Brian Stelter Proudly Announces New CNN Paywall, Mockery Ensues

Apparently the self-proclaimed “most trusted name in news” has learned nothing from the CNN+ streaming disaster and has once again turned to the business model of forcing people to pay for content.

As more Americans shun mainstream media in favor of more impartial and fair alternatives, the cable network has struggled in terms of revenue and viewership, opting to charge $3.99 for its online propaganda.

Recently re-hired human potato Brian Stelter proudly announced the new firewall in a Tuesday post to X, sharing an article he wrote.

Big news about CNN: CNN’s website, one of the most popular news sites in the world, is starting to require some users to pay $3.99 a month for access – the first brick in a paywall that over time should help keep CNN’s journalism bill afloat .

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 1, 2024

“Big news about CNN today: CNN’s website, one of the most popular news sites in the world, is starting to require some users to pay $3.99 a month for access – the first brick in a paywall that should, over time, help foot the journalism bill CNN,” he said.

“Starting today, we’re asking users in the United States to pay a small, recurring fee for unlimited access to CNN.com’s world-class stories,” CNN executive vice president of digital products and services Alex MacCallum explained in an internal memo about the new one, according to Stelter’s article.

“Only when users consume a certain number of free items will they be asked to subscribe,” MacCallum said. “In addition to unlimited access to CNN.com stories, subscribers will receive benefits including exclusive election programming, original documentaries, a daily selection of our most distinctive journalism and fewer digital ads.”

Following Stelter’s big announcement and sales pitch, ridicule erupted, with users reminding him that the network had already failed by trying to blame its dwindling viewership on fake news and left-wing opinions.

Lol, this will be as good as CNN+

— Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson) October 1, 2024

It’s as if the CNN+ fiasco never happened

— Jeff Carlson (@themarketswork) October 1, 2024

Nobody will pay for CNN, period. It’s not worth $3.99, $1.99 or $0.99. There is no point in watching ads.

— TheRealThelmaJohnson (@TheRealThelmaJ1) October 1, 2024

I know you have to make money, but instead you could try to get back to an honest and impartial relationship. This would attract more viewers.

This will be the last nail in your coffin. Either way, I don’t care because your days as a journalist are over…

— Matt Bartruff (@MattBartruff) October 1, 2024

CNN+ version 2.0.

What is the definition of insanity again?

— Schadenfreudelish (@aggierican) October 1, 2024

There’s a reason CNN’s “journalism” is dying. Constant lies and propaganda are not good business strategies.

So the brilliant plan to fix this problem is to ask people to pay money for lies???

— Patri0tsareinContr0l (@Patri0tContr0l) October 1, 2024

As if someone had to pay for CNN. I think your little CNN plus experiment would teach you that.

— NotYourJewishMom (@CaffMomREDACTED) October 1, 2024

I can’t wait to see this bankruptcy

— Florida Dad (@Corona3743) October 1, 2024

It’s been just two and a half years since the implosion of wacky CNN+, which folded its tent after dropping big money on talent including former FOX News anchor Chris Wallace, only to discover that predictions that people they will actually pay money to see this movie, they were crazy crazy faded.

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