Company:Sony Crackle

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Crackle, Inc.
Sony Crackle
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryEntertainment
FoundedMay 4, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-05-04)
Headquarters
Culver City, California
,
United States
Area served
North America
Central America
South America
ServicesDigital streaming
OwnerSony
ParentSony Pictures Entertainment
Websitewww.sonycrackle.com

Sony Crackle is a United States-based subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment which provides ad-supported video entertainment content in the form of streaming media. Its library consists of original, long form content as well as programming acquired from other production companies. The streaming network is available in 21 countries including Latin America and is accessible on connected devices including mobile (iOS or Android), tablet, smart TVs, desktop and through gaming consoles. It can also be seen in-flight on American Airlines' and in Marriott Hotels.

Originally known as Grouper, and later renamed Crackle, the name of the streaming service was officially changed to Sony Crackle on January 14, 2018.[1]

History

Sony Crackle was founded as Grouper by Josh Felser, Dave Samuel, Mike Sitrin and Aviv Eyal in 2004. In August 2006, Sony purchased the online video site Grouper for $65 million.[2][3] In July 2007, Sony announced that Grouper would be re-branded and re-purposed as Crackle, a multi-platform video-entertainment network and studio, featuring full-length movies and television shows from Sony's library, and would produce original content made for the Internet.[4][5][2][3] In late 2008, San Francisco based Crackle was moved to Sony's Culver City base to be formally folded into the studio's digital content operations.[3]

In March 2011, Crackle became available for streaming across PS3, Roku boxes, Sony Blu-ray players and Bravia TVs.[6] In April 2011, Crackle announced that they would release apps for iOS and Android systems in June of the same year.[7][8][9] Crackle also partnered with Xbox Live, making its content available for Xbox 360.[9] In June 2013, Crackle released an app for the BlackBerry 10 platform.[10][11] In December 2013, Crackle made its content available for the Apple TV set-top box.[12][13]

In January 2012, Crackle added Animax to its content, available to viewers in the US and Canada.[9][14] Towards the end of 2013, the Animax branding was removed. In Australia, Crackle became the free-to-air home of Sony's popular American soap opera Days of Our Lives after the television broadcaster Nine Network axed the series after 45 years.[15]

Several anime shows from Funimation (some outsourced from Animax and others, since November 20, 2013, directly from Funimation) are streamed on Sony Crackle.[16] On July 31, 2017, Sony Pictures Television announced that it would buy a controlling 95% stake in Funimation for $143 million, a deal that was approved by the United States Department of Justice on August 22, 2017,[17] and closed on October 27, 2017.

On April 1, 2014, Sony Pictures Television ceased its Crackle operations in the UK and Australia almost four years after Crackle had expanded into the UK.[18][19] Crackle UK had struggled to gain a large audience due to other competitors like LoveFilm and Netflix.[18] Two days later, NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution struck a multi-year deal with Crackle to have more than 140 of NBCUni's feature films streamed.[20][21] but Crackle shut down its UK service in April 2014 without prior notice.[22]

On April 30, 2014, Crackle announced it would begin carrying Sports Jeopardy!, which as its name implies is a sports-themed version of the syndicated game show Jeopardy!, beginning that fall. Dan Patrick will host the series.[23] Approximately one week after the cancellation of the theatrical release of The Interview, in the aftermath of the Sony hack, the New York Post reported that Sony would release the movie for free, on Crackle.[24]

On April 14, 2015, Crackle held its first-ever upfront presentation. During the event, it announced a new feature dubbed "Always On"; a linear, ad-supported, internet television channel similar to Vevo TV. Among the new programs announced was Crackle's first animated series, SuperMansion; their first hour long scripted drama, The Art of More; and Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser, a sequel to 2001's Joe Dirt being touted as the first ever "made-for-digital" movie sequel.[25]

On June 4, 2015, Crackle announced a new collaboration between Moat and Freewheel in the industry's first-ever comprehensive system to track viewable ad measurement across connected TV.

On October 8, 2015, Crackle premiered "SuperMansion", a stop-motion animated comedy television series created by Matthew Senreich and Zeb Wells. The series stars Bryan Cranston, Heidi Gardner, Tucker Gilmore, Keegan-Michael Key, Tom Root, Yvette Nicole Brown, Zeb Wells, and Jillian Bell. Emmy-nominated season two premiered on February 16, 2017 followed by an original Halloween special, "SuperMansion: Drag Me to Halloween", that premiered on October 5. Season three is expected in 2018.

