Staff Reports
Oliver Darcy, the self-described media critic and former head honcho of CNN’s “Reliable Sources,” has decided to break free from the mainstream media chains and venture into the wild world of independent newsletters. This move, as unexpected as a cat in a dog show, comes at a time when CNN appears to be on a wild roller coaster ride of layoffs and financial woes under the new management of Mark Thompson. Apparently, when the going gets tough, the tough start their own newsletters.
CNN’s recent perfect storm of chaos includes cutting a hundred jobs—likely the final ding in an already beleaguered boat. Darcy, who joined the network back in 2017, seems to have realized that even when waters are rough, there’s a lifeboat right next to the Titanic—and it’s called “Status,” his brand-new subscription-based newsletter. Apparently, he believes there’s room on the internet for another voice to drown out the shrieking of liberal narratives.
The timing of Darcy’s departure couldn’t be more serendipitous. Just a month earlier, Warner Bros. Discovery reported a jaw-dropping $10 billion net loss in the second quarter. No wonder the man is jumping ship; even the stock was reported to be taking a nosedive of over 10% in one day! Under such crumbling circumstances, going solo starts to sound like the best idea since sliced bread, especially when it means avoiding the dismal fate of riding the sinking CNN boat.
While it’s refreshing to see someone like Darcy assert his independent voice, one has to wonder what exactly he means by being completely self-funded and independent. Investors might have more influence than he’s letting on, or perhaps he simply means nobody’s bought him a latte lately. Still, it’s hard not to appreciate the charm of a writer declaring he doesn’t need any backers—just his loyal subscribers’ cash to keep the dream alive. It’s a bold statement in a persona-driven media world where every toot on the horn requires backing from significant budgets.
With plans to blend sharp reporting and astute commentary, Darcy’s “Status” aims to tackle an impressive assortment of topics. From Silicon Valley’s technological debacles to the ever-so-exciting world of presidential politics, it seems Darcy is setting out to cover the stuff media conglomerates overlook while pandering to their skewed agendas. The newsletter is subscription-based, and those fortunate enough to cast off the shackles of CNN are encouraged to cough up between $15 per month to a whopping $595 per year for exclusive perks. Who doesn’t want a personal Zoom call with a guy who just fled a sinking media ship?
Longtime CNN Host Quits The Network, Stunning Fans https://t.co/ujMfrb50aK
— The McFiles War Room (@TheMcFiles45) August 8, 2024
Meanwhile, CNN, navigating a shifting landscape, is begging for viewers to switch from traditional cable to its digital realm. Good luck with that, considering the general public isn’t too eager to pay for a second-rate news source when they can get breathtakingly biased takes from a plethora of other outlets, all while scrolling through Twitter or YouTube. With declining viewership and a persistent wave of criticism, it seems that while Darcy may have found his escape route, CNN is still stuck on a sinking ship with no captain in sight.
