Crackle (service)

{{short description|American video streaming service (2004–2024)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Infobox company | name = Crackle Plus, LLC | logo = frameless|class=skin-invert | logo_caption = Final logo from 2019 to 2024 | type = Subsidiary | industry = Entertainment | foundation = {{start date and age|2004}} | defunct = {{end date and age|2024|7|10}} | fate = Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation by parent company | founders = Josh Felser<br>Dave Samuel<br>Mike Sitrin<br>Aviv Eyal | location_city = Culver City, California | locations = | area_served = United States | services = Digital streaming | members = 40 million monthly active users ({{as of|2021|12|31|lc=y|df=US}}) | homepage = | num_employees = | parent = Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment | location_country = United States | former_name = Grouper (2004–2007)<br>Sony Crackle (2018–2019) }}

'''Crackle''' was an American-based video streaming service. It was founded in 2004 as '''Grouper''', before the service was purchased by Sony Pictures in 2006 and renamed ''Crackle''. In 2018, the name was changed to '''Sony Crackle'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=2018-01-14 |title=Crackle Officially Changes Name To Sony Crackle — TCA |url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/crackle-name-change-sony-crackle-tca-1202243092/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Deadline }}</ref> Sony sold a majority stake to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment in March 2019, and the name was changed back to Crackle.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Hayes |first1=Dade |date=March 28, 2019 |title=Sony Crackle Gets Reboot Via Chicken Soup For The Soul Joint Venture; Eric Berger To Depart After Deal Close |url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/sony-crackle-gets-reboot-via-chicken-soup-for-the-soul-joint-venture-eric-berger-to-depart-after-deal-close-1202584671/ |access-date=April 9, 2019 |website=Deadline}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jarvey |first=Natalie |date=2019-03-28 |title=Sony Sells Crackle Majority Stake to Chicken Soup for the Soul |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/sony-sells-crackle-majority-stake-chicken-soup-soul-1197934/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=The Hollywood Reporter }}</ref> In July 2024, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment was placed in Chapter 7 liquidation, which entailed a liquidation of the company's assets and the cessation of its subsidiaries, including Crackle; while all other subsidiaries were closed, the Chapter 7 trustee kept the Crackle website operating for the United States until June 2025.

==History== ''Grouper Networks'', an encrypted P2P network that integrates file sharing, instant messaging, and multimedia streaming, was founded in 2004 by Josh Felser, Dave Samuel, Mike Sitrin, and Aviv Aiyal. Sony purchased it in August 2006 for $65 million.<ref name="iOS">{{cite news | title = Sony's Grouper becomes Crackle, a pathway to Hollywood | date = 2007-01-16 | url = https://venturebeat.com/2007/07/16/sonys-grouper-becomes-crackle-a-pathway-to-hollywood/| work = VentureBeat | access-date = 2011-10-24}}</ref><ref name=Reuters>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-media-crackle-idUSTRE49S2QX20081029|title=Sony restructuring Crackle online video hub|work=Reuters|access-date=20 November 2013|date=29 October 2008}}</ref> In July 2007, Sony rebranded Grouper as Crackle, a multi-platform video-entertainment network and studio, and in late 2008 appointed Eric Berger as general manager.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-25 |title=What is Crackle? Everything you need to know about the free streaming service |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/what-is-crackle-1207800/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=Android Authority |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2011, Crackle launched its streaming services on Bravia TVs, the PlayStation 3, Roku boxes, and Sony Blu-ray players.<ref name="Gaming" /> It also partnered with Xbox Live and added its content to Xbox 360.<ref name="Gaming">{{cite news | first = Richard | last = Lawler | title = Crackle starts streaming all of its free movies to Roku, PS3, Sony TVs and Blu-ray players | date = 2011-04-18 | url = https://www.engadget.com/2011/03/29/crackle-starts-streaming-free-movies-to-roku-ps3-sony-tvs-and/ | work = Engadget|publisher=AOLtech | access-date = 2011-10-21}}</ref><ref name=USAToday>{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2010/04/sonys-new-crackle-app-for-ipad-and-iphone-lets-you-take-seinfeld-with-you/1|title=Sony's new Crackle app for iPad and iPhone lets you take 'Seinfeld' with you|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=20 November 2013|date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

