The Onion Takes a Serious Turn: New Documentary for America’s 250th

The Onion, long known for its satirical headlines, is diving into documentary filmmaking. Their newest project, 'Birth of a Nation,' commemorates America’s 250th anniversary. This shift comes under the leadership of Ben Collins, who acquired The Onion in 2024 with a group of investors. Collins says the move reflects the company's broader ambitions beyond just satire.

Before steering The Onion, Collins spent years at NBC News, focusing on extremism and misinformation. Fed up with the grim realities, he sought a change. His approach is clear: focus on what audiences genuinely enjoy. The Onion plans to reduce reliance on low-quality ad revenue, which previously generated about $1.5 million annually. Now, they’re banking on subscriptions and audience support. The numbers speak volumes, with around 80,000 paying subscribers and a digital reach of 30 million, The Onion's strategy seems to be paying off.

In a surprising twist, The Onion recently bid for InfoWars, the controversial platform founded by Alex Jones. This move aligns with their aim to satirize conspiracy theories and fringe internet personalities. While jokes about their own audacity abound, Collins is intent on making it work, believing that humor can offer catharsis in today’s media climate.

So, what’s next for The Onion? With projects like these, they're carving a niche that blends comedy with serious undertones, potentially appealing to a wider audience. For everyday users, this means a more diversified media world, one where satire meets substance. And for media competitors? Well, they'd better watch out.