Jump to content

Crackle (service)

From Alfawiki
Crackle
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo streaming
PredecessorGrouper
Founded2004; 22 years ago (2004)
FounderJosh Felser, Dave Samuel, Mike Sitrin, Aviv Aiyal
Defunct2024 (2024)
FateClosure following Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation of parent company
Headquarters
United States
Area served
United States (limited availability post-2024 bankruptcy)
Key people
Eric Berger (General Manager from 2008)
ProductsVideo on demand, original programming
OwnerChicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (majority ownership since 2019)
ParentChicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment

Crackle was a U.S.-based video streaming platform initially launched in 2004 under the name Grouper. After being purchased by Sony Pictures in 2006, it was rebranded as Crackle the following year. The service underwent another name change to Sony Crackle in 2018. In March 2019, Sony divested a controlling interest to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, which led to the service reverting to the Crackle brand. Following Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s entry into Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in July 2024, Crackle was slated for closure by mid-2025, although limited availability in the U.S. was briefly maintained by the bankruptcy trustee.

History

Established in 2004 by Josh Felser, Dave Samuel, Mike Sitrin, and Aviv Aiyal, Grouper Networks specialized in encrypted peer-to-peer file sharing and multimedia streaming services. Sony purchased Grouper in August 2006 for $65 million and relaunched it as Crackle in July 2007, marketing it as a cross-platform video entertainment network. Eric Berger took on the role of general manager toward the end of 2008.

By 2011, Crackle had broadened its streaming reach to include Sony Bravia televisions, PlayStation 3 consoles, Roku devices, Blu-ray players, and Xbox 360 systems. In 2012, the platform incorporated Animax programming for audiences in the U.S. and Canada but discontinued this branding by early 2013. That same year saw Crackle debut on BlackBerry 10 and Apple TV devices.

Sony terminated Crackle’s UK operations in April 2014; meanwhile, in Australia, the service became the free-to-air broadcaster for Sony’s Days of Our Lives. Also during April 2014, Crackle developed Sports Jeopardy!, a sports-themed spin-off of Jeopardy! hosted by Dan Patrick.

In April 2015, Crackle launched "Always On," an ad-supported internet television channel, alongside announcing original productions including the animated series SuperMansion, scripted drama The Art of More, and movie sequel Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser. SuperMansion premiered in October 2015 featuring voice performances from Bryan Cranston and Keegan-Michael Key.

Crackle approved production of the original drama series The Oath in 2017, with executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson; it premiered in March 2018 starring Sean Bean and Ryan Kwanten.

The platform was rebranded as Sony Crackle at the start of 2018. In March 2019, Sony sold its majority ownership to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and restored the Crackle name. By December 2020, Sony had fully relinquished its remaining shares, transferring complete ownership to Chicken Soup for the Soul.

In April 2023, Chicken Soup for the Soul launched Crackle Connex, an advertising sales unit designed to provide performance analytics for ads displayed on its platform.

Amid financial struggles, Chicken Soup for the Soul reported a $636.6 million loss for fiscal year 2023 and warned that without new financing solutions, liquidation or bankruptcy could be inevitable. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 29, 2024 after missing payroll obligations and failing to secure additional funding. On July 10, 2024, proceedings shifted to Chapter 7 liquidation status, resulting in cessation of operations across subsidiaries including Crackle.

Programming

Owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Crackle operates alongside other video-on-demand services under Crackle Plus such as Popcornflix (ad-supported VOD), Truli, and Pivotshare (subscription VOD). Its content library spans multiple genres including action, comedy, crime, drama, horror, and science fiction.

Film and television catalog

Crackle's collection comprises movies and television series, many of which are exclusive, predominantly obtained from Sony Pictures and its affiliated studios such as Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems, and Sony Pictures Classics. The platform also presents "Crackle Original" productions including On the Ropes, Going from Broke, Hidden Heroes, The Oath, and Snatch. The selection is updated on a monthly basis.

Content partners


Service availability

During its tenure as Sony Crackle, the platform was accessible in 21 countries, offering content in three languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish. It debuted in Canada in September 2010. By the end of 2015, certain original shows became exclusive to regional platforms such as Crave TV and Shomi.

Operations in Canada concluded on June 28, 2018, with the programming migrating to Bell Media's CTV Movies and CTV Throwback services. Although Sony owns Crackle, the CTV application has not been launched on Sony’s PlayStation or Smart TV systems; however, it is available on Microsoft's Xbox One and Samsung Smart TV devices.

In Latin America, by late 2016, Crackle transitioned to a subscription-based, ad-free model requiring users to subscribe through a pay-TV provider affiliated with Sony Crackle. This service was ultimately terminated in the Latin American market on April 30, 2019.

See also

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Crackle_(service)&oldid=65538"