What gave WarnerMedia executives the notion that a CNN subscription service was a good idea? For starters, Axios reported that internal research showed executives that CNN+ could attract up to 30 million paid subscribers all around the world. Well, you know how that went. A week ago it was announced that CNN+ would be shut down and that the last day of programming would be April 30.
As it turns out, CNN+ didn’t even make it that far:
CNN+ To Cease On Thursday, Two Days Earlier Than Announced https://t.co/W2aDbLEsHl
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) April 28, 2022
When it was announced that CNN+ would be shut down but remain operational until the end of the month, there were immediate “what’s the point” vibes. As it turns out, there was not point, and the plug will be pulled today.
What made them think that this could work?
Ask people to pay money for fake news they don't watch when it's available for free? #CNNPlus https://t.co/7nfV28osCL
— Andrea Katherine (@AndreaKatSTL) April 28, 2022
Meanwhile, Brian Stelter is still trying to assess something:
Has Steltar figured out yet whether the service was a success? Hope this news helps him out!🙄
— Rich Donovan (@RickDan75340558) April 28, 2022
Hopefully he can figure that out before too long.
Lol pic.twitter.com/2dcREg7zZW
— TheMorningSpew2 (@TheMorningSpew2) April 28, 2022
CNN+ is so dead they can’t even make it to their announced Day Of Failure. https://t.co/aQiirczQb6
— @Matthew Betley 🇺🇸 (@MatthewBetley) April 28, 2022
One of the biggest and most expensive — if not the biggest and most expensive — disasters in media history is almost dead and buried.
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Related:
CNN’s head of strategic communications follows up that ‘bracing for success’ tweet from last month
Journo Sam Stein grossed out by people cheering and mocking the fast implosion of CNN+
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