CuriosityStream

CuriosityStream is an American factual media and entertainment company that offers video programming including documentaries, TV shows, and short form video content to subscribers. It was launched in 2015 by the founder of the Discovery Channel, John S. Hendricks. As of 2020 it had more than 13 million subscribers worldwide[2] across its direct and bundled subscription businesses.[3][4][5][6]

CuriosityStream
Type of site
Video on demand
Available inEnglish
Traded asNASDAQ: CURI
FoundedMarch 18, 2015 (2015-03-18)
HeadquartersSilver Spring, Maryland,
United States
Area servedWorldwide
OwnerCuriosityStream, LLC
Founder(s)John S. Hendricks
Key peopleClint Stinchcomb (President & CEO)
Revenue US$8.7 million (Q3 2020)[1]
URLcuriositystream.com
RegistrationLimited free titles. Subscription required to access full library.
Users13,000,000[2]
Current statusActive

CuriosityStream produces original documentaries and series including 4th & Forever: Muck City,[7] The History of Home,[8] Miniverse, Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places, David Attenborough's Light On Earth, and Deep Time History; and additionally features content from producers such as the BBC and NHK.[9]

History

CuriosityStream started as a stand-alone OTT media service. It then expanded distribution to Amazon Channels and Ellation's VRV.[10] In November 2017, CuriosityStream became available on Comcast's set-top box VOD platform and the MSO's Xfinity Stream app/portal. This was the company's first distribution deal with a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD).[10]

In April 2018, Dish Network made CuriosityStream available on internet-connected Hopper devices and the Dish Anywhere mobile app.[11]

In August 2020, Matthew Blank joined CuriosityStream’s board of directors. Blank formerly served as an advisor to Showtime Networks where he spent over 20 years as the chairman and CEO of Showtime Networks, overseeing series such as Homeland, Dexter, and Billions.[12][13] He also served as president, COO, and EVP of marketing at Showtime.[13] Prior to joining Showtime, he worked at HBO for 12 years.[14]

On August 11, 2020, it was officially announced that CuriosityStream would undergo a reverse merger with Software Acquisition Group, Inc., a special-purpose acquisition company. As a result of the merger, CuriosityStream started trading on NASDAQ under the Ticker symbol "CURI" on October 15, 2020.[15] This made it the first publicly traded streaming media company focused on factual content.[16]

In November 2020, CuriosityStream announced a new series, Beyond the Spotlight, from executive producers Leonardo DiCaprio and Stephen David. Each episode of the series features conversations with different celebrity icons, focused on their personal lives, histories, and inspirations. Celebrities include Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Kristen Bell, Shaquille O'Neal, Joe Namath, and MrBeast. The first episodes premiered on November 19, 2020.[17] Later in November, Indian pay-TV and OTT provider Tata Sky partnered with the company to bring its content to Tata Sky's subscribers via Tata Sky Binge.[18] CuriosityStream's programs were also made available to Tata Sky DTH customers as a linear channel.[19]

Subscription service

CuriosityStream offers annual and month-to-month subscriptions and a 4K plan.[20] It distributes its programming in the U.S. and internationally using a mix of OTT players, pay-TV operators, and broadband ISPs.[21]

CuriosityStream has over 50 partners, including Amazon, Comcast, Altice USA and Suddenlink (USA); Com Hem (Sweden); StarHub (Singapore); Totalplay (Mexico); Multichoice's DStv (Africa); Millicom (Latin America); Okko (Russia); Gazprom (Russia) and Liberty Global/FLOW (the Caribbean).[22][23][24]

The app is available through Roku, Apple TV Channels and Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Sprint, Google Chromecast, iOS and Android, Amazon Prime Video Channels, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Comcast Xfinity on Demand.[8]

The company advertises its brand using ads on digital channels and on traditional TV.[21]

Programs

CuriosityStream offers on-demand content and linear, live TV-style streams from its VoD catalog. The programs cover a range of factual content including science, history, mathematics, technology, robotics, and nature.[20] The service also offers content for children and original programming.[25]

In June 2020, CuriosityStream signed a partnership with wildlife production company Doclights to add 50 original history documentaries to SVOD and pay-TV platforms.[26] Programs include Cheetah: Beating the Odds; Hidden Australia; These Birds Were Made for Walking; Jaguar: King of the Jungle; Magical Fjords; Meet the Meerkats; Meet the Marsupials; Puma: The Ghost Cat; and, Sloth Bear: Birth of A Prince.[26]

In December 2020, they announced an original series focusing on the work of primatologist Jane Goodall under the working title Rescued Chimpanzees of the Congo with Jane Goodall. The series will be produced by CuriosityStream, Off the Fence Productions, and the Jane Goodall Institute and is scheduled for release in 2021. It will include three decades of unseen archival footage.[27][28]

Additional available programs on CuriosityStream include David Attenborough's Light on Earth; The Spying Game: Tales from the Cold War; The Normans; Heston's Dinner in Space; and The Secret World of Lego.[29] Content for kids includes Quarx, Prehistoric Worlds, and Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin.[30]

Viewership

At the end of January 2020, the company claimed to have more than 13 million subscribers.[31] In 2019, CuriosityStream was translating its programs into Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Cantonese.[23]

In July 2020, CuriosityStream signed a partnership deal with Swedish telecommunications company Com Hem to bring the company's library content to Sweden. Many of the programs were made available with Swedish subtitles.[22]