In January 2012, Crackle added Animax to its content for users in the US and Canada,<ref>{{cite web |last=Team |date=17 January 2012 |title=Sony's Crackle Adds Animax Anime Channel |url=https://deadline.com/2012/01/sonys-crackle-adds-animax-anime-channel-215839/ |website=The Deadline}}</ref> and later by the end of March 2013, Animax branding was removed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-20 |title=Sony Pictures merges TV divisions in major step to secure its digital future |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-sony-pictures-restructuring-20180620-story.html |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In June 2013, it released an app for the BlackBerry 10 platform and added its content to the Apple TV set-top box.<ref name="Engadget1">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/07/03/sony-crackle-blackberry-10/|title=Sony's Crackle arrives on BlackBerry 10, reminds us to not watch Bad Boys II|website=Engadget|date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ingraham |first=Nathan |date=2013-12-11 |title=Apple TV adds new channels for ABC, Crackle, Bloomberg, and KORTV |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/12/11/5200092/apple-tv-adds-new-channels-abc-crackle-bloomberg-kortv |access-date=2014-04-15 |website=The Verge}}</ref>thumb|Logo used from 2008 to 2018|class=skin-invert On April 1, 2014, Sony Pictures Television ceased its Crackle operations in the UK<ref name="Cable.co.uk">{{cite web |author=Adie, Nigel |date=March 31, 2014 |title=Sony Pictures Television shutting down Crackle |url=http://www.cable.co.uk/news/sony-pictures-television-shutting-down-crackle-801708095/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704034734/https://www.cable.co.uk/news/sony-pictures-television-shutting-down-crackle-801708095/ |archive-date=July 4, 2018 |access-date=April 3, 2014 |website=cable.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="Broadband TV News">{{cite web |author=Briel, Robert |date=March 25, 2014 |title=Sony UK closes down Crackle VOD |url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/03/25/sony-uk-closes-down-crackle-vod/ |access-date=April 3, 2014 |website=broadbandtvnews.com}}</ref> In Australia, Crackle became the free-to-air home of Sony's popular American soap opera ''Days of Our Lives.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/04/nine-axes-days-of-our-lives-after-45-years.html |title=Nine axes Days of our Lives after 45 years |website=TV Tonight |date=April 29, 2013 |access-date=2014-04-15}}</ref> The same month, Crackle announced the creation of ''Sports Jeopardy!'', a sports-themed version of the game show ''Jeopardy!'' hosted by Dan Patrick.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SPORTS_JEOPARDY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502032506/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SPORTS_JEOPARDY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |title=Sony making a sports version of Jeopardy!|archive-date=May 2, 2014 |website=Associated Press |date=April 30, 2014}}</ref>

On April 14, 2015, Crackle announced a new feature called "Always On"; an ad-supported, internet television channel similar to Vevo TV. Crackle also announced its first animated series, ''SuperMansion''; their first hour-long scripted drama, ''The Art of More''; and ''Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser'', a sequel to 2001's ''Joe Dirt''.<ref name="Upfront">{{cite news|title=Crackle Bridges The Gap Between Linear TV And On Demand With New Robust Slate Of Originals And Revolutionary 'Always On' Experience For Connected TV|url=http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/press-releases/story.aspx?id=1003569884&er=NA|access-date=15 April 2015|date=14 April 2015|work=Broadcaster Magazine}}</ref> On October 8, 2015, Crackle premiered ''SuperMansion'', a stop-motion animated comedy television series created by Matthew Senreich and Zeb Wells. The series stars the voices of Bryan Cranston, Heidi Gardner, Tucker Gilmore, Keegan-Michael Key, Tom Root, Yvette Nicole Brown, Wells, and Jillian Bell.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kimball |first=Trevor |date=2015-04-14 |title=SuperMansion, The Art of More, Chosen: Crackle Announces New TV Series |url=https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/supermansion-the-art-of-more-dead-rising-crackle-announces-new-tv-series-35214/ |access-date=2015-04-14 |website=tvseriesfinale |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2017, Crackle announced the platform had greenlit an original drama, ''The Oath'', written and created by former Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy Joe Halpin. Executive produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and his G-Unit Film & Television Inc., the drama series stars Sean Bean, Ryan Kwanten, Cory Hardrict, Arlen Escarpeta, Katrina Law, and J.J. Soria, and premiered on March 8, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=2017-11-30 |title='The Oath': Premiere Date & Teaser For Crackle Drama From EP Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson |url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/the-oath-trailer-premiere-date-crackle-drama-series-curtis-jackson-50-cent-1202217150/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

