C3 Entertainment , Inc.

What C3 Entertainment , Inc. does

C3 Entertainment, Inc. is a privately held entertainment company headquartered in Burbank, California, founded in 1959 as Comedy III Productions by The Three Stooges and now operating under family stewardship. The company specializes in three interlocking business lines: licensing and brand management of classic entertainment estates, motion picture and television production, and worldwide distribution of a content library spanning thousands of titles. Its core intellectual property includes exclusive worldwide representation rights for The Three Stooges (220+ films, 60+ years of brand history), Ritchie Valens (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee), The Big Bopper, the Winter Dance Party, and other personality and art brands such as Michael Grandinetti, Chef Jason Santos, and Motor Marc Art.

The company's technology footprint centers on free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) distribution operated through its wholly owned subsidiary Valorous Media, Inc., which manages three channels: Three Stooges+ (190+ classic shorts and feature films), Valorous TV (1,500+ programs focused on heroism and military valor), and DogHouse TV+ (pet- and animal-rescue content). FAST channels are distributed across Sling TV, Amazon Freevee, MyFree DIRECTV, TCL, Cineverse, and additional platforms. The company also operates an Art, Technology, and Web Solutions department that delivers brand assets, logos, and trademarks to licensees digitally.

C3's revenue mechanics span licensing royalties from 100+ licensees producing thousands of products worldwide across apparel, food, collectibles, and footwear categories; advertising revenue from FAST channel distribution; transaction-based worldwide library distribution; rights-licensed advertising and promotional integrations (including past campaigns for Sony, Carl's Jr., Coors, MasterCard, Verizon, and Super Bowl advertisements); and direct retail via the affiliated ShopKnuckleheads storefront. Customer segments include licensing licensees (B2B), entertainment consumers via streaming and consumer products, advertising agencies (B2B), and vertical audience personas including heroism viewers, music heritage fans, dog enthusiasts, magic enthusiasts, and culinary content viewers.

Name

C3 Entertainment , Inc.

Legal name

C3 Entertainment, Inc.

Website

https://c3entertainment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

C3 Entertainment is a privately held, family-owned entertainment company that manages classic and modern entertainment estates (The Three Stooges, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper), licenses them to 100+ global licensees, and operates three FAST streaming channels (Three Stooges+, Valorous TV, DogHouse TV+) through its Valorous Media subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entertainment Licensing & Brand Management

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Music Publishers (51223)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Branded Content & Sponsorship Licensing (Integrations, Product Placement) