CNN news coverage will soon feature live prediction-market data from Kalshi, giving viewers real-time probabilities on elections, weather, pop culture and major world events.
The partnership, announced by Kalshi on Wednesday, is the first major newsroom to integrate a federally regulated prediction-market into its coverage. Kalshi first gained traction by taking bets on the 2024 Presidential Election, but has since shifted decisively toward sports in the past year — now nearly 90% of its trading.
That shift has largely fueled a 12× increase in valuation, also disclosed Wednesday. The $11 billion valuation is more than double the $5 billion valuation from a funding round in August.
CNN adds Kalshi to news coverage
CNN will pipe Kalshi’s live markets into its broadcasts, digital platforms and social channels through a direct API integration, according to an Axios report from CNN Media Analyst Sara Fischer.
The deal includes a real-time on-screen ticker showing continuously updating probabilities, as well as access for anchors and data reporters across the network. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten will be the primary on-air voice using Kalshi’s markets to frame what may happen next, according to the report.
“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,” Sam Felix, CNN SVP of strategic partnerships and business development told Axios.
Legitimizing prediction markets quickly
The agreement is exclusive and precludes CNN from using data from competing prediction-market providers. CNN will not pay a licensing fee, a decision Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said is part of his push to legitimize prediction markets as a mainstream information tool.
It is the latest in a string of recent high-profile partnerships Kalshi has struck as it fights multiple lawsuits threatening its existence, which may ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.
Kalshi counts Robinhood, the country’s largest retail trading app, among its distribution partners, alongside integrations with X/Twitter and the NHL, its first major professional sports league partnership.
Kalshi hits $11B valuation
The company also announced a $1 billion Series E round led by Paradigm, valuing the company at $11 billion.
Founded in 2019, Kalshi built its early business around political and economic contracts, but its trajectory changed in January when it launched sports trading with Super Bowl markets. Nearly 90% of the $13.3 billion in volume Kalshi has taken since September has been placed on sports, according to LSR Data Analyst Eric Ramsey.
“Kalshi is replacing debate, subjectivity, and talk with markets, accuracy, and truth,” Mansour said in a statement. “We have created a new way of consuming and engaging with information. It’s hard to have an opinion about the future today without thinking about Kalshi.”
Kalshi says the capital will be used to accelerate consumer adoption beyond 100 million users, integrate additional brokerages, expand media partnerships, and broaden its market offerings.
