Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Adds More Programming License Deals and Further Expands Distribution for Crackle Plus

Rhea-AI Summary

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE) announced new programming license deals and distribution expansion on Xumo, enhancing its Crackle Plus service. The deals include rights to acclaimed shows like Metro Sexual and Shameless UK, contributing to a total of approximately 79,000 hours of content on Crackle Plus. This expansion comes alongside a new distribution agreement with Xumo for Crackle and Popcornflix networks, broadening accessibility across 26 devices and services. The company aims to meet viewer demand with fresh content.

Positive

• New licensing deals increase content for Crackle Plus to approximately 79,000 hours.
• Expands distribution through a deal with Xumo for Crackle and Popcornflix networks, enhancing accessibility.

Negative

• None.

License Deals with FilmRise, Broad Green Pictures, HumDrum Comedy and Includes Highly-Acclaimed Australian Series Metro Sexual

New Distribution on Xumo for Crackle and Popcornflix Networks

COS COB, Conn., Aug. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, today announced new programming license deals and new distribution expansion on Xumo for Crackle Plus.  

Crackle Plus obtained the right to exhibit new content from various license deals through sister company Screen Media. The new license deals include the highly-acclaimed Australian series Metro Sexual from HumDrum Comedy, 11 seasons of the original version of Shameless which was broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK, five seasons of Grounded for Life and Remember the Daze from FilmRise, 99 Homes, The Infiltrator, Knight of Cups, Last Days in the Desert, and Song to Song from Broad Green Pictures, and Kickin’ It Old Skool and Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s the Fantastic Four from Uncork’d.

The above titles, alongside existing library titles, bring total Crackle Plus content to approximately 79,000 hours. This includes original and exclusive programming such as Crown Vic, The Clearing, On Point, Going From Broke, ’85: The Greatest Team in Football History, Road to Race Day. Cleanin’ Up the Town, and Anything is Possible.

In addition to increasing its content, Crackle Plus has signed a new distribution deal with Xumo for the Crackle and Popcornflix networks.

“With a growing tailwind of fresh content, we’re continuing to execute on our focus of offering audiences the series and movies they want as evidenced by our recent license deals,” said Philippe Guelton, president of Crackle Plus. “We also continue to make it even easier for audiences to find us through our new deal with Xumo.”

With the recent addition of Plex, Xfinity Flex, and FuboTV, Philo and Xumo, Crackle is available in the U.S. on over 26 devices and services including Amazon FireTV, RokuTV, Apple TV, Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio), gaming consoles (PS4 and XBoxOne), on iOS and Android mobile devices and on desktops at Crackle.com. Crackle is also available in approximately 500,000 hotel rooms in the Marriott Bonvoy chain.

ABOUT CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL ENTERTAINMENT
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE) operates streaming video-on-demand networks (VOD). The company owns a majority stake in Crackle Plus, a company formed with Sony Pictures Television, which owns and operates a variety of ad-supported and subscription-based VOD networks including Crackle, Popcornflix, Popcornflix Kids, Truli, Pivotshare, Españolflix and FrightPix. The company also acquires and distributes video content through its Screen Media subsidiary and produces original long and short-form content through Landmark Studio Group, its Chicken Soup for the Soul Originals division and APlus.com. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is a subsidiary of Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC, which publishes the famous book series and produces super-premium pet food under the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand name.    

ABOUT CRACKLE PLUS
Crackle Plus is a video-on-demand (VOD) joint venture formed by Sony Pictures Television and Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE). The company’s consumer facing ad-supported VOD (AVOD) channels include Crackle (U.S. and Canada), Popcornflix, Popcornflix Kids, Truli, Popcornflix Comedy, Frightpix, and Espanolflix. It also owns subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platform Pivotshare. Crackle Plus reaches over 40 million monthly visitors making it one of the largest AVOD streaming platforms in the U.S. Its content library includes over 79,000 hours of programming.

ABOUT SCREEN MEDIA VENTURES, LLC                                                            
Screen Media Ventures, LLC, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE) company, acquires the rights to high quality, independent television series and feature films for the U.S. and Canada. Screen Media Ventures acquires worldwide rights for distribution through theatrical, home video, pay-per-view, free, cable and pay television, video-on-demand, and new digital media platforms. The company acquires AVOD rights for third party networks and is the main supplier of content for Crackle Plus and other Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment properties. With a library of over 1,500 television series and motion pictures, Screen Media Ventures is one of the largest independent suppliers of high-quality TV series and motion pictures to U.S. and international broadcast markets, cable networks, home video outlets and new media venues. For more information, visit: www.screenmedia.net.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks (including those set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2020, as updated by the risks included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2020) and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Investors should realize that if our underlying assumptions for the projections contained herein prove inaccurate or that known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from our expectations and projections.

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Taylor Krafchik
Ellipsis
csse@ellipsisir.com
(646) 776-0886

MEDIA CONTACT
Kate Barrette
RooneyPartners LLC
kbarrette@rooneyco.com
(212) 223-0561

FAQ

What new content has Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment added to Crackle Plus?

The company has added acclaimed titles like Metro Sexual and Shameless UK, along with other shows, increasing total content to approximately 79,000 hours.

When was the announcement about the new distribution deals made?

The announcement was made on August 19, 2020.

What is the impact of the new distribution deal with Xumo for CSSE?

The new distribution deal with Xumo expands Crackle and Popcornflix's reach, allowing access on over 26 devices.

How does the new licensing affect CSSE's market position?

The increase in content through new licensing deals strengthens Crackle Plus's competitive position in the AVOD market.

What is the stock symbol for Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment?

The stock symbol is CSSE.