Oct 1 (Reuters) - CNN has rolled out a paywall and is

asking some of its users to pay $3.99 a month for access to its

content, the news website said on Tuesday, as it looks to

generate a digital revenue stream.

The move comes at a time when several publications such as

the New York Times ( NYT ) have already launched and seen

success with subscription models that have helped boost

subscriber numbers.

With cable television viewership and revenue dwindling, news

organizations including CNN are looking to cash in on digital

media to offset the decline in TV, which had previously been a

key source of revenue.

"Starting today, we are asking users in the United States to

pay a small recurring fee for unlimited access to CNN.com's

world-class articles," said Alex MacCallum, CNN's executive vice

president of digital products and services.

The subscription push is also in tandem with CNN CEO Mark

Thompson's plans to shift the company away from being a

television-focused organization to a multi-platform news company

by bolstering its digital business.

CNN, owned by Warner Bros Discovery ( WBD ), will push for

subscription only after users have read a certain number of free

articles a month, MacCallum added.

Subscribers will have access to CNN's articles and other

content including original documentaries and exclusive election

features. They will also have access to daily curated news

selection and see fewer ads, the company said.

The paid subscription is in its preliminary form and it will

expand over time to meet users' needs, CNN said.