On April 20, 2016, Crackle announced an innovative advertising solution that replaces convention at their upfront presentation called, "BreakFree" advertising. The BreakFree experience promotes binge viewing of Crackle's original shows while creating a story narrative for advertisers.

In addition, Crackle unveiled a new virtual reality strategy allowing advertisers to reach consumers through dynamic VR experiences. Designed to immerse and engage viewers, Sony's ad-supported streaming service is the first ever AVOD network to provide brands with advertising opportunities and marketing initiatives that take advantage of this latest disruptive technology.

On January 17, 2017, it was announced that Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee would move to Netflix.[26]

On April 19, 2017, the AVOD service released results of new research study that identifies a new and highly coveted psychographic segment called "Connected Entertainment Enthusiasts". This segment is the first generation of gamers who use the game console beyond gaming. It is the preferred entertainment hub of their household for streaming TV, movies and for video games making them hard to reach through traditional media outlets. In addition, Crackle announced a VR companion piece to their original drama series "Snatch", which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2017.

Crackle also announced at the 2017 Upfront presentation that the free ad-supported service would greenlight new scripted original drama, "The Oath", written and created by former Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy Joe Halpin. Executive produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and his G-Unit Film & Television Inc., the series explores a different kind of subculture – gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend. The drama stars Sean Bean, Ryan Kwanten, Cory Hardrict, Arlen Escarpeta, Katrina Law and J.J. Soria. The series premiered March 8, 2018.

In November 2017, Eric Berger was upped to Chief Digital Officer, Sony Pictures Television Networks, in addition to his role as GM, Crackle.[27]

On January 14, 2018, Crackle presented at the Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter 2018 Press Tour in Pasadena, CA where Eric Berger announced that the service would change its name to Sony Crackle in Spring of 2018. In addition to presenting a panel in support of "The Oath", the network also released a new trailer and key art for the 10-episode series that premiered on March 8, 2018. In addition, the network announced the development of two new series: "The Butcher" produced by Douglas Urbanski and Gary Oldman and "Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy" starring and written by Rob Riggle. The network also announced the acquisition of the comedy-horror Office Uprising for release summer 2018.[28] 

Returning series news included the start of production on season two of "Snatch" in Spain's Costa Del Sol and the announcement that Kevin Connolly will direct several episodes.[29] Also, season three of "StartUp" begins shooting this month in Puerto Rico with new additions to the cast including Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino.[30] Plus, all-new weekly episodes of "SuperMansion" will return beginning April 12th, with special guest Mikey Day, and the network announced plans for a new special in summer 2018.

Snatch VR Heist Experience debuted on PlayStation VR January 16th[31], and a VR experience for "In the Cloud" launched February 1st, ahead of the February 8th movie premiere.

On March 8, 2018, Sony Crackle's original series "The Oath" premiered. On March 7th, Sony Crackle hosted a premiere event for the series on the Sony lot in Culver City. Guests included executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson as well as the cast and crew.

On April 24, 2018, Sony Crackle held an upfront presentation at Sony Headquarters in New York.

Programming

Sony Crackle features programming in the following key genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Horror and Sci-fi.[32]

Original programming

Movie and TV library

Sony Crackle features many Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Classics, and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions titles and Sony-owned television series like Damages, Rescue Me, The Shield, and Seinfeld.[33][34][35] Its content refreshes monthly, with titles being added and taken down.[36][32][35]

Content partners

  • 20th Century Fox
  • Aniplex[37]
  • Discotek Media
  • Entertainment One/Alliance Films (Canada only)
  • FOX Digital[38]
  • Funimation[16]
  • Legendary Pictures/Legendary Digital Media
  • Lions Gate Entertainment[39]
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer[39]
  • Miramax
  • Morgan Creek Productions
  • Paramount Pictures
  • RatPac-Dune Entertainment
  • Red Bull[40]
  • SnagFilms[41][42][43]
  • StudioCanal (Europe only)
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • TOEI[44]
  • The Weinstein Company/Dimension Films
  • Universal Studios[20]
  • Village Roadshow Entertainment Group
  • Warner Bros./New Line Cinema

