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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Great Big Story ends run after 5 years

Great Big Story ends run after 5 years

Published Oct 1, 2020 02:49 pm

Great Big Story, a micro-documentary producing unit launched by CNN in 2015, has ended its run.

(Screencap from Great Big Story's "Racing Wood Scooters in the Philippines")

"Challenging times call for difficult decisions, and it is with a heavy heart that we are announcing that we will be closing the doors of 'Great Big Story,'" read an announcement posted on its Twitter account.

According to Deadline, the shutdown was due to the economic environment, which proved to be too much for the business model amid the pandemic.

"For the last five years, 'Great Big Story'" has had a simple mission -- to unearth amazing, untold stories from around the world. We've shined a light on the extraordinary people and places hiding in the plain sight. It has been an honor to bring you all along for the ride," the New York-based digital form said.

"From the minute we posted our first video, we were driven by a sense of curiosity and wonder. We traveled to over 100 countries and told thousands of stories. We worked everyday to inspire, amaze and surprise you, and your support, delight and enthusiasm for our work was our greatest motivation," it added.

The Emmy and Cannes-Lions winning video company thanked their fans and followers for the support.

"It has meant the world to us. We all have a great big story, go tell yours." 

Originally created to challenge other millennial-focused publications like Buzzfeed and Vice, the "Great Big Story" has 6.3 million followers on Facebook and has created 2,600 short films that have been published on Youtube and Facebook.

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