Cineverse

{{Infobox company

| name = Cineverse Corp.

| logo = Cineverse_logo.jpg

| logo_size =

| logo_caption = Logo used since 2023

| former_name = Access IT Digital Media, Inc. (2000–2013)
Cinedigm (2013–2023)

| type = Public

| traded_as = {{NASDAQ|CNVS}}
Russell Microcap Index component

| foundation = {{start date and age|2000}}

| founders = Bud Mayo

| location_city = Los Angeles, California &
New York City, New York

| location =

| key_people = Chris McGurk (chairman and CEO)
Gary Loffredo (president)
Erick Opeka (Chief strategy officer)

| num_employees =

| divisions =

| subsid = Bloody Disgusting
Midnight Pulp
The Dove Channel
The Film Detective
New Video
SD Entertainment
Shout! Studios (minority stake)

| industry = Entertainment

| products = Motion pictures
Entertainment
Video on demand
Digital distribution
Film distribution

| homepage = {{URL|https://cineverse.com/}}

}}

Cineverse Corp. (originally Access IT Digital Media, Inc., and later, Cinedigm) is an American entertainment company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Cineverse’s businesses encompass digital cinema, streaming channels, content marketing, and distribution.{{cite web|url= https://www.indiewire.com/article/cinedigm-stock-soars-after-acquiring-gaiam-vivendi |title=Cinedigm Stock Soars |date=October 18, 2013 |publisher=indiewire.com |access-date=April 5, 2014}}{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cinedigm-set-become-top-theatrical-649352|title=Cinedigm Set to Become Top Theatrical Home Video Distributor|date=October 17, 2013|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 5, 2014}}

History

=Early years=

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.{{cite web|url=http://opportunistmagazine.com/bud-mayo-name/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140405203508/http://opportunistmagazine.com/bud-mayo-name/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 5, 2014 |title=Bud Mayo |publisher=Opportunist Magazine |access-date=April 5, 2014}} In January 2011, Chris McGurk became the new chairman and CEO.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=av6rcMFaqZjk |title=Cinedigm Digital Cinema Names Chris McGurk Chairman and CEO |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=April 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407071226/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=av6rcMFaqZjk |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

In July 2011, the company sold its physical and electronic distribution business to Technicolor.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/technicolor-acquires-cinedigms-digital-cinema-216166 |title=Technicolor Acquiring Cinedigm's Digital Cinema Delivery Assets |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=July 27, 2011 |access-date=April 5, 2014}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9PFU3082.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924001129/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9PFU3082.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |title=Cinedigm sells cinema ad unit to Screenvision |publisher=BusinessWeek |date=September 1, 2011 |access-date=April 5, 2014}}

In April 2012, the company acquired distributor New Video.{{cite web|last=Lieberman|first=David |url=https://deadline.com/2012/04/cinedigm-agrees-to-buy-new-video-group-259240/ |title=Cinedigm Agrees To Buy New Video Group |date=April 20, 2012 |publisher=Deadline |access-date=April 5, 2014}}

In October 2013, the company acquired Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/article/cinedigm-stock-soars-after-acquiring-gaiam-vivendi |title=Cinedigm Stock Soars After It Acquires Gaiam Vivendi | Filmmakers, Film Industry, Film Festivals, Awards & Movie Reviews |date=October 18, 2013 |publisher=Indiewire |access-date=April 5, 2014}}

In May 2014, Cinedigm established Docurama, an OTT documentary channel,{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/docurama-network-releases-ipad-and-iphone-app-2014-09-16|title=Docurama Releases iPad and iPhone App|publisher=Market Watch|access-date=May 18, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dadehayes/2014/06/16/flush-with-new-cash-historically-film-focused-cinedigm-cuts-to-streaming-future/|title=Flush with New Cash Historically Film Focused Cinedigm Cut to Streaming Future|work=Forbes|access-date=May 18, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cinedigm-launches-theater-series-digital-432058|title=Cinedigm Launches Theater Series|date=April 2013|publisher=Hollywood Reporter|access-date=May 18, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thevideoink.com/news/distributor-cinedigm-launches-docurama-first-consumer-facing-ott-channel/|title=Cinedigm Launches Docurama|publisher=The Video Ink|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509214406/http://www.thevideoink.com/news/distributor-cinedigm-launches-docurama-first-consumer-facing-ott-channel/|archive-date=May 9, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/docurama-streams-free-on-demand-documentaries-to-ios/|title=Docurama Streams Free On-Demand Documentaries|publisher=CNET |access-date=May 16, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/04/cinedigm-docurama-documentary-streaming-app-465472/|title=Cinedigm's Documentary Arm Announces Brand Expansion and Streaming App|date=April 2, 2013|publisher=Deadline|access-date=May 16, 2015}} focused on documentaries and film festival coverage.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/05/business/media/documentary-channel-aims-at-an-underserved-audience.html?_r=1|title=Documentary Channel Aims at Underserved Audience|work=The New York Times|date=May 5, 2014|access-date=May 16, 2015|last1=Cieply|first1=Michael}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/06/catching-up-with-susan-margolin-on-docurama.html|title=Catching Up with Susan Margolin on Docurama|date=June 4, 2014|access-date=May 16, 2015}} Later that year, Jeffrey Edell would join as CFO,{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/jeffrey-edell-joins-cinedigm-as-710483/|title=Jeffrey Edell Joins Cinedigm as CFO|first1=Alex Ben|last1=Block|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 9, 2014}} and the company began trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol.{{Cite web|url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2014/feb/12/cinedigm-wizard-world-create-digital-channel/|title=Cinedigm, Wizard World to Create Digital Channel | Los Angeles Business Journal|website=labusinessjournal.com|date=February 12, 2014 }}

