John Krasinski started the YouTube series “Some Good News” in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic in March. Now, after airing what he said would be the last episode for now on May 19, the series has been sold to ViacomCBS after a “massive bidding war,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Some Good News” featured positive and uplifting stories while many people were sheltering at home amid the COVID-19 outbreak, with Krasinski hosting and self-financing the series’ eight episodes on YouTube, according to People magazine.
With the series moving to CBS, Krasinski will move into an executive producer role and a new host for the series will be named at a later date, THR reported.
“Could not be more excited and proud to be partnering with CBS/Viacom to be able to bring ‘Some Good News’ to so many more people!” Krasinski said in a statement, according to People. “From the first episode, our goal was to create a news show dedicated entirely to good news. Never did I expect to be joining the ranks of such a historic news organization as CBS.”
Krasinski started receiving offers on “Some Good News” after its first episode. But Krasinski had originally resisted the idea of selling the series, which had gathered 2.56 million subscribers to its YouTube channel and as many as 17 million views on some of the episodes, according to THR.
After announcing that he would be taking a hiatus on the show in his May 19 episode, Krasinski appeared emotional, the Deseret News reported. In a tweet announcing the last episode, Krasinski wrote, “There IS and ALWAYS WILL BE...good in the world! Thank you all! So long but not farewell!”