Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Announces New Programming for Crackle for September

Rhea-AI Summary

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE) has announced new content for its streaming platform Crackle, including exclusive features and series. The company will roll out to 41 distribution platforms, expanding from 50 to over 64, including major devices like Amazon FireTV and RokuTV. Notable releases include 'The Machine' and 'The Jesus Rolls' debuting on September 1, followed by 'Taboo' on September 15. The new channels for September will highlight women's contributions in entertainment and adaptations from books to screen, further enhancing their diverse content offering.

Positive

• Expansion to 41 distribution platforms enhances market penetration.
• New exclusive content improves user engagement and platform attractiveness.

Negative

• None.

       Mix of Hollywood Blockbusters, Award-Winning Indies, Classic TV and Hand-Picked Exclusive and Original Content

Includes Crackle AVOD Exclusive Feature ‘The Jesus Rolls’ and the Crackle AVOD Exclusive Series ‘Taboo’ and ‘The Machine’

COS COB, Conn., Aug. 31, 2021 (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 the upcoming content releases for Crackle for September.

The three primary Crackle Plus networks, Crackle, Popcornflix, and Chicken Soup for the Soul, are rolling out to new distribution touch points on up to 41 platforms on an ongoing basis as either AVOD or FAST channels. The Crackle Plus networks are currently distributed through 50 touch points in the U.S. with announced plans to expand to over 64 touch points including Amazon FireTV, RokuTV, Apple TV, Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio), gaming consoles (PS4 and XBoxOne), Plex, 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.

New Crackle AVOD Exclusives

The Machine (September 1^st), “The Machine” tells the story of the 2017 Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits (named “Sports School of the Century” by Sports Illustrated), and their journey to carry on the tradition of the Poly football legends who have come before them. Coached by Super Bowl champion Antonio Pierce, the one-time powerhouse program is still one of the top producers of NFL talent but has become a perennial underdog. In a field dominated by million-dollar private schools and sports academies, Poly must fight to stay relevant as an underfunded public school. Coach Pierce is joined by NFL legends LaVar Arrington, and TJ Houshmandzadeh, to lead a roster of players which includes the most highly recruited quarterback/wide-receiver duo in the nation, alongside kids struggling to use the game as a way to escape legacies of crime and violence.

The Jesus Rolls (September 1^st), The Jesus rolls on in this spin-off for one of the favorite characters from one of the most beloved of all Coen Brothers films. Hours after being released from prison, Jesus Quintana (John Turturro) pairs up with fellow misfits Petey (Bobby Cannavale) and Marie (Audrey Tautou), and embarks on a freewheeling joyride of petty crime and romance.

Taboo (September 15^th), Set in 1814, Taboo follows James Keziah Delaney (Tom Hardy), a man who has been to the ends of the earth and comes back irrevocably changed. Believed to be long dead, he returns home to London from Africa to inherit what is left of his father's shipping empire and rebuild a life for himself. But his father's legacy is a poisoned chalice, and with enemies lurking in every dark corner, James must navigate increasingly complex territories to avoid his own death sentence. Encircled by conspiracy, murder, and betrayal, a dark family mystery unfolds in a combustible tale of love and treachery.

New Crackle Channels for September

Women Rule the Screen Presented by Phexxi (September 1^st), Feel the burn from the hottest women in entertainment with titles like Bordertown (Jennifer Lopez), Freedom Writers (Hilary Swank), Canterbury’s Law (Julianna Margulies), and the classic series Charlie’s Angels (Farrah Fawcett).

From Book to Screen (September 1^st), Let your friends from Crackle bring your favorite pages to life with these film renditions of these classic page turners. Get the cinematic story cover to cover with such titles as A Walk in the Woods (Robert Redford), Mary Higgins Clark: All Around the Town (Nastassja Kinski), Stephen King’s A Good Marriage (Joan Allen), and Wuthering Heights (Kaya Scodelario).

Murder Mystery Dinner Party (September 1^st), Your pals at Crackle have set you a place at the table, but be careful since danger is the main course for the evening. Get your fill of chills with such titles as Murder on the Orient Express (1970), The Hound of the Baskervilles, A Women Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story, and The F Word with Gordon Ramsay.

The English Channel (September 1^st), Pack your bags and take a little trip over the pond because Crackle has your itinerary all set! Your tour will take you through the best in British content with titles like Midsomer Murders (John Nettles), Murder City (Amanda Donohoe), Merlin (Colin Morgan), and Being Human (Lenora Crichlow).

