Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s Free Streaming Company Crackle Plus Presents Growth Plans at 2021 NewFronts
Crackle Plus Launches New Chicken Soup for the Soul AVOD Network with Premium, Diverse Content
Previews New Crackle Consumer Interface and Plans for Added Distribution to 34 New Consumer Touchpoints by the End of 2021
Premium content offerings
Crackle Plus has doubled its content offerings in the last year, and added over 200 hours of original and exclusive programming with a brand new slate to come in the coming months. With award-winning original unscripted programming, sports docu-series and feature films, Crackle has built a deep pipeline of unique, diverse and inspiring new content to entertain and empower its viewers. In 2020, Crackle’s originals and exclusives accounted for almost 30% of all streams and 20% of all delivered ad impressions.
“As part of Chicken Soup for the
Enhanced Crackle viewing experiences
The company is making a large investment into innovative technology to enhance the product and user experience with its consumer-first strategy. In Q3, Crackle will re-launch with brand new experiences for both smartphones and television. The redesigned Crackle connected TV applications include improved ways to display content, better search recommendations, a comprehensive content calendar and a sleek new user experience.
The Crackle smartphone app will feature a new feed on the home page to keep viewers up-to-date on upcoming content and provide new recommendation mechanics. The super casting feature also allows users to browse for content on smartphones and automatically play back on any device. Additional updates include initiatives to increase user sign-in, moving from client-side to server-side advertising for better and more unique ad partnerships and a new loyalty program to reward devoted users.
Expanded distribution
This year, Crackle Plus will add 34 new VOD and digital linear touch points for Crackle, Popcornflix, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul AVOD including endpoints on Plex, Philo, Xumo, fuboTV, Comcast Flex, Xfinity and Redbox as well as many others. VIZIO will be the exclusive launch partner for Crackle’s new app and user experience. The unique partnership includes a Crackle-branded remote button, inclusion on VIZIO’s retail packaging and joint testing of content and creative performance with the VIZIO SmartCast audience.
“VIZIO and Chicken Soup for the
Chicken Soup for the Soul AVOD launch
Chicken Soup for the Soul, a brand new AVOD network in the Crackle Plus portfolio, will launch this fall. The Chicken Soup for the Soul AVOD network and FAST linear channels will reflect what the brand’s mission has been since day one – to change the world one story at a time. The programming showcased on the network will be inspiring, uplifting and informative content all designed to help viewers live a better life. Users will find a large selection of scripted movies and TV shows for adults and families, anchored in part by the award-winning library from
“Chicken Soup for the Soul is about that feeling of comfort, goodwill and trust, all combined with entertainment,” said
Unique ad experiences
In addition to its owned and operated AVOD services, Crackle Plus has partnered with an expanding group of premium media brands – giving advertisers direct access to the best in advertising-supported streaming. This unique portfolio of partners includes some of the largest OTT networks – each bringing long-form, premium programming for free.
As a trusted ad partner of anime mega brands Funimation and Crunchyroll, Crackle offers advertisers a direct buying opportunity with full transparency on where and when its media runs, with access to “communities of interest” at unparalleled scale and reach in OTT.
Crackle Plus also recently expanded their partnership with the growing streaming brand Plex to sell advertising across their entire platform.
Crackle Plus continues to partner with iSpot in over 60 campaigns in Q4 of 2020. Crackle Plus found that when brands had similar exposure on both traditional and linear TV and Crackle Plus networks in the same time period, there was virtually zero overlap. Brands also paid a fraction of the cost to reach new households on Crackle at a far lower frequency.
“We are humbled to work alongside Crackle Plus within their ad sales engine and inventory valuation approach to capture audiences,” said
Crackle Plus has also announced a new partnership with TransUnion to bring first-party data and best in class identity products to the connected TV space.
“Crackle Plus’ audiences are unique, not just incremental,” said
Crackle Plus linear and VOD networks are available in the
CRACKLE PLUS, A
Crackle Plus owns and operates ad-supported VOD networks Crackle, Popcornflix and Chicken Soup for the Soul, making it one of the largest AVOD streaming platforms in the
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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
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Source: Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc.