ShortsTV

What ShortsTV does

ShortsTV, legally Shorts International Limited, is a London-headquartered short entertainment company founded in 2000 by Carter Pilcher that operates as a distributor, broadcaster and producer of short films. Its core activity is the curation, packaging and multi-channel distribution of short-form cinema, anchored by what the company describes as the world's largest short film catalogue. Its products include 24/7 linear TV channels distributed via Pay-TV operators globally, an over-the-top subscription offering on Amazon Prime Video Channels in the US and India, free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus, Pluto TV and other platforms, the ShortsTV+ mobile application, and the annual Oscar Nominated Short Films theatrical release in partnership with major theater circuits which it has run since 2006. Its original production arm, Shorts Factory, produces branded short-form content for advertisers.

The business generates revenue through multiple streams: carriage and licensing fees from Pay-TV operators across more than 100 million households, subscription revenue via SVOD on Amazon Prime Video Channels, advertising revenue from FAST channels, box office receipts from theatrical exhibition of the Oscar Nominated Short Films slate, and production services revenue from brand clients including Sony PlayStation, Nike and Virgin Atlantic. AMC Networks holds a minority equity stake, which functions as both validation of the content thesis and a potential partnership channel.

The company serves three distinct customer sets: (i) global audiences consuming short films across linear, streaming, FAST and mobile channels; (ii) platform and distribution partners - including Amazon, Samsung, Pluto TV, AT&T and DirecTV - that license or carry the channels; and (iii) brands and theatrical exhibitors that consume Shorts Factory production services and the annual Oscar slate, respectively. Distribution and the Oscar franchise together form the operational backbone of the business.

Name

ShortsTV

Legal name

Shorts International Limited

Website

https://shorts.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ShortsTV is a London-based short entertainment company that distributes, broadcasts and produces short films across 100+ million households via Pay-TV, Amazon Prime Video Channels, FAST platforms, theatrical release, and its ShortsTV+ app, anchored by an annual Oscar Nominated Short Films slate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Short Film Entertainment & Distribution

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Short-Form Video Advertising & Brand Collaboration Platforms (MPACAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Short-Form Documentaries (MPADADAC), Short-Form Animation (Shorts, Web Series) (MPADACAI), Clip Licensing & Stock Video (Short-form Excerpts) (MPABANAD)

Keywords

• Short film distribution
• Video streaming platform
• Pay-TV channels
• Theatrical film release
• Subscription video on demand

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Theatrical Distribution: ShortsTV produces and distributes the annual Oscar Nominated Short Films theatrical release. Theatrical revenues are split 65/35 with theaters retaining the larger share, and filmmakers receive 50/50 split on remainder after expense recoupment under a 'costs off the top' model. Documentary release reaches 200+ US theaters; Live-Action & Animation reach 700+ US/Canada theaters. International theatrical releases include UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Mexico, Chile, China, and Australia.
2. Pay-TV Channel Distribution: ShortsTV operates as a 24/7 premium pay-TV channel distributed through cable, satellite, and telecom operators including AT&T U-Verse, DirecTV, Tata Sky, Ziggo, Telenet, and others. Revenue generated from subscriber fees passed through participating Pay-TV providers.
3. Digital/VOD Distribution: ShortsTV offers subscription VOD on Amazon Prime Video Channels in selected markets (US, UK, Netherlands, Italy, France, Sweden, India, Spain), and sells/ rents short films through online stores including iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Verizon, Vimeo and cable/satellite pay-per-view. Digital compilation released on Tuesday before Oscar Telecast each year.
4. FAST/AVOD Channels: Advertising-supported connected TV channels 'Shorts' and 'Cortos' available on Samsung TV Plus, Rakuten TV, LG Channels, Pluto TV, and Plex. Free ad-supported channels serve as gateway to introduce audiences to short film content and drive conversion to premium pay services.
5. Shorts Factory Original Production: ShortsTV produces original short film content for broadcasters and brands including Sony Playstation, Nike, and Virgin Atlantic, as well as programming for the ShortsTV network. Revenue generated through production fees and brand partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ShortsTV is a multi-platform short entertainment company that distributes, broadcasts, and produces short films globally. It operates 24/7 dedicated pay-TV channels, subscription VOD on Amazon Prime Video Channels, free ad-supported FAST channels across CTV platforms (Samsung TV Plus, Pluto TV, LG Channels, Rakuten TV, Plex), a personalized ShortsTV+ mobile app, the annual Oscar Nominated Short Films theatrical release, and online film sales/rentals in 90+ countries, reaching more than 100 million households.