thumb|Sony Crackle logo used from 2018 to 2019 In spring 2018, the company's name was changed to Sony Crackle.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Dino-Ray |date=January 14, 2018 |title=Crackle Officially Changes Name To Sony Crackle - TCA |url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/crackle-name-change-sony-crackle-tca-1202243092/ |access-date=January 14, 2018 |website=Deadline}}</ref> In March 2019, Sony sold its majority stake in Sony Crackle to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, and the name was changed to Crackle again.<ref name=":0"/> Subsequently, on December 15, 2020, Sony sold its remaining stake in Crackle, giving full control to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sony Sells Crackle Majority Stake to Chicken Soup for the Soul |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sony-sells-crackle-majority-stake-chicken-soup-soul-1197934|access-date=2020-11-12|website=Hollywood Reporter|date=28 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Sony Trades Crackle Equity For Stock; Full Control Of Streamer Goes To Chicken Soup For The Soul Entertainment |url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/sony-exits-crackle-streaming-full-control-chicken-soup-for-the-soul-entertainment-1234656734/ |access-date=December 15, 2020 |website=Deadline}}</ref>

In April 2023, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment announced Crackle Connex, its advertising sales division, allowing advertisers to measure and track performance of advertisements on the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-04-04 |title=Chicken Soup for the Soul launches Crackle Connex |url=https://advanced-television.com/2023/04/04/chicken-soup-for-the-soul-launches-crackle-connex/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On April 23, 2024, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment announced a $636.6 million loss in 2023, and warned that without any options to generate additional financing, the company may be forced to liquidate or pause operations, and seek a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/chicken-soup-reports-dollar637-million-loss-for-2023-preps-investors-for-bankruptcy|title=Chicken Soup Reports $637 Million Loss for 2023, Preps Investors for Bankruptcy|date=April 23, 2024|access-date=April 23, 2024|website=NextTV|language=en}}</ref>

On June 29, 2024, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after missing a week of paying its employees and failing to secure financing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hayes |first1=Dade |title=Redbox Owner Chicken Soup For The Soul Entertainment Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/redbox-chicken-soup-for-the-soul-entertainment-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy-1235997730/ |website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 29, 2024 |access-date=June 29, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://bkdata.com/business-bankruptcies/delaware-delaware/06-29-2024/crackle-plus-11446|title=Crackle Plus, LLC files for bankruptcy|date=June 29, 2024|access-date=July 24, 2024|website=BKData|language=en}}</ref>

On July 10, 2024, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved a conversion of the bankruptcy to Chapter 7, which would signal a liquidation of the company's assets, and the cessation of its subsidiaries, including Crackle.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=2024-07-11 |title=DVDs are dying right as streaming has made them appealing again |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/07/dvds-are-dying-right-as-streaming-has-made-them-appealing-again/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Programming==

===Original programming=== {{Further|List of Crackle original programming}}

===Movie and TV library=== Crackle featured films and TV shows, some exclusive, mainly from Sony Pictures and its subsidiaries, including Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Classics, and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} Other Crackle Plus VOD platforms included Popcornflix (AVOD), Truli, and Pivotshare (SVOD platform).<ref name=":2" />

Crackle also featured the "Crackle Original" series, including ''On the Ropes'', ''Going from Broke'', ''Hidden Heroes'', ''The Oath'', and ''Snatch''. Crackle's content changed each month as titles were added and taken down.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

===Content providers=== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * A24 * A&E Networks * BBC Studios * CBS Media Ventures * Cineville * Discotek Media * Disney-ABC Domestic Television * Entertainment One * Epic Pictures * FilmRise * Fremantle * Gaumont * Hallmark Entertainment * Lionsgate * Magnolia Pictures * MarVista Entertainment * Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer * NBCUniversal Syndication Studios * Nordisk Film * Oscilloscope Laboratories * Samuel Goldwyn Films * Screen Media Ventures * Shout! Factory * Sony Pictures * STX Entertainment * Tribeca Film * Universal Pictures * Warner Bros. * Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures {{Div col end}}

==Availability== While it was Sony Crackle, it was available in 21 countries and in three languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish.<ref name=iab>{{cite web|url=http://www.iab.net/digitalcontentnewfronts/crackle|title=Crackle at Sony Pictures Television|website=iab|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="CrackBerry">{{cite web |date=30 June 2013 |title=Crackle streaming TV and Movies app arrives for BlackBerry 10 |url=http://crackberry.com/crackle-streaming-tv-and-movies-arrives-blackberry-10 |access-date=20 November 2013 |website=CrackBerry}}</ref> Crackle was launched in Canada in September 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jarvey |first=Natalie |date=2019-01-17 |title=Sony to Shut Down Crackle in Latin America |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/crackle-shut-down-latin-america-1176864/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sonys-crackle-comes-canada-27516|title=Sony's Crackle comes to Canada|first=Etan|last=Vlessing|date=September 7, 2010|access-date=June 28, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> In late 2015, several of the service's original series were made available only through the local services Crave TV and Shomi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://worldscreen.com/tvdrama/the-art-of-more-to-debut-in-canada-on-shomi/|title=The Art of More to Debut in Canada on shomi|website=Worldscreen|date=November 12, 2015|access-date=February 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.921rock.ca/2016/04/18/the-dudes-from-robot-chicken-have-a-new-series-on-shomi-its-definitely-worth-your-time/|title=The Dudes From Robot Chicken Have A New Series On Shomi & It's Definitely Worth Your Time|publisher=Rogers Media|work=CJQQ-FM (92.1 Rock)|access-date=February 23, 2017|date=April 18, 2016|first=Ryan|last=Daly}}</ref>

Crackle's Canadian operations were shut down on June 28, 2018, and its content was moved to Bell Media's CTV Movies and CTV Throwback services.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/crackle-canada-shutting-down-1202858094/|title=Sony Crackle Shutting Down in Canada|last=Roettgers|first=Janko|date=27 June 2018|work=Variety|access-date=26 June 2018}}</ref> Despite Crackle being a Sony owned service, the successor CTV app has not launched on Sony's PlayStation or Smart TV platforms, although it has become available on Microsoft's Xbox One console and Samsung's Smart TVs.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

As of late 2016, Crackle in Latin America was available only as an ad-free paid service.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.todotvnews.com/news/How-Crackle-Moved-from-OTT-to-SVOD.html|title=How Crackle Moved from OTT to SVOD|last=@todotvnews|website=Todotvnews|language=en|access-date=2018-06-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026222721/http://www.todotvnews.com/news/How-Crackle-Moved-from-OTT-to-SVOD.html|archive-date=2018-10-26|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://soporte.crackle.com/hc/es-419/articles/229329948--Por-qu%C3%A9-Crackle-ya-no-es-gratis-|title=¿Por qué Crackle ya no es gratis?|website=Ayuda de Crackle|access-date=20 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904150916/https://soporte.crackle.com/hc/es-419/articles/229329948--Por-qu%C3%A9-Crackle-ya-no-es-gratis-|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Subscribers were required to have a pay-TV service provider that had partnered with Sony Crackle in order to access the service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soporte.crackle.com/hc/es-419/articles/229333208--Qu%C3%A9-necesito-para-ver-Crackle-|title=¿Qué necesito para ver Crackle?|website=Ayuda de Crackle|access-date=20 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904151025/https://soporte.crackle.com/hc/es-419/articles/229333208--Qu%C3%A9-necesito-para-ver-Crackle-|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Crackle was discontinued in Latin America on April 30, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/crackle-shut-down-latin-america-1176864|title=Sony to Shut Down Crackle in Latin America|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 17, 2019|access-date=January 13, 2020}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

Category:Defunct video on demand services Category:2006 mergers and acquisitions Category:2019 mergers and acquisitions Category:Advertising video on demand Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2024 Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024 Category:Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment subsidiaries Category:Former Sony subsidiaries Category:Former video hosting services Category:Internet properties established in 2004 Category:Internet properties disestablished in 2024 Category:Windows software Category:American companies established in 2004 Category:American companies disestablished in 2024