=Expansion into Video on Demand=

In February 2015, Cinedigm and Wizard World launched CONtv.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/2014/12/11/contv-announces-film-and-television-programming|title=CONtv Announces Film and Television Programming|access-date=February 5, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldonline.com/2015/01/28/6744538/cinedigm-signs-12-picture-deal.html|title=Cinedigm Signs 12 Picture Deal|access-date=February 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208014141/http://www.heraldonline.com/2015/01/28/6744538/cinedigm-signs-12-picture-deal.html|archive-date=February 8, 2015|url-status=dead}} In June of that year, Cinedigm would acquire a minority stake in Shout! Factory.{{cite news|author=Lang, Brent|title=Cinedigm Takes Minority Position in Shout! Factory|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/cinedigm-shout-factory-minority-1201528189/|magazine=Variety|date=June 25, 2015}} Finally, in September, Cinedigm partnered with The Dove Foundation to create The Dove Channel, an online streaming service focusing on faith-based programming.{{cite web|last1=Todd|first1=Spangler|title=Cinedigm Launches Dove Channel SVOD Service That Strips Out Sex, Drugs and Violence|url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/cinedigm-dove-channel-launch-1201595074/|website=Variety|date=September 16, 2015|publisher=Variety Media|access-date=November 9, 2015}}

In December 2017, control of Cinedigm was given to Bison Capital of Hong Kong to start one of the first China-U.S Studios.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/cinedigm-bison-capital-majority-ownership-investment-1202482934/|title=Cinedigm Sells Majority Ownership Stake to Hong Kong's Bison Capital in $40 Million Deal|first1=Todd|last1=Spangler|date=June 29, 2017}}

On February 5, 2019, Cinedigm acquired streaming service Viewster and its Viewster Anime subsidiary.{{cite web|last1=Ressler|first1=Karen|title=Cinedigm Finalizes Viewster, Viewster Anime Acquisition|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2019-02-05/cinedigm-finalizes-viewster-viewster-anime-acquisition/.143040|website=Anime News Network|access-date=March 5, 2019}} Viewster would eventually merge with CONtv and rebrand as CONtv Anime on June 13, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2019-02-05/cinedigm-finalizes-viewster-viewster-anime-acquisition/.143040|title = Cinedigm Finalizes Viewster, Viewster Anime Acquisition}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/anime/cinedigm-announces-global-contv-anime-network/|title = Cinedigm Announces Global CONtv Anime Network|date = June 8, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-06-13/cinedigm-launches-linear-streaming-network-contv-anime/.160566|title=Cinedigm Launches Linear Streaming Network CONtv Anime}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/cinedigm-bambu-future-today-launch-1203187871/|title=Cinedigm Sets June Date for Bambu Channel Launch, Partners With Future Today|first1=Rebecca|last1=Davis|date=April 12, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/tag/bambu/|title=Bambu – Media Play News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/10/22/1933572/0/en/Cinedigm-s-Chinese-Entertainment-Channel-BAMBU-Launches-Today-on-CONtv.html|title=Cinedigm's Chinese Entertainment Channel BAMBU Launches Today on CONtv|first=Cinedigm Digital Cinema|last=Corp|date=October 22, 2019|website=GlobeNewswire News Room}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2019041255746/bambu-set-for-ott-distribution-on-future-today.html|title=Bambu set for OTT distribution on Future Today | VOD | News | Rapid TV News|website=www.rapidtvnews.com}}

In 2020, Cinedigm acquired The Film Detective.{{Cite web| last1 = McNary| first1 = Dave| title = Cinedigm Buys Vintage Network The Film Detective| work = Variety| access-date = December 19, 2020| date = October 19, 2020| url = https://variety.com/2020/streaming/news/cinedigm-buys-the-film-detective-1234809139/}}