Product overview

ShortsTV is a multi-platform short entertainment company operating a portfolio of interconnected products. The core offering consists of ShortsTV, the world's first and leading 24/7 pay-TV channel dedicated to short films available across the US, Europe, India, and Latin America (as TVCortos). This is complemented by the ShortsTV+ mobile app enabling users to create personalized movie channels, the Amazon Prime Video Channels SVOD service for subscription-based access, and the Oscar Nominated Short Films annual theatrical release (the world's largest commercial short film release since 2006). Shorts Factory produces original short film content for broadcasters and brands. The FAST channel 'Shorts' (and 'Cortos' in Latin America) serves as an advertising-supported entry point. All content is distributed digitally through iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon in over 90 countries, reaching more than 100 million households globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shorts Factory: Produces original short film content for broadcasters and brands. Previous work includes productions for Sony Playstation, Nike, and Virgin Atlantic.
• ShortsTV+ App
• Shorts Awards
• #WatchInColor
• World Cup of Shorts
• Women's World Cup of Shorts
• The SHORTIEs

Products and services

• ShortsTV 24/7 TV Channel The world's first and leading 24/7 TV channel dedicated to short entertainment, broadcasting short films in high definition via Pay-TV operators (AT&T U-Verse, DirecTV, Tata Sky, Ziggo, Telenet, UPC) in the US, Europe, India, and across Latin America under the TVCortos brand.
• ShortsTV+ Mobile App Mobile app for iOS and Android that gives audiences the power to create their own movie channels with thousands of the world's best short movies, based on favorite genres and mood, using a machine-learning recommendation algorithm. Available in the US and UK.
• ShortsTV on Amazon Prime Video Channels (SVOD) Subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service distributed through Amazon Prime Video Channels, providing access to the world's leading short movie selection in the US, UK, Netherlands, Italy, France, Sweden, India, and Spain.
• Oscar Nominated Short Films Theatrical Release Annual theatrical release produced and distributed by ShortsTV featuring the Oscar Nominated Short Films, organized in Documentary (200+ US theaters), Live-Action, and Animation (700+ US/Canada theaters) compilations during awards season. Theatrical revenues are split approximately 65/35 with theaters retaining the larger share.
• Shorts Factory Original Content Production ShortsTV's wholly-owned production subsidiary producing original short film content for broadcasters and brands (Sony Playstation, Nike, Virgin Atlantic) as well as programming for the ShortsTV network of channels.
• Shorts / Cortos FAST Channels Free advertising-supported streaming TV channels named 'Shorts' (and 'Cortos' in Latin America) available on Samsung TV Plus, Rakuten TV, LG Channels, Pluto TV, and Plex in selected markets, serving as a free entry point introducing audiences to short film content.
• TVCortos Channel (Latin America & Spain) ShortsTV's brand in Latin America and Spain, operating the short film channel under the TVCortos name with a companion FAST channel 'Cortos', extending the world's largest short film catalog to Spanish-language markets.
• ShortsTV Online Distribution Digital distribution of short films available for download or streaming purchase/rental via iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Verizon, Vimeo, and cable/satellite pay-per-view services in over 90 countries, including the annual digital Oscar Nominated Short Films compilation released before the Oscar ceremony.

Quantifiable outcome

• Each of the last three years have seen $0.3m+ in total returned to filmmakers across all nomination categories
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and strategic.

• Amazon Prime Video Channels (US)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 June 2022Launch of ShortsTV's subscription video-on-demand service on Amazon Prime Video Channels in the US, expanding its digital footprint. World's leading short movie selection now available to US Prime members.
• Amazon Prime VideocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 September 2021Partnership to launch ShortsTV on Amazon Prime Video Channels in India, extending ShortsTV's growing Indian footprint into thousands of cities and towns in India's heartland. Amazon Prime Video is watched in over 4,300 cities in India.
• Samsung TV PluscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdvertising-supported connected TV channel 'Shorts' available on Samsung TV Plus in selected markets. Free channel acts as gateway to the exciting world of short films.
• Rakuten TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFAST channel 'Shorts' available on Rakuten TV platform in selected European markets.
• Pluto TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFAST channel 'Shorts' available on Pluto TV in selected markets.
• PlexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFAST channel 'Shorts' available on Plex in selected markets.
• LG ChannelscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFAST channel 'Shorts' available on LG Channels (smart TV platform) in selected markets.
• UPC (Netherlands)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLaunch of ShortsTV on UPC channels 25 (standard definition) and 64 (high definition) in Netherlands. World's first HD channel dedicated to short movies on UPC.
• Chello Central EuroperegionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution deal for HD version of ShortsTV in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, and Central & Eastern Europe markets.
• AT&T U-VersecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPay-TV distribution partner for ShortsTV 24/7 channel.
• DirecTVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPay-TV distribution partner for ShortsTV 24/7 channel.
• Tata Sky (India)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndia Pay-TV distribution partner for ShortsTV channel.
• Ziggo (Netherlands)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetherlands Pay-TV distribution partner. Named ShortsTV 'Channel of the Month' in July 2018.
• Telenet (Belgium)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBelgium Pay-TV distribution partner for ShortsTV channel.
• Shenzhen Media GroupstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeal to bring Chinese short films to US and European TV. Award-winning entries from China's largest shorts competition shown on ShortsTV's American and European channels. Signed at China International Film Festival.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vimeo: Vimeo operates Vimeo OTT (now Vimeo Streaming) and a creator video hosting platform, providing distribution to indie filmmakers and creators globally - directly comparable to ShortsTV's distribution and OTT streaming model, particularly with Vimeo On Demand historically serving the indie film distribution market.
• FilmRise: FilmRise is a major independent film and TV distributor operating on AVOD platforms including Tubi, Pluto TV, and Amazon Freevee. Directly comparable as it operates overlapping distribution channels (FAST/AVOD) and serves independent filmmakers with distribution, very similar to ShortsTV's Shorts Factory and FAST channels strategy.
• MUBI: MUBI is a curated film streaming service offering handpicked independent, classic, and short films via SVOD. Highly comparable to ShortsTV as both curate non-mainstream film content for engaged niche audiences through subscription streaming, with MUBI's daily film curation paralleling ShortsTV's curated short film approach.
• Tubi: Tubi is one of the largest free ad-supported streaming services in the US (owned by Fox). ShortsTV's FAST channels compete for ad-supported CTV audience attention with Tubi's free film/TV content library and Tubi's own short-form content investments.
• Kino Lorber: Kino Lorber is a major independent US film distributor handling theatrical releases, home video, and digital distribution for cinephile and indie films including short form. Directly comparable as an indie film distributor handling theatrical, Pay-TV, and digital channels for similar curator-class content.
• The Criterion Channel: Criterion Channel (operated by Janus Films/Criterion Collection) is a curated SVOD service focused on classic, independent, and short films. Highly comparable as both services curate cinephile-grade content from independent distributors, including curated short film categories, via subscription streaming.
• Crackle (Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment): Crackle is a free ad-supported streaming service offering movies and TV, including indie and genre content. Comparable as another AVOD player distributing indie/curated film content including shorter-form programs across CTV, with similar ad-supported monetization model.
• Pluto TV: Pluto TV is one of the largest FAST platforms globally (now owned by Paramount). ShortsTV operates its 'Shorts' channel on Pluto TV as a distribution partner; the two compete for audience attention on the same FAST interfaces and for ad-supported short/curated video content on CTV.

Regional players

• Viddsee: Viddsee is a short-form video platform focused on Asia (particularly Southeast Asia) that distributes short films from regional filmmakers and has integrations with Pay-TV. Comparable as a short-form video storytelling platform with regional geographic focus, similar to ShortsTV's India/Asia regional operations and the upcoming Asia channel launch.

Broad incumbents

• Sundance Now / AMC+: Sundance Now is a specialty indie film streaming service owned by AMC Networks (ShortsTV's significant minority shareholder). Closely linked via shared ownership and competes for independent/curated film audiences via SVOD, offering short-form and indie content alongside features.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ShortsTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShortsTV
• Instagraminstagram.com/shortstv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about ShortsTV