Black Entertainment Channel (September 1^st), Black artists have made an impact in the entertainment world since day one. Check out just a few of the highlights of these contributions with titles such as Mama Flora’s Family (Queen Latifa), Benson (Robert Guillaume), Freedom Road (Muhammad Ali), and Formula51 (Samuel Jackson).

New Crackle Spotlight Titles in September

Django Unchained (September 1^st), A former slave and a German bounty hunter become unlikely allies in the battle against a tyrannical plantation owner in this Western from visionary director Quentin Tarantino. Two years before the Civil War pits brother-against-brother, German-born fugitive hunter Dr. King Schultz (Academy Award-winner Christoph Waltz) arrives in America determined to capture the outlaw Brittle brothers dead or alive. In the midst of his search, Dr. Schultz crosses paths with Django (Academy Award-winner Jamie Foxx), a freed slave and skilled tracker who seeks to rescue his beloved wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) from ruthless plantation owner Calvin Candie (Academy Award-nominee Leonardo DiCaprio).

The Legend of Bagger Vance (September 1^st), Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon) was a gifted amateur golfer from Savannah, GA, until traumatic experiences during World War I shattered his confidence and sent him into a spiral of alcoholism. In 1931, Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron), a beautiful heiress who once loved Junuh, inherits a spectacular but financially ailing golf course after the suicide of her father. To attract customers, she proposed a high-stakes match between the two most famous golfers of the day, Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch) and Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill). Local businessmen sponsoring the match insist that a local golfer be added to the card, and Junuh is drafted for the position, but it soon becomes obvious that his game is just a shadow of its former glory. When things seem hopeless, a mysterious gentleman named Bagger Vance (Will Smith) volunteers to serve as Junuh's caddy and coach, using a mixture of ancient wisdom and past-life knowledge to help Junuh "remember" the swing he's lost.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (September 1^st), When a kingpin threatens New York City, a news reporter finds a quad of mutants which makes an alliance to unravel Shredder's plan as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Cold Mountain (September 1^st), In the waning days of the American Civil War, a wounded soldier (Jude Law) embarks on a perilous journey back home to Cold Mountain, North Carolina to reunite with his sweetheart (Nicole Kidman).

Mr. Church (September 1^st), Mr. Church tells the story of a unique friendship that develops when a little girl and her dying mother retain the services of a talented cook - Henry Joseph Church (Eddie Murphy). What begins as a six month arrangement instead spans into fifteen years and creates a family bond that lasts forever.

World Trade Center (September 1^st), Refusing to bow down to terrorism, rescuers (Nicolas Cage) and family of the victims press forward. Their mission of rescue and recovery is driven by the faith that under each piece of rubble, a co-worker, a friend, a family member may be found.

Maggie (September 1^st), A teenage girl (Abigail Breslin) in the Midwest becomes infected by an outbreak of a disease that slowly turns the infected into cannibalistic zombies. During her transformation, her loving father (Arnold Schwarzenegger) stays by her side.

Astro Boy (September 1^st) Set in futuristic Metro City, the tale of a young robot (Freddie Highmore) with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist named Tenma (Nicolas Cage). Powered by positive “blue” energy, he is endowed with super strength, X-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly. Embarking on a journey in search of acceptance, Astro Boy encounters many other colorful characters along the way. Through his adventures, he learns the joys and emotions of being human, and gains the strength to embrace his destiny. Ultimately learning his friends and family are in danger, Astro Boy marshals his awesome super powers and returns to Metro City in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and to understand what it takes to be a hero.

Melba (September 1^st), Newly divorced Melba (Melba Moore) is raising her pre-teen daughter Tracy with the help of her mother Rose. Besides hanging out with her long-time best friend Susan, she works at a NYC visitor center with Jack and Gil.

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 Crackle Plus, 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, Chicken Soup for the Soul Unscripted, APlus.com and Halcyon Television. 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.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of management and are not predictions of actual performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those risks set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation 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.

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

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

FAQ

What new titles are being released on Crackle in September 2021?

Crackle will release 'The Machine' and 'The Jesus Rolls' on September 1, and 'Taboo' on September 15, 2021.

How many platforms will Crackle be available on after the September expansion?

Crackle will expand its distribution to over 64 platforms.

What are the themes of the new Crackle channels launching in September 2021?

The new channels include themes such as 'Women Rule the Screen' and 'From Book to Screen'.

Which major devices support Crackle after the expansion?

Crackle will be available on devices including Amazon FireTV, RokuTV, Apple TV, and Smart TVs.

Is Crackle available in hotel rooms?

Yes, Crackle is available in approximately 500,000 hotel rooms in the Marriott Bonvoy chain.