 Logo used since 2023 | |
| Formerly | Access IT Digital Media, Inc. (2000–2013) Cinedigm (2013–2023) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Public |
| Nasdaq: CNVS Russell Microcap Index component | |
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 2000; 25 years ago (2000) |
| Founders | Bud Mayo |
| Headquarters | |
Key people | Chris McGurk (chairman andCEO) Gary Loffredo (president) Erick Opeka (Chief strategy officer) |
| Products | Motion pictures Entertainment Video on demand Digital distribution Film distribution |
| Subsidiaries | Bloody Disgusting Midnight Pulp The Dove Channel The Film Detective New Video SD Entertainment Shout! Studios(minority stake) |
| Website | cineverse |
Cineverse Corp. (originallyAccess IT Digital Media, Inc., and later,Cinedigm) is an American entertainment company headquartered inLos Angeles,California. Cineverse’s businesses encompassdigital cinema, streaming channels, content marketing, and distribution.[1][2]
The company was founded in 2000, under the name Access IT Digital Media, Inc., through a group led by Bud Mayo. Mayo served as director until his retirement in 2010, and subsequently founded Digital Cinema Destinations Corp. In September 2013, the company changed its name to Cinedigm Corp.[3] In January 2011, Chris McGurk became the new chairman and CEO.[4]
In July 2011, the company sold its physical and electronic distribution business toTechnicolor.[5] The following month,Screenvision acquired UniqueScreen Media, Inc. (USM), the cinema advertising division of Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. The companies entered into a long-term agreement, with Cinedigm providing distribution and promotion for Screenvision.[6]
In April 2012, the company acquired distributorNew Video.[7]
In October 2013, the company acquiredGaiam Vivendi Entertainment.[8]
In May 2014, Cinedigm establishedDocurama, an OTT documentary channel,[9][10][11][12][13][14] focused on documentaries and film festival coverage.[15][16] Later that year,Jeffrey Edell would join as CFO,[17] and the company began trading on theNASDAQ under the ticker symbol.[18]
In February 2015, Cinedigm andWizard World launchedCONtv.[19][20] In June of that year, Cinedigm would acquire a minority stake inShout! Factory.[21] Finally, in September, Cinedigm partnered withThe Dove Foundation to createThe Dove Channel, an online streaming service focusing on faith-based programming.[22]
In December 2017, control of Cinedigm was given to Bison Capital of Hong Kong to start one of the first China-U.S Studios.[23]
On February 5, 2019, Cinedigm acquired streaming serviceViewster and its ViewsterAnime subsidiary.[24] Viewster would eventually merge with CONtv and rebrand as CONtv Anime on June 13, 2020.[25][26][27]
In April of that year, Cinedigm licensed content from Chinese firms CCTV, China Lion, Starrise Media and Youku, in order to launch an entertainment and film service called Bambu; the service would launch on October 22, 2019.[28][29][30][31]
In 2020, Cinedigm acquiredThe Film Detective.[32]
In February 2021, Cinedigm acquired thehorror-genre streaming service, Screambox.[33] Later that year, on September 21, 2021, Cinedigm acquiredBloody Disgusting. As part of the acquisition, Screambox would be relaunched under the curation and management of Bloody Disgusting.[34]
In August 2021, Cinedigm announced a partnership withRobert Rodriguez to relaunch the former cable and satellite-basedEl Rey Network as a streaming channel.[35][36][37]
In December 2021, Cinedigm signed a deal with SideStream, a live video streaming service.[38]
In March 2022, Cinedigm acquired streaming, advertising and distribution company, Digital Media Rights; including the ad-supported streaming services Cinehouse (originally known as YuYu), AsianCrush, RetroCrush, Midnight Pulp, Cocoro (now discontinued), and KMTV.[39]
On September 15, 2022, Cinedigm launched Cineverse, marketed as the company's flagship streaming service, featuring programming from across its AVOD (ad-supported video on demand) and FAST (free, ad-supported, television) brands.[40]
In May 2023, the company rebranded toCineverse Corp. and began trading onNASDAQ under CNVS. The company stated that it was an "important step forward" in its "evolution into a streaming content and technology company".[41]
In June 2023, Cineverse announced that it would signed a content deal withSid and Marty Krofft Pictures, allowing it to acquire the worldwide digital distribution rights to its library of shows, with the exceptions ofThe Brady Bunch Hour (owned by Paramount Television, now part ofCBS Media Ventures),D.C. Follies (owned byAmazon MGM Studios) andMutt & Stuff (owned byParamount Media Networks under theNick Jr. brand) and they would launch a VOD channel, called the Sid and Marty Krofft Channel on February 5, 2024.[42]
Cineverse owns or programs the following brands for either its namesake streaming service, or standalone services and apps, as of 2023.[43]
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