In February 2021, Cinedigm acquired the horror-genre streaming service, Screambox.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/cinedigm-acquires-horror-streaming-service-screambox/|title=Cinedigm Acquires Horror Streaming Service Screambox (Exclusive)|date=February 12, 2021|work=Deadline|access-date=October 26, 2021}} Later that year, on September 21, 2021, Cinedigm acquired Bloody Disgusting. As part of the acquisition, Screambox would be relaunched under the curation and management of Bloody Disgusting.{{Cite web|url=https://investor.cinedigm.com/news/news-details/2021/Cinedigm-Slashes-Its-Way-to-the-Forefront-of-Horror-Streaming-With-Latest-Acquisition-Bloody-Disgusting---The-Leading-Source-of-All-Things-Horror/default.aspx|title = Cinedigm Slashes Its Way to the Forefront of Horror Streaming with Latest Acquisition: Bloody Disgusting - the Leading Source of All Things Horror}}

In August 2021, Cinedigm announced a partnership with Robert Rodriguez to relaunch the former cable and satellite-based El Rey Network as a streaming channel.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-08-06/robert-rodriguez-charts-new-course-for-el-rey-network|title=Robert Rodriguez's El Rey Network to revive through streaming after going dark|last=Faughnder|first=Ryan|date=August 6, 2021|newspaper=LA Times|access-date=August 7, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/robert-rodriguez-el-rey-network-streaming-cinedigm-1235036257/|title=Robert Rodriguez's El Rey Network Cable Channel to Be Rebooted for Streaming With Cinedigm|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=August 6, 2021|work=Variety|access-date=August 7, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/robert-rodriguez-el-rey-network-cable-tv-streaming-cinedigm-1234810494/|title=Robert Rodriguez's El Rey Network Segues From Cable TV To Streaming In Deal With Cinedigm|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=August 6, 2021|work=Deadline|access-date=August 7, 2021}}

In December 2021, Cinedigm signed a deal with SideStream, a live video streaming service.{{Cite web|title=Cinedigm Signs Deal With Live Video Streaming Service SideStream|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cinedigm-signs-deal-live-video-143000048.html|access-date=December 8, 2021|website=finance.yahoo.com|language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Ago |first=4 Hours |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Cinedigm to acquire Digital Media Rights in US$16.4 million deal |url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2022/03/30/cinedigm-to-acquire-digital-media-rights-in-us16-4-million-deal/ |access-date=March 30, 2022 |website=Digital TV Europe |language=en-GB}}

=Cineverse launch and rebranding=

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.{{Cite web |last=Ago |first=4 Hours |date=September 15, 2022 |title=Cinedigm Debuts Cineverse, a Next-Generation Streaming Service|url=https://www.accesswire.com/716089/Cinedigm-Debuts-Cineverse-a-Next-Generation-Streaming-Service |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=Accesswire}}

In May 2023, the company rebranded to Cineverse Corp. and began trading on NASDAQ under CNVS. The company stated that it was an "important step forward" in its "evolution into a streaming content and technology company".{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/cinedigm-changes-name-cineverse-rebrand-1235621338/|title=Cinedigm Changes Name to Cineverse|first=Todd |last=Spangler|work=Variety|date=May 22, 2023|access-date=May 22, 2023}}

In June 2023, Cineverse announced that it would signed a content deal with Sid and Marty Krofft Pictures, allowing it to acquire the worldwide digital distribution rights to its library of shows, with the exceptions of The Brady Bunch Hour (owned by Paramount Television, now part of CBS Media Ventures), D.C. Follies (owned by Amazon MGM Studios) and Mutt & Stuff (owned by Paramount Media Networks under the Nick Jr. brand) and they would launch a VOD channel, called the Sid and Marty Krofft Channel on February 5, 2024.{{cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cineverse-to-launch-sid--marty-krofft-channel-on-heels-of-securing-worldwide-classic-library-rights-to-50-years-of-iconic-live-action-shows-301840196.html|title=Cineverse to Launch Sid and Marty Krofft Channel|publisher=Cineverse|agency=PR Newswire|date=June 1, 2023}}

Television and streaming

Cineverse owns or programs the following brands for either its namesake streaming service, or standalone services and apps, as of 2023.[https://www.cineverse.com/ Cineverse - Your Ticket to a World of Entertainment Delights _ On-Demand Content & Free Linear Channels]

AsianCrush
The Bob Ross Channel
Comedy Dynamics (The Nacelle Company)
CONtv (now Midnight Pulp)
Docurama
Dog Whisperer Channel
The Dove Channel
El Rey Network
The Elvis Presley Channel
EntrepreneurTV
Fandor
First Responders Network
Gusto TV
Insight TV
Maverick Black Cinema
MeatEater TV
Midnight Pulp
Nacelle Pop
QTTV
Real Madrid TV
RetroCrush
Row8
Screambox
Sid and Marty Krofft Channel
So...Real
So…Dramatic
Terrifier 3

References

External links

{{Official website|https://cineverse.com/}}

Category:2000 establishments in California

Category:American companies established in 2000

Category:Entertainment companies established in 2000

Category:Mass media companies established in 2000

Category:Digital media organizations

Category:Entertainment companies based in California

Category:Companies listed on the Nasdaq

Category:Companies based in Los Angeles

Category:Film distributors of the United States

Category:Home video companies of the United States

Category:Mass media companies of the United States

Category:Internet television streaming services