CuriosityStream, the new SVOD service created by Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks, officially launched Wednesday with about 600 non-fiction series, feature-length documentaries and shorts, all focused on science, technology and history.
The ad-free subscription streaming service launches with a base price of $2.99 for standard definition programming and $5.99 for hi-def. There are plans to launch an even more premium 4K service later this year.
The company is enticing sign-ups by offering the first month of service free.
By offering "factual" content that is, by Hendricks' estimates, "one-fourth to one-sixth" as expensive to acquire compared to scripted programming, CuriosityStream hopes to grab the documentary market from broader-reaching SVOD incumbents such as Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) and Amazon Prime Instant Video (NASDAQ: AMZN).
Hendricks stepped down from Discovery Networks' board last year, moving across the street in Silver Springs, Md., to launch the SVOD business he says has been years in the planning.
"I've been dreaming and scheming about this for over 20 years," he told Reuters.
For more:
- read this Reuters story
- read this Los Angeles Times story
- read this Mashable story
On the Hot Seat: With CuriosityStream, Hendricks aims to fill an SVOD niche
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Discovery founder Hendricks launches SVOD service CuriosityStream
CuriosityStream's Hendricks sees potential in nonfiction/factual OTT services