CBS buys John Krasinski’s uplifting YouTube series ‘Some Good News’

Do you want to hear the good news or bad news first?

John Krasinski has sold his feel-good web series “Some Good News” to ViacomCBS following a massive bidding war.

“Wow who can believe when we started this thing together we all just wanted good news to be more fully represented in our everyday lives,” Krasinski tweeted following the announcement. ”And now? You quite literally ARE the good news! Thanks to you, SGN lives on, joining the ranks of this historic news network! See you all soon!”

In a statement posted to Twitter, CBS said: “On @johnkrasinski’s very first episode of @somegoodnews, he asked why has there never been a news show dedicated entirely to good news. Well, we at CBS agree and we are proud to welcome SGN to @CBS and the @CBSNews family.”

Krasinski created the YouTube web series during the coronavirus pandemic to focus entirely on positive and inspiring stories, a welcome change to many looking for an escape from the COVID-19 news cycle and quarantine. In two months alone, “Some Good News” has garnered over 71 million views and 2.57 million subscribers on YouTube.

The actor produced eight free episodes on YouTube, including an “Office” reunion, a “Hamilton” performance, online graduations and a virtual prom with special guests.

On the eighth episode earlier last week, Krasinski announced that “we’re taking a break for now, but there is more to come! Stay tuned.”

The bad news? Krasinski will no longer be hosting new episodes following the acquisition, although he will serve as an executive producer. (A new host has not been named yet.)

That news didn’t sit well with some fans.

Twitter user @lindseyweber wrote, ”Remember when he created this free feel good YouTube show to “make people feel good” and now he is................selling it for $$$?”

“So he made 8 YouTube videos comprised largely of unpaid contributions from fans, sold the brand to a major conglomerate, and isn’t even going to make it anymore? Just cashed out? Does this rub anyone else the wrong way, kinda?” tweeted @Lons.