Sarah Palin‘s views on America, politics, immigration and family values evidently were not compelling enough to convince many people to fork over $10 per month.
Last summer, the conservative former governor of Alaska, ex-Fox News pundit and one-time U.S. Republican VP candidate launched the Sarah Palin Channel, which she promised would deliver perspectives that “cut through the media’s politically correct filter.”
But after one year, Palin is ending the subscription service. She announced in a July 4 post that her video content will be distributed free on her political action committee’s site and Facebook, on which she has 4.4 million followers. “Effective August 1st, the governor will be making all of her content free on her Facebook page and at SarahPac.com,” said a message posted on SarahPalinChannel.com.
With the change, Palin will end her partnership with Tapp, the online-video venture formed by Jeff Gaspin, former chairman of NBCUniversal Television, and Jon Klein, former president of CNN U.S.
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Palin “won’t be working with Tapp moving forward,” a company rep said, given that the startup is focused on subscription-based services. Tapp did not disclose how many paying subscribers the Sarah Palin Channel had signed up.
Access to the Sarah Palin Channel had cost $9.95 per month or $99.95 for a one-year subscription. According to the message on the site, monthly subscribers will no longer be charged after July. Annual subscribers can opt to either have the remainder of their subscription fees refunded or apply it to one of Tapp’s three other over-the-top services: Alive with Joan Lunden, focused on breast cancer patients and survivors; New Life TV, hosted by Christian relationship counselor and radio host Steve Arterburn; and K-Love TV, a Christian music channel.
Investors in Tapp include Discovery Communications, Luminari Capital and individuals including investment bankers Ken Moelis and Peter Ezersky.
The Sarah Palin Channel has featured her commentary on “important issues facing the nation,” including videos with such titles as “Still No Obama Plan to Defeat ISIS,” “Gun Free Doesn’t Equal Crime Free” and “Spending Snafu Benefits Spanish Speakers.” It also offered a glimpse into Palin’s personal life with segments like “The Joy of Christmas” and “Moose Meat: It’s What’s for Dinner!”
