Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Announces New Programming License Deals for Crackle Plus

Rhea-AI Summary

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE) announced new programming license deals for Crackle Plus, adding over 1,000 hours of content from various partners including Gravitas Ventures and Distribution Solutions. Notable additions feature acclaimed titles such as The Bill Murray Stories and National Lampoon’s Snatched, increasing total Crackle Plus content to approximately 79,000 hours. Crackle Plus, available on multiple platforms, continues to expand its offerings, reflecting the company's commitment to providing engaging and free-to-watch programming.

Positive

• New licensing agreements add over 1,000 hours of content.
• Total Crackle Plus content increases to approximately 79,000 hours.
• Partnerships with reputable content providers enhance programming diversity.

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• None.

COS COB, Conn., Sept. 14, 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 for Crackle Plus.

The new license deals cover over 1,000 hours of content from companies including Gravitas Ventures, Distribution Solutions, Insight TV, BGP Releasing, Asian Media Rights, MPI, and Binge Networks.

The 1,000 hours of content includes movies, TV series, and documentaries with must-see programs like The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man from Gravitas Ventures, a documentary series highlighting Americans’ spontaneous and unexpected encounters with actor Bill Murray that has a 95% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer; and National Lampoon’s Snatched from Distribution Solutions, the comedy film starring Andrew McCarthy and Ernest Borgnine.

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 The Sonata, Blue Iguana, Corporate Animals, Crown Vic, The Clearing, On Point, Going From Broke, ’85: The Greatest Team in Football History, Road to Race Day and Cleanin’ Up the Town.

“Crackle Plus continues to add fresh, fun, and exciting content to our networks as we execute on our focus of offering programming that audiences want, and is always free to watch,” said Philippe Guelton, president of Crackle Plus.

Crackle Plus obtained the right to exhibit new content from various license deals through sister company Screen Media.

Crackle is available in the U.S. on 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) 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 content has Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment licensed for Crackle Plus?

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment has licensed over 1,000 hours of content from companies like Gravitas Ventures and Distribution Solutions for Crackle Plus.

How much content does Crackle Plus offer after the new deals?

Crackle Plus now offers approximately 79,000 hours of content, including both new licenses and existing titles.

What are some highlighted titles included in the new programming for Crackle Plus?

Highlighted titles include The Bill Murray Stories and National Lampoon’s Snatched.

Where can Crackle Plus be accessed?

Crackle Plus is available on 26 devices and services, including RokuTV, Apple TV, and Amazon FireTV.

What is the significance of Crackle Plus's licensing deals for investors?

The new licensing deals enhance Crackle Plus's content library, potentially attracting more viewers and increasing advertising revenues, which is important for investors.