Awards and nominations

News & Documentary Emmy Award

  • Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places - Outstanding Graphic Design & Art Direction (Winner, 2017)
  • David Attenborough's Light on Earth - Outstanding Nature Documentary (Nominee, 2017)
  • David Attenborough's Light on Earth - Outstanding Cinematography: Documentary (Nominee, 2017)

Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival

  • David Attenborough's Light on Earth - Best Host/Presenter-Led Film (Winner, 2017)
  • David Attenborough's Light on Earth - Best Science in Nature Film (Nominee, 2017)
  • Big World in a Small Garden - Best Short Film (Nominee, 2017)

Webby Award

  • CuriosityStream - Best Science & Education Channel (Honoree, 2017)
  • Deep Time History - Best Documentary Series (Honoree, 2017)
  • Science Breakthroughs: Gravitational Waves - Science & Education for Film & Video (Nominee, 2017)
  • CuriosityStream - Best Science & Education Channel (Honoree, 2016)

British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA)

  • David Attenboroughs Light on Earth - Specialist Factual (Nominee, 2017)

Wildscreen Film Festival

  • David Attenborough's Light on Earth - Science Award (Winner, 2016)
  • David Attenborough's Light on Earth - Technical Innovation Award (Winner, 2016)
  • David Attenborough's Light on Earth - Presenter Award (nominee, 2016)

Science Media Awards

  • David Attenborough's Light on Earth - Grand Helix Award Winner, 2016 (BEST IN SHOW)
  • Jason Silva: Transhumanism - Best Short Form Documentary (Nominee, 2016)

Clint Stinchcomb

In June 2018, Clint Stinchcomb was appointed President and CEO of CuriosityStream. He first joined the company in 2017 as Chief Distribution Officer.[32] He is also the co-founder and former CEO of Poker Central.[21] Previously Stinchcomb held positions as Managing Director of Worldwide Media Group (WMG) and executive VP and GM of Discovery Communications' Emerging Television Networks.[33]

References
  1. "John Hendricks's CuriosityStream reaches 13 million subs". DigitalTV Europe. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  2. Spangler, Todd (June 30, 2020). "Discovery Veteran Bill Goodwyn Joins John Hendricks' CuriosityStream". Variety. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  3. Mullin, Benjamin (August 2, 2018). "Discovery Channel Founder Pivots After Hitting Ceiling for Cord-Cutter Bonanza". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  4. Shaw, Luvas (December 10, 2019). "Streaming Service Quietly Gathers More Subscribers Than HBO Now". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  5. "CuriosityStream & Nebula FAQ". CuriosityStream. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  6. Scott Kitun (July 10, 2020). "CuriosityStream puts facts and science wonders front and center with documentary streaming service". wgnradio.com (Podcast). WGN. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  7. White, Peter (April 20, 2020). "CuriosityStream Tackles High School Football In '4th and Forever: Muck City', Streamer's First Original Docuseries". Deadline. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  8. Spangler, Todd (June 4, 2020). "Nick Offerman Hosts CuriosityStream Series Exploring the History of Homes". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  9. Dave, Paresh (March 18, 2015). "With CuriosityStream, Discovery Channel founder seeks online success". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  10. "Comcast Adds CuriosityStream to SVOD Lineup". Multichannel News. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  11. Baumgartner, Jeff (April 4, 2018). "CuriosityStream Connects With Dish". Multichannel News. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  12. "TV News Roundup: Netflix Unveils 'Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices' Trailer". Variety. August 25, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  13. "Former Showtime Chief Matt Blank Joins CuriosityStream Board". Multichannel News. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  14. "Showtime Alum Matthew Blank Joins CuriosityStream Board". TVREAL. August 26, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  15. October 2020, Mike Farrell 12. "Just the Facts at CuriosityStream". Multichannel News. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  16. "CuriosityStream Stock Rises in Market Debut | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  17. Oganesyan, Natalie (November 12, 2020). "Netflix Unveils Trailer for Shondaland's 'Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' (TV News Roundup)". Variety. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  18. "CuriosityStream Pacts with India's Tata Sky". TVREAL. November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  19. November 2020, Mike Farrell 16. "CuriosityStream Lands Distribution Deal in India". Multichannel News. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  20. "Curiosity Stream is a streaming smörgåsbord of high-quality science-focused programs". Futurism. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  21. "CuriosityStream CEO: We're 'insulated' from studio content claw-back". Light Reading. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  22. "CuriosityStream signs distribution deal with Com Hem". Digital TV Europe. July 8, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  23. "CuriosityStream Grows Subscriber Base to More Than 10 Million". Variety. December 10, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  24. "Cheddar exec joins CuriosityStream to spark continued growth". FierceVideo. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  25. Carugati, Anna (July 22, 2020). "CuriosityStream's John Hendricks". TVREAL. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  26. "CuriosityStream, Doclight ink partnership for natural history docs". Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  27. "CuriosityStream uncovers Goodall footage". C21media. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  28. "CuriosityStream preps "Rescued Chimpanzees of the Congo with Jane Goodall"". Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  29. "How to watch Curiosity Stream". The Daily Dot. September 28, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  30. Siegel, Fern. "CuriosityStream Launches 'Stay in, Stay Curious' Campaign, Enhanced Kids' Mode Feature". The Streamable. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  31. "CuriosityStream claims more than 13M paying subscribers". Fierce Video. January 22, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  32. "Clint Stinchcomb Named President and CEO of CuriosityStream". Multichannel. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  33. Lafayette, Jon (June 20, 2018). "Stinchcomb Named CEO at Hendricks' CuriosityStream". Broadcasting Cable. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
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