CNN attempted to sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs) of its streaming service’s first moments — but relatively few have been bought.
CNN recently released a subscription-based streaming platform called CNN+ — which Andrew Morse, the new platform’s chief digital officer, called a “historic moment for CNN.” He added that the “first live moments” of CNN+ would be made available as an NFT — the “the perfect way to celebrate our launch with digital collectors.”
As The Washington Free Beacon reported, “the trendy pieces of digital property have taken off in recent years, with demand for even mundane offerings… anticipated releases of NFTs typically sell out extremely quickly and for large sums of money.” However, fewer than 90 of the 250 NFTs featuring Kate Bolduan welcoming viewers to the “first live broadcast” on CNN+ have been sold as of Thursday evening.
CNN+ allows subscribers to “stay informed with live news, stream exclusive films and original series and participate in unique interactive interviews.” Packages are presently available for $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
CNN appears to have invested substantially in the new offering — even poaching longtime Fox News anchor Chris Wallace to host a show on the platform. However, reports indicate that CNN+ is already collapsing.
According to Fox Business correspondent Charles Gasparino, CNN+ employees are “bracing for layoffs possibly as soon as May amid projections of lackluster sales” for the new streaming channel. Employees say that the new streaming channel “could be merged” into Discovery+ unless subscriptions accelerate.
When asked about Gasparino’s assertions by The Daily Mail, CNN officials did not deny that layoffs are possible. “We are very happy with the launch of CNN+ and look forward to its long success ahead,” a CNN spokesperson told the outlet.
Beyond its tanking viewership, CNN has been plagued by multiple scandals. In February, CNN president Jeff Zucker resigned from his post after an internal investigation into disgraced former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo revealed that Zucker was having an ongoing consensual relationship with one of his colleagues.
Indeed, recently unearthed emails reveal that Cuomo assisted his older brother, former Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY), with public relations efforts to deny charges that the state deliberately covered up the number of senior citizens who died in nursing homes with COVID-19. The legacy media lionized Andrew Cuomo at the outset of COVID-19, often carrying his daily live briefings and lauding him as a stable, competent, successful alternative to President Donald Trump.
CNN has also earned a reputation for failing to report objective news. Podcast host Joe Rogan recently argued that CNN needs to change its model.
“My thoughts for CNN, my advice to them — I don’t hate CNN. I used to go to them every day for the news before they started f***ing hating on me,” Rogan said. “If you want to do better, just f****ing change your model. Change the way you do it.”
Rogan specifically condemned CNN hosts Brian Stelter and Don Lemon. “Stop this editorial perspective with guys like Brian Stelter and Don Lemon that nobody listens to. Nobody is chiming in saying ‘oh yeah, finally we get the voice of reason.’ Nobody thinks that,” Rogan said.