Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment

Name

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment

Legal name

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Inc.

Website

https://cssentertainment.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Streaming and Video Entertainment

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Sound Recording Studios (51224)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Music & Audio Streaming Platforms (BPAMAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distribution Feeds & Syndication (Partner Delivery, APIs, Feeds) (MPAHALAJ), Podcast Networks & Studio Platforms (MPAIADAC), OTT Platform CMS & Content Operations (Catalog, Scheduling, Workflows) (MPAHAJAA)

Keywords

• Ad-supported streaming
• Video on demand
• Content distribution
• Physical media rental
• Connected TV advertising

Headquarters

HQ city

Cos Cob

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. AVOD Advertising: Ad-supported video on demand revenue generated through the Crackle platform and Crackle Connex, monetizing streaming audiences via advertising.
2. Physical DVD/Blu-ray rental: Per-rental revenue from Redbox kiosks; the company reported a strong rebound in DVD and Blu-ray rental revenues in 2023 driven by major theatrical releases and consumer demand for physical media.
3. Content distribution licensing: Revenue from distribution of third-party content via 1091 Pictures to streaming platforms and AVOD networks.
4. Content production services: Production revenue from Locomotive Global's India-based content production operations for platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix India, leveraging lower production costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment operates an integrated entertainment platform that delivers ad-supported video on demand streaming through Crackle, physical DVD and Blu-ray rental through a network of approximately 27,000 Redbox kiosks across the United States, third-party content distribution through 1091 Pictures, original content production in India through majority-owned Locomotive Global for major OTT platforms, and connected-TV advertising monetization through the Crackle Connex media platform.

Product overview

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (CSSE) operates as a platform-plus-modules entertainment company centered on its connected TV and ad-supported video on demand (AVOD) business, rather than a single unified product. Its core streaming/AVOD brand is Crackle (acquired in 2021), which is paired with Redbox (acquired in 2022) for digital distribution and physical DVD/Blu-ray kiosk rental, and with Crackle Connex (launched 2023) as an advertising platform overlay. Content supply and distribution are extended through the acquired 1091 Pictures distribution business (closed 2022) and Locomotive Global, the India-based production company majority stake acquired in 2021. The combined portfolio positions CSSE around streaming, AVOD advertising, physical media rentals, and international content production, though the parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024 amid roughly $1 billion in debt.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Crackle: Ad-supported video on demand (AVoD) streaming platform acquired by CSSE in 2021.
• Crackle Connex
• Redbox

Products and services

• Crackle
• Redbox
• Crackle Connex
• 1091 Pictures
• Locomotive Global

Quantifiable outcome

• 27,000 Redbox kiosks operating in the US at the time of 2024 bankruptcy filing (down from 36,000 at acquisition)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Redbox EntertainmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2022Acquired Redbox Entertainment in a deal valued at approximately US$375 million, including assumption of US$325 million of Redbox's debt and CSSE stock issuance. The acquisition gave CSSE control of Redbox's digital platforms and customer base, expanding its presence in connected TV advertising. The combined company projected over $500 million in revenue and $100-150 million Adjusted EBITDA by end of 2022.
• 1091 Media (1091 Pictures)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Acquired 1091 Media's distribution business, 1091 Pictures, for approximately $15.6 million in cash and stock. The deal expanded Chicken Soup for the Soul's content catalog and distribution capacity for streaming and AVOD networks. Negotiations were led by Salem Partners with legal advisory from Graubard Miller and Chatillon Weiss.
• Locomotive Global Inc.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2021Acquired a majority stake in Locomotive Global Inc., an India-based production company. The deal leverages Locomotive's revenue, cash flow, and regional presence to support expansion in India and serve the growing OTT market. Locomotive produces content for Amazon Prime Video and Netflix India while leveraging lower production costs in India.
• CrackleflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Acquired Crackle, an ad-supported streaming service, in 2021. Crackle's content library and licenses were transferred to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, forming the foundation of the company's AVOD business and later the Crackle Connex advertising platform.
• NBCUniversalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent licensor to Redbox (a CSSE subsidiary). Redbox failed to make a $4 million payment to NBCUniversal stemming from a dispute over unpaid royalties, with potential liability of up to $16.7 million.
• Salem PartnersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFinancial advisor that led negotiations on the acquisition of 1091 Media's distribution business (1091 Pictures).
• Graubard MillerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal advisor on the acquisition of 1091 Media's distribution business (1091 Pictures) for approximately $15.6 million.
• Chatillon WeissminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal advisor on the acquisition of 1091 Media's distribution business (1091 Pictures) for approximately $15.6 million.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Roku: Roku operates The Roku Channel, one of the largest ad-supported streaming services, and monetizes CTV inventory through its Roku Ads platform. It is the closest direct comparable to CSSE's Crackle + Crackle Connex combination as a free, ad-supported streaming and CTV ad marketplace.
• Tubi (Fox Corporation): Tubi is a major free, ad-supported streaming service owned by Fox, competing head-to-head with Crackle for AVOD viewers and CTV ad budgets. Like Crackle, it relies on ad-supported monetization and a large library of licensed content.
• Pluto TV (Paramount Global): Pluto TV is one of the leading FAST/AVOD platforms, owned by Paramount Global. It competes directly with Crackle on free ad-supported streaming and uses ad-tech integrations similar in concept to Crackle Connex.
• Xumo (Comcast/Xumo): Xumo is a Comcast-affiliated FAST/AVOD streaming service and CTV ad platform. It competes directly with Crackle in the free ad-supported streaming category and with Crackle Connex for advertiser spend.
• Cineverse (formerly Cinedigm): Cineverse operates a portfolio of ad-supported streaming channels (including Fandor, Dove Channel, and others) and provides content distribution services to streaming platforms. It is comparable to CSSE in combining niche AVOD channels with B2B content distribution, similar to 1091 Pictures.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon Freevee / Prime Video Ads: Amazon's ad-supported tier of Prime Video (formerly Freevee) is a deep-pocketed AVOD competitor with far larger content investment and targeting capabilities. It overlaps Crackle on free streaming and competes for the same connected-TV advertising dollars.
• Netflix (Ad-Supported Tier): Netflix's ad-supported subscription tier launched in late 2022, putting it directly into CTV advertising alongside Crackle Connex. It is also a buyer of Locomotive Global's India-produced content, making it both competitor and customer.
• Lionsgate: Lionsgate operates Starz (subscription streaming) and Lionsgate's ad-supported offering, while also distributing theatrical and television content globally. It is comparable to CSSE's 1091 Pictures content distribution business and Crackle AVOD library aggregation.

Emerging players

• The CW (Nexstar Media): The CW has pivoted to streaming-led distribution and free ad-supported tiers, putting it in partial overlap with Crackle for ad-supported audiences. It represents an emerging player in the AVOD/CTV advertising space.

Others

• BBC Studios / BritBox: BBC Studios produces and globally distributes premium content to AVOD, SVOD, and FAST platforms, comparable to 1091 Pictures and Locomotive Global's B2B distribution and production services. It is an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor to Crackle.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CSSEntertain
• Facebookfacebook.com/hallwayheroes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A6 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment