Kanopy
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Streaming media, Video on demand |
| Founded | January 1, 2008 in Scarborough, Western Australia |
| Founder | Olivia Humphrey |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States |
Key people | Kevin Sayar (CEO) |
| Products | Streaming video platform for public and academic libraries |
| Owner | KKR (via OverDrive) |
| Parent | OverDrive |
Kanopy is a streaming video platform available on demand that caters to public and academic libraries by offering a collection of films, television programs, educational content, and documentaries. Users can access the service at no cost, while libraries incur charges based on a pay-per-view system designed to remunerate content producers and rights holders.
Established in 2008 in Scarborough, Western Australia, by entrepreneur Olivia Humphrey, Kanopy was originally created as an educational resource for higher education institutions. The company began as a distributor of DVDs before shifting its focus to streaming services in 2010. Following its initial success in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Kanopy expanded into the United Kingdom and United States markets and moved its headquarters to San Francisco, with Humphrey maintaining her role as CEO.
In November 2019, leadership transitioned when Kevin Sayar succeeded Humphrey as CEO. Subsequently, on July 15, 2021, Kanopy was acquired by OverDrive, which operates under the ownership of KKR.
Services
Kanopy delivers tailored streaming websites to public libraries as well as colleges and universities, providing access to movies, television series, documentaries, and educational videos. Its platform includes features such as captions, transcripts, tools for creating clips, and playlist functionalities that allow users to produce, modify, and distribute content.
Business model
Access to Kanopy’s streaming service is complimentary for patrons of public libraries and users affiliated with academic institutions through their library membership. The platform operates on a "patron-driven acquisition" basis where institutions are billed per view—defined as any viewing lasting 30 seconds or longer—incurring a licensing fee. Pricing varies; estimates from 2019 suggested approximately $150 for a one-year license and $350 for a three-year license per title. Library administrators have access to an analytics dashboard that provides insights and budget management capabilities.
On July 1, 2019, Kanopy was discontinued by the New York Public Library system—including Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library—due to concerns over unpredictable expenses that were not financially sustainable.
Device support
Kanopy supports streaming across multiple platforms including desktop computers and mobile devices through web browsers compatible with HTML video. Additionally, it offers dedicated applications for Amazon Fire tablets and Fire Stick devices, Android, Apple iOS, Chromecast, and Roku.
See also
- Hoopla, a rival digital media platform
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2008 establishments in Australia
- 2021 mergers and acquisitions
- American companies established in 2008
- Companies based in San Francisco
- Mass media companies established in 2008
- Mass media companies of the United States
- Publishing companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Publishing companies established in 2008
- Streaming media systems
- Video on demand services
- Kohlberg Kravis Roberts companies