Earlier this week, it was announced that John Krasinski’s YouTube show Some Good News (SGN) has been sold to ViacomCBS. The show, created and hosted by Krasinski, featured good news and fun videos submitted by users and culled from the internet. Krasinski even hosted a prom and graduation for the class of 2020.
While I generally have no issue with this deal, there are a couple of concerns.
CBS All Access
First, the new version of the show will stream on CBS All Access (CBSAA). CBSAA is a terrible platform with terrible content (sadly, I include the Star Trek shows in this statement). Nobody likes it and nobody wants to pay for it. People are tired of paying for network-owned streaming services while still paying for cable or satellite. SGN is a wildly popular show with millions of views. Once free trials are over, ratings will plummet. People are starved for good news these days and this show is badly needed. The better idea would be to put it on traditional CBS broadcast. Sunday nights at 7:00 or 7:30 would be a great time. It would give people something good to think about as they wind down the weekend and get ready for the new work week. Plus, ratings would be more consistently excellent which is better for everyone involved.
I must admit, now that Viacom and CBS have completed their reunification, CBSAA will be totally revamped.. Perhaps the new version will be better, and SGN will be a flagship show. But this doesn’t change the fact that people with cable will still have to pay twice for CBS content.
As a side note—-maybe instead of streaming services, the broadcast networks can work with YouTube to create free channels but have commercials. Or, upgrade their regular websites/apps the same way.
No More John
My second concern, less important as it is, is that Krasinski will no longer be the host of the show, although he does retain the Executive Producer position. Krasinski is a very funny guy and his hosting, more like moderating, is one reason why the show was so popular. It is unknown at this time who the new host, or series of hosts, will be, but it should be someone who can keep the energy up while delivering the good news. My immediate thought is Elle Kepler, actress and star of The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmit. She is very funny and would do a good job. Actress and Krasinski’s wife Emily Blunt would also be a good choice. Her appearances on the show have brought with it a lot of comedy.
Conclusion
When a property like this becomes monetized, it is easy to say the creator sold out. People are very unhappy with this deal and are calling Krasinski a sell-out. I have to say that I was among that number at first. This news was a shock. But after thinking about it—I myself, in the end, am capitalist after all—I like this deal and am happy for those involved. My concern is for the property itself, as I have discussed. I’m sure Krasinski will keep good watch over his creation, but CBS will have to be very careful. Just because more money is put into a thing doesn’t mean that thing gets better. We will have to wait and see.
Comments