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 significant new programming license deals for Crackle Plus, acquiring approximately 1,600 hours of content from notable producers including KDMG and Endemol Shine. This expansion adds classic films and series such as Night of the Living Dead and McLeod’s Daughters to an already robust library exceeding 80,000 hours of programming. The enhanced catalog aims to attract more viewers, enriching the platform's offering across various devices in the U.S.

Positive

• Acquisition of 1,600 hours of new content, enhancing viewership potential.
• Overall content library increases to over 80,000 hours, strengthening competitive position in AVOD market.
• Inclusion of popular titles like Night of the Living Dead and McLeod’s Daughters likely to attract a broader audience.

Negative

• None.

COS COB, Conn., Sept. 22, 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 approximately 1,600 hours of content from companies including KDMG, Endemol Shine, The Film Detective, Arclight, and TBN.

The 1,600 hours of content includes movies and series with must-see programs like Night of the Living Dead, Charade, and House on Haunted Hill from The Film Detective, Legion of Honor from KDMG, The Omega Code from TBN, Dance of the Dragon, Ghost Rituals, and Dinosaur Island from Arclight, and eight seasons of the acclaimed Australian drama series McLeod’s Daughters as well as three seasons of the popular reality series Flavor of Love from Endemol Shine International.

The above titles join the existing library for a total of over 80,000 hours of content available to Crackle Plus. This includes original and exclusive programming such as Spides, Corporate Animals, The Sonata, Blue Iguana, 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.

“Our viewers who come to Crackle Plus seeking quality scripted television, feature films, and reality television will be happy to binge on these newly added titles including Night of the Living Dead from The Film Detective, and acclaimed Australian drama series McLeod’s Daughters.” said Richard De Croce, senior vice president of programming for 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 80,000 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. 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 are the new programming license deals announced by CSSE?

CSSE has entered into deals acquiring approximately 1,600 hours of content for Crackle Plus.

Which companies are involved in the new content deals for Crackle Plus?

The deals include content from KDMG, Endemol Shine, The Film Detective, Arclight, and TBN.

How many hours of content does Crackle Plus offer now?

With the new deals, Crackle Plus has expanded its library to over 80,000 hours of content.

What popular shows and movies are included in the new content?

The new content includes titles like Night of the Living Dead and McLeod’s Daughters.

How does the new programming impact CSSE's market position?

The expansion of content is expected to enhance CSSE's competitive edge in the AVOD market.