As we reported earlier, the CNN+ paid streaming service officially launched Tuesday complete with much fanfare and hype – mostly by CNN employees – designed to generate excitement for a network that is struggling to stay afloat on the “free” cable news side of things.
Unfortunately for CNN and as we also noted, things have already gotten off to a very rocky start, with a report from Fox Business Network reporter Charles Gasparino pointing out that employees at CNN+ are already “bracing for layoffs possibly as soon as May amid projections of lackluster sales of new streaming channel.” In addition to that were the promotional emails CNN+ sent Tuesday where they offered “50% off for life” subscriptions to the platform, another sure sign that there is trouble in paradise.
But though this news isn’t good for the likes of newly minted CNN+ star Chris Wallace, one intentionally humorous development that has come from the lackluster launch of CNN’s new product is the CNN+ “Help” Twitter account, which is proving to be far more entertaining than what they’re wanting people to pay for (half off or not!).
For instance, in response to Gasparino’s tweet about possible layoffs coming, CNN’s strategic comms guy Matt Dornic tried the “move along, nothing to see here” tactic, telling Gasparino that “For the record, we are VERY happy with the launch of CNN+ and are only bracing for a long run of success.”
Hilariously, here’s how the CNN+ Help account replied to Baghdad Bob Dornic in a since-deleted tweet:
— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) March 30, 2022
In another instance, one Twitter user made a very important point when he asked CNN+’s “Help” account and CNN media hall monitor Brian Stelter “Why would anyone pay for another service or app? There’s literally nothing compelling you’re going to offer.”
CNN+ tried to put the rosiest spin on their reply possible:
Hi there Josh. That is a good question! CNN+ is the new subscription streaming addition to the CNN app. With CNN+ you can watch exclusive live shows, original series and films, and interactive interviews. To learn more, you can visit this page https://t.co/U5SXsgXECb
— CNN+ Help (@CNNplushelp) March 30, 2022
Another frustrated Twitter user noted that that his subscription didn’t last very long. “My @CNNplus subscription lasted all of 24 hours. I’ll never get that $2.99 back. Coulda bought a Choc-Ice,” they wrote.
CNN+ Help wanted to “look into it”:
Hi there! We're happy to look into it. Please DM us with your CNN+ login email and we'll send you a message with more information.
— CNN+ Help (@CNNplushelp) March 30, 2022
Yet another doubter also weighed in, wondering if there was “anyone out there dumb enough to pay extra for CNN? I don’t think even Senile Joe is that dumb.”
CNN+ Help promised to pass along the feedback to “the team” in an effort to make CNN+ “even better”:
Hi Foster, Thanks for the feedback, I’ll pass your thoughts along. Our team is always working to make CNN+ even better.
— CNN+ Help (@CNNplushelp) March 30, 2022
LOL. Like I said earlier, their (likely automated) Twitter account is much more fun to monitor than the actual CNN+ streaming service. And to think it’s free on top of that! How DID we get so lucky? 😉
Flashback: The Dam Breaks as Blockbuster Report Reveals Deep Extent of CNN Collusion With Andrew Cuomo
Join the conversation as a VIP Member