SILVER SPRING, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CuriosityStream Inc. (“CuriosityStream” or the “Company”), the home of award-winning content in the full-category of non-fiction and factual programming, today announced that it is currently serving 10,512,340 paying subscribers. This paying subscriber count does not include registrants who are under free-trial. Growth is accelerating, and the company expects to continue its substantial subscriber gains through the end of this year and throughout 2020. The company also announced today that it has partnered with Millicom for upcoming launches in 9 Latin American countries.
CuriosityStream, an independent media enterprise created by Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks, is undergoing rapid distribution growth due to its implementation of a bundled partnership fee plan through which distributors can provide the CuriosityStream SVOD service to all basic customers or to any significant customer segment. In addition to its partnership with Millicom, CuriosityStream’s affiliate partners who have already implemented the new “bundled” distribution plan include Altice USA and Suddenlink in the United States, StarHub in Singapore, Totalplay in Mexico, Airtel in India, Multichoice’s DStv across Africa, Liberty Global / FLOW in the Caribbean, and REV TV on Cable Bahamas. Additional carriage agreements are expected to be announced in the weeks and months ahead.
Clint Stinchcomb, President and CEO of CuriosityStream, stated: “As we have traveled the world to meet with cable, satellite, and mobile distributors, it became crystal clear to us that video providers are searching for impactful ways to serve the enormous appetite of their customers for universally-appealing factual content. Given the quality of our programming, our low wholesale cost compared with other providers, the enormous desire for on-demand streaming content and short-form factual choices for mobile, we are currently on a high growth trajectory. Our early success in growing paying subscribers through distributors is attributable, I believe, to the flexibility we offer our affiliates through a ‘partnership fee’ that allows distributors to use our content however they need to support their revenue and sub growth strategies.”
John Hendricks, Founder and Chairman of CuriosityStream, stated: “We are thrilled to play an integral role in the plans by video distributors who are adapting their platforms to the unstoppable quest by consumers for quality content on demand. We are now implementing our plan to be a full partner with our U.S. and global distribution affiliates in meeting their need for a high-quality factual content provider who can help drive video customer signups and retention, provide ‘stickiness’ to broadband and mobile customer offerings, and lower wholesale content costs. We expect that the ‘bundled’ distribution model launched first internationally and then in the U.S. will continue to roll out worldwide at a significant pace.”
CuriosityStream’s SVOD platform offers a menu of over 2,800 premium factual and non-fiction titles that cover the full breadth and depth of the genre from science and space to history and wildlife to food and lifestyle.
Subscribers are treated to CuriosityStream’s over 900 exclusive, original productions including the Emmy Award-winning STEPHEN HAWKING’S FAVORITE PLACES, AGE OF BIG CATS, DEEP TIME HISTORY, DAVID ATTENBOROUGH’S LIGHT ON EARTH, and THE WOODSTOCK BUS, plus the newest ongoing original series BRIGHT NOW – compelling short-form feature stories ideal for mobile viewers watching on the go. And coming in early 2020 – the original 3-part series THE HISTORY OF HOME, as well as the original 8-part series MUCK CITY, the real stories and experiences behind the development of amazing young athletes living in a very challenging environment.
CuriosityStream also features titles from some of the world’s best factual filmmakers including AMAZING DINOWORLD and NEXT WORLD WITH MICHIO KAKU from NHK, THE STORY OF EUROPE and HOLY WAR from ZDFE, and WILD WEATHER and THE MONA LISA MYSTERY from Terra Mater Factual Studios. The library also includes international film festival winners such as SUSHI: THE GLOBAL CATCH, THE TRIALS OF MUHAMMAD ALI, and TOWER.
Commenting on CuriosityStream’s content, John Hendricks stated: “In 2014, CuriosityStream began a 6-year effort to aggregate a curated library of the highest-quality factual content in all the genres of factual television from the world’s leading producers. Our licensed rights to award-winning content have contract terms that expire well into the future. For example, David Attenborough’s landmark LIGHT ON EARTH feature documentary will be enjoyed by CuriosityStream viewers through 2026 and NHK’s stunning 8K series, THE BODY, will be available on CuriosityStream until 2033. And we expect to renew many of these long-shelf-life productions at the end of their current contract terms. In early 2015, we launched our original productions through Curiosity Studios, a 5-year effort that, to date, has created over 900 titles in which we own all media rights, worldwide, in perpetuity.”
Regarding language customization, Clint Stinchcomb stated: “By the end of 1st quarter 2020, CuriosityStream programs are projected to be languaged in Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin and Cantonese. While we are localizing in response to contractual distributor requirements, we have little doubt that local languaging options will also increase the engagement and acquisition of CuriosityStream’s international DTC subscribers.”
In addition to its new “bundled” carriage plan for U.S. and international distributors, CuriosityStream continues to aggressively sell direct to consumers with monthly price plans ranging from $2.99 (HD streaming) to $9.99 (4K streaming) and a low-cost annual HD subscription plan of $19.99.
About CuriosityStream
Launched by media visionary John Hendricks, CuriosityStream is the world’s leading independent factual media company. Our documentary series and features cover every topic from space exploration to adventure to the secret life of pets, empowering viewers of all ages to fuel their passions and explore new ones. With thousands of titles, many in Ultra HD 4K, including exclusive originals, CuriosityStream features stunning visuals and unrivaled storytelling to demystify science, nature, history, technology, society, and lifestyle. CuriosityStream is available worldwide to watch on TV, desktop, mobile and tablets. For more information, visit CuriosityStream.com.
Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This communication and any oral statements made regarding the subject of this communication may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities that CuriosityStream assumes, plans, expects, believes, intends, projects, estimates or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, could, should or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. CuriosityStream’s actual results may differ materially from its expectations, estimates and projections, and consequently you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this communication include statements regarding CuriosityStream’s expected subscriber growth, future content and pricing, and other future actions, projects, strategies, and performance, as well as the outcome of contingencies such as future financial results. The forward-looking statements in this communication are based on management’s current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events, and involve significant factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from such statements. Most of these factors are outside of the control of CuriosityStream and are difficult to predict, and include, among other things, (1) the Company’s limited operating and brand history, (2) the intense competition present in the Company’s industry and its ability, in the face of such competition, to acquire new subscribers and retain existing subscribers, (3) the Company’s ability to license streaming content or other rights upon terms acceptable to it, (4) the Company’s ability to enter into distribution agreements upon terms acceptable to it, and (5) other risks and uncertainties identified in the Company’s communications to its shareholders. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. CuriosityStream cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Any of these factors could cause CuriosityStream’s actual results and plans to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, CuriosityStream can give no assurance that its future results will be as estimated. CuriosityStream does not intend to, and disclaims any obligation to, correct, update or revise any information contained herein to reflect any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, other than as required by applicable law.