Availability

Sony Crackle is available in 21 countries and three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese.[45][11]

Sony Crackle officially launched in Canada in September 2010.[46] Beginning in late 2015, several of the service's original series were made available only through local services Shomi and Crave TV.[47][48] Following the closure of Shomi in fall 2016, new productions continued to be released exclusively on Crave TV, as well as Amazon Prime Video and Super Channel.[49][50][51] Crackle's Canadian operations shut down on June 28, 2018, with its content moving to Bell Media's new CTV Movies and CTV Vault services.[52]

As of late 2016, Sony Crackle is no longer offered as a free service in Latin America. Instead, it is offered as an ad-free premium service.[53][54] It is required to be a subscriber of a pay TV provider that has partnered with Sony Crackle in order to register as a member to access and pay for the service.[55]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 14, 2018). "Crackle Officially Changes Name To Sony Crackle - TCA". http://deadline.com/2018/01/crackle-name-change-sony-crackle-tca-1202243092/. Retrieved January 14, 2018. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Sony's Grouper becomes Crackle, a pathway to Hollywood". VentureBeat. 2007-01-16. https://venturebeat.com/2007/07/16/sonys-grouper-becomes-crackle-a-pathway-to-hollywood/.. Retrieved 2011-10-24. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Sony restructuring Crackle online video hub". Reuters. 29 October 2008. https://www.reuters.com/article/2008/10/29/us-media-crackle-idUSTRE49S2QX20081029?feedType=RSS&feedName=internetNews. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  4. ↑ "NewFronts: Sony's Crackle Takes David Arquette to 'Cleaners'". Variety. https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/newfronts-sonys-crackle-takes-david-arquette-to-cleaners-1200447034/. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  5. ↑ "Sony Pictures Bringing Online Video to Boxee". Mashable. http://mashable.com/2009/12/02/boxee-crackle/. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  6. ↑ Lawler, Richard (2011-04-18). "Crackle starts streaming all of its free movies to Roku, PS3, Sony TVs and Blu-ray players.". AOLtech. https://www.engadget.com/2011/03/29/crackle-starts-streaming-free-movies-to-roku-ps3-sony-tvs-and/. Retrieved 2011-10-21. 
  7. ↑ Edgar, Cervantes (2011-04-18). "Watch movies and shows on your phone free with Crackle". Android and me. http://androidandme.com/2011/06/news/watch-movies-and-shows-on-your-phone-for-free-with-crackle/. Retrieved 2011-10-21. 
  8. ↑ "Sony's new Crackle app for iPad and iPhone lets you take 'Seinfeld' with you". USA Today. 18 April 2011. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2010/04/sonys-new-crackle-app-for-ipad-and-iphone-lets-you-take-seinfeld-with-you/1#.Ul7IVz7irv4. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Crackle bringing free movies to Xbox Live". The Gamers' Temple. http://www.gamerstemple.com/news/12089/crackle-bringing-free-movies-to-xbox-live. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  10. ↑ "Sony's Crackle arrives on BlackBerry 10, reminds us to not watch Bad Boys II". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2013/07/03/sony-crackle-blackberry-10/. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Crackle streaming TV and Movies app arrives for BlackBerry 10". CrackBerry. http://crackberry.com/crackle-streaming-tv-and-movies-arrives-blackberry-10. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  12. ↑ "Apple Adds ABC, Bloomberg, Crackle, and KOR TV Channels to Apple TV". MacRumors. http://www.macrumors.com/2013/12/11/apple-adds-abc-bloomberg-crackle-and-kor-tv-channels-to-apple-tv/. Retrieved 11 December 2013. 
  13. ↑ Ingraham, Nathan (2013-12-11). "Apple TV adds new channels for ABC, Crackle, Bloomberg, and KORTV". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2013/12/11/5200092/apple-tv-adds-new-channels-abc-crackle-bloomberg-kortv. Retrieved 2014-04-15. 
  14. ↑ Team, The Deadline (17 January 2012). "Sony's Crackle Adds Animax Anime Channel". http://www.deadline.com/2012/01/sonys-crackle-adds-animax-anime-channel/. 
  15. ↑ "Nine axes Days of our Lives after 45 years". TV Tonight. http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/04/nine-axes-days-of-our-lives-after-45-years.html. Retrieved 2014-04-15. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Crackle Service Streams Funimation Anime on Xbox Live". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-02-06/crackle-service-streams-funimation-anime-on-xbox-live. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  17. ↑ Eggerton, John. "Feds OK Sony Purchase of Funimation" (in en). http://www.multichannel.com/news/policy/feds-ok-sony-purchase-funimation/414752. Retrieved 27 October 2017. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Adie, Nigel (March 31, 2014). "Sony Pictures Television shutting down Crackle". http://www.cable.co.uk/news/sony-pictures-television-shutting-down-crackle-801708095/. 
  19. ↑ Briel, Robert (March 25, 2014). "Sony UK closes down Crackle VOD". http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/03/25/sony-uk-closes-down-crackle-vod/. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "NBCUniversal Inks Film Streaming Deal With Sony's Crackle". Deadline. http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/crackle-universal-movies-streaming-deal. 
  21. ↑ "G'Day Crackle! Sony's Online Network Opens Up to Australia, UK". http://www.tubefilter.com/2010/06/08/gday-crackle-sonys-online-network-opens-up-to-australia-uk/. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  22. ↑ Adie, Nigel. "Sony Pictures Television shutting down Crackle". http://www.cable.co.uk/news/sony-pictures-television-shutting-down-crackle-801708095/. Retrieved 2014-04-15. 
  23. ↑ "Sony making a sports version of Jeopardy!". April 30, 2014. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SPORTS_JEOPARDY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT. 
  24. ↑ Sauchelli, Dana (21 December 2014). "Sony plans to release 'The Interview' on Crackle for free". New York Post. https://nypost.com/2014/12/21/sony-plans-to-release-the-interview-on-crackle-for-free/. Retrieved 21 December 2014. 
  25. ↑ "Crackle Bridges The Gap Between Linear TV And On Demand With New Robust Slate Of Originals And Revolutionary 'Always On' Experience For Connected TV". Broadcaster Magazine. 14 April 2015. http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/press-releases/story.aspx?id=1003569884&er=NA. Retrieved 15 April 2015. 
  26. ↑ "Inside Jerry Seinfeld's $100 million decision to jump to Netflix". Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/jerry-seinfeld-move-to-netflix-comedians-in-cars-getting-coffee-deal-2017-1. 
  27. ↑ Spangler, Todd (2017-11-14). "Crackle GM Eric Berger Tapped for Expanded Digital Role at Sony Pictures Television Networks" (in en-US). Variety. https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/eric-berger-crackle-sony-pictures-television-networks-chief-digital-officer-1202614486/. 
  28. ↑ Blyth, Antonia (2018-01-14). "Crackle GM Eric Berger Announces 'The Butcher' From Gary Oldman; 'Office Uprising' - TCA" (in en-US). Deadline. http://deadline.com/2018/01/crackle-the-butcher-gary-oldman-office-uprising-tca-1202243117/. 
  29. ↑ "Kevin Connolly to direct several episodes of 'Snatch'" (in en). UPI. https://www.upi.com/Kevin-Connolly-to-direct-several-episodes-of-Snatch/2411516046313/. 
  30. ↑ Ramos, Dino-Ray (2018-01-14). "'StartUp': Mira Sorvino To Guest On Season 3 Of Sony Crackle Thriller - TCA" (in en-US). Deadline. http://deadline.com/2018/01/startup-mira-sorvino-sony-crackle-adam-brody-ron-perlman-tca-1202243119/. 
  31. ↑ Hayden, Scott (2018-01-17). "'Snatch' VR Experience Comes to PSVR, Featuring Rupert Grint of 'Harry Potter' Fame" (in en-US). Road to VR. https://www.roadtovr.com/snatch-vr-experience-comes-psvr-featuring-rupert-grint-harry-potter-fame/. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Stream movies and TV shows for free". CNet. http://reviews.cnet.com/software/crackle-android/4505-3513_7-35509616.html. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  33. ↑ Hale, Mike (14 October 2013). "Taking Killers and Thrillers to the Web". New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/arts/television/crackle-a-netflix-competitor-offers-new-programming.html?_r=0. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  34. ↑ "Crackle Brings the Action With Extraction, First Original Movie". Streaming Media. http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/Editorial/Featured-Articles/Crackle-Brings-the-Action-With-Extraction-First-Original-Movie-92449.aspx. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Free movies on iOS with Sony's Crackle app". TUAW. http://www.tuaw.com/2012/10/14/free-movies-on-ios-from-crackle/. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  36. ↑ Wilson, Jeffrey L.. "Crackle (for iPad)". PCMag. https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383970,00.asp. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  37. ↑ "Aniplex of America Panel". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2011/new-york-comic-con/4. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  38. ↑ "DirecTV sports standoff gets digital satire: Satcaster, Fox team for branded entertainment series". Chicago Tribune. 29 August 2012. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-29/entertainment/sns-201208290100reedbusivarietynvr1118058383-20120829_1_satcaster-jon-gieselman-mvpd. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Kramer, Staci D.. "YouTube Meets Hulu, Sort Of; Shows Premium Pay Potential". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/2009/04/16/youtube-tv-shows-movies-technology-paidcontent.html. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  40. ↑ "Red Bull's high flier". C21Media. http://www.c21media.net/high-flier/. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  41. ↑ "Snagfilms adds VOD berths demand dish network". Multichannel News. http://www.multichannel.com/vod/snagfilms-adds-vod-berths-demand-dish-network/126362. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  42. ↑ "SnagFilms expands distribution, capabilities and executive team". Digital Media Wire. http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2012/03/27/snagfilms-expands-distribution-capabilities-and-executive-team. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  43. ↑ "SnagFilms Extends Distribution With Multichannel VOD And Streaming Deals". Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131216145428/http://paidcontent.org/2012/03/27/419-snagfilms-extends-distribution-with-multichannel-vod-and-streaming-deal/. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  44. ↑ "Interlude Anime on Crackle". Crunchyroll. http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/06/11-1/brand-new-anime-series-on-crackle. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  45. ↑ "Crackle at Sony Pictures Television". iab. http://www.iab.net/digitalcontentnewfronts/crackle. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  46. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (September 7, 2010). "Sony's Crackle comes to Canada". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sonys-crackle-comes-canada-27516. Retrieved June 28, 2018. 
  47. ↑ "The Art of More to Debut in Canada on shomi". TVDramas.ws. Worldscreen. November 12, 2015. http://worldscreen.com/tvdrama/the-art-of-more-to-debut-in-canada-on-shomi/. Retrieved February 23, 2017. 
  48. ↑ Daly, Ryan (April 18, 2016). "The Dudes From Robot Chicken Have A New Series On Shomi & It's Definitely Worth Your Time". 92.1 Rock. Rogers Media. http://www.921rock.ca/2016/04/18/the-dudes-from-robot-chicken-have-a-new-series-on-shomi-its-definitely-worth-your-time/. Retrieved February 23, 2017. 
  49. ↑ "Crime Drama SNATCH Becomes the Latest CraveTV Original, Beginning April 7". Crave TV. Newswire. March 17, 2017. http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/crime-drama-snatch-becomes-the-latest-cravetv-original-beginning-april-7-616432314.html. Retrieved March 17, 2017. 
  50. ↑ Hardy, Ian (December 14, 2016). "Amazon Prime Video in Canada: Complete TV and movie list". MobileSyrup. https://mobilesyrup.com/2016/12/14/amazon-prime-video-in-canada-complete-tv-and-movie-list/. Retrieved June 28, 2018. 
  51. ↑ Elmes, John (January 11, 2018). "Super Channel buys Mercedes, takes Oath". C21 Media. http://www.c21media.net/super-channel-buys-mercedes-takes-oath/. Retrieved June 28, 2018. 
  52. ↑ Roettgers, Janko (27 June 2018). "Sony Crackle Shutting Down in Canada". Variety. https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/crackle-canada-shutting-down-1202858094/. Retrieved 26 June 2018. 
  53. ↑ @todotvnews. "How Crackle Moved from OTT to SVOD" (in en). http://www.todotvnews.com/news/How-Crackle-Moved-from-OTT-to-SVOD.html. 
  54. ↑ "¿Por qué Crackle ya no es gratis?". https://soporte.crackle.com/hc/es-419/articles/229329948--Por-qu%C3%A9-Crackle-ya-no-es-gratis-. Retrieved 20 April 2018. 
  55. ↑ "¿Qué necesito para ver Crackle?". https://soporte.crackle.com/hc/es-419/articles/229333208--Qu%C3%A9-necesito-para-ver-Crackle-. Retrieved 20 April 2018. 

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