Exclusive: CNN strikes prediction data partnership with Kalshi

CNN has stuck 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.