Illustrated and Time both launched prediction market data deals with Galactic this year.
The big picture: The CNN deal marks a new milestone for Kalshi, which has seen its popularity explode in recent months.
- The company on Tuesday confirmed that it has raised $1 billion at an $11 billion valuation, its third capital raise this year.
- Mansour says the company is eyeing more newsroom partnerships as it looks to continue establishing itself as the most accurate and trusted predictions market in the world.
Disclosure: The author is a paid contributor to CNN.
