Here’s another SVOD to add to your to-subscribe list: CuriosityStream is a science and non-fiction streaming service, founded by John Hendricks, the brains behind the launch of the Discovery Channel in 1985.
CuriosityStream has about 600 different programs. About half of those are originals, produced and exclusive to CuriosityStream. The others are licensed from the BBC, NHK, ZED, Terra Noa, and Flame Distribution. The platform is ad-free and cheap: standard resolution for $2.99 a month, $5.99 for high definition, and a 4K option later this year. All of it is commercial free.
Users can watch on phones, tablets, and a desktop. Hendricks says that he plans to take the platform to the big screen within the next eight months. “We’ll be exploring partnerships with anyone that can help us accelerate growth,” he told me over the phone. Hendricks tells me that now is the perfect time for an SVOD service like this.
The big advantage of this next revolution is that its on demand. There are three fundamental forces that cannot be stopped: consumers have migrated toward platforms that give them the most control of their viewing. The second is if they can watch it commercial free. If we can watch something commercial free, that’s what we’ll choose. And then third is that consumers will migrate to experiences that are closest to reality. Ultra high definition will saturate the marketplace, which is why we’re filming content in 4K.
Niche is always where the money is and science is always popular, though its having a bit of moment. People are subscribing in droves to science based podcasts, like Radiolab or 99% Invisible, among others. For Hendricks, it’s personal, too. He says in an official statement:
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… Our aim is to provide the first and best on-demand video streaming destination that aggregates and curates the world’s best factual content.
Services like Sling TV should take note: video on-demand platforms like this, complete with original content, make great additions to fill in the gaps in content.