CuriosityStream

Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks built his fortune in the cable-TV business, but for years he has been looking to disrupt the industry with a Netflix-like online video offering.

Now, he is doing it. Mr. Hendricks, who retired last year from Discovery’s board, in March will launch CuriosityStream, a subscription video-on-demand service that will offer nonfiction shows about nature, history, science and technology. It will cost between $2.99 and $9.99 a month, depending on the resolution of the picture.


“With the success of Netflix, I just think the timing is right,” he said.


Like Netflix—or, for that matter, many cable channels these days—CuriosityStream will seek to distinguish itself with a handful of ambitious original series, though the bulk of its offerings will be acquired. The service will start out with 800 titles, about half of which will be short-form, roughly eight minutes long.


Unlike Netflix, however, CurosityStream won’t be spending billions on content. “We see our content investment being in the tens of millions,” he said, noting that nonfiction television is generally cheaper than scripted programming. The company plans to co-produce some of its originals, and work with producers such as Britain’s BBC and Japan’s NHK.

Mr. Hendricks, who founded Discovery in 1982, compared this moment in streaming video to the early days of cable, when first movers like HBO and ESPN carved out advantages in movies, sports and other categories. He says he hopes to be the dominant player in the nonfiction category of streaming.

He imagines that his brand of programming will be appealing to about 25% of the television market—“light” TV users that also tend to watch PBS. At the moment, he is aiming at people without pay-TV subscriptions, a market he estimates includes about 17 million households. But he also believes that about 10% of the roughly 100 million pay-TV households would like CuriosityStream on top of what they are already paying for.


Ultimately, he hopes to sign up between five million and seven million subscribers in two to five years, and get to 15 million to 20 million in a decade.

[I saw him on CNBC today, but this story is from January.  Ah, it launched today.]

 John Hendricks, the Founder of the Discovery Channel and former Chairman of Discovery Communications, announced the launch of his new, independent venture, CuriosityStream, the world's first ad-free subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) service for consumers to watch premium factual programs anytime, anywhere. The service goes live at 6am ET today and curious people across the U.S. with broadband connections can sign up to instantly watch choice content from hundreds of enriching and engaging shows.

CuriosityStream takes Hendricks's vision of accessible and curated factual programs to the social media generation with the latest technology and content focused on science, technology, civilization and the human spirit. The service is designed to enable viewers to choose their viewing experience, from a range of resolutions to custom search features that allow viewers to take virtual journeys through the topics of their choice.

"My dream of a content-on-demand service that uses advanced media to empower the enduring human desire to understand the Universe and the world around us is now a reality. CuriosityStream is the world's first ad-free, SVOD service that addresses our lifelong quest to learn, explore, and understand. Our aim is to provide the first and best on-demand video streaming destination that aggregates and curates the world's best factual content," said Hendricks.

For just $2.99 a month, CuriosityStream subscribers can access premium programming on internet-connected TVs, smartphones, tablets, set top boxes and additional devices. The service is currently priced to host and deliver three streaming resolution preferences: Standard Resolution ($2.99 per month), HD Resolution ($5.99 per month), and later this year we will offer 4K Resolution.

CuriosityStream is launching with hundreds of hours of original and acquired programming that aims to engage and enlighten knowledge seekers of all ages, with new titles being added weekly. Engaging short-form content, generally less than 8 minutes in length, will comprise a significant part of the curated CuriosityStream library.


CuriosityStream features original commissions, original series and specials and documentary content from the world's leading nonfiction producers, including the BBC, NHK, ZED, Terra Noa, and Flame Distribution. Additionally, CuriosityStream features exclusive access to segments and full interviews from more than 70 world experts profiling a broad range of subjects from evolution to rock stars, with 25 new interviews added each month. Initially launching in the U.S., CuriosityStream will be available worldwide over the next five years.

[I don't know how many will sign up with similar content available on PBS, Netflix, Hulu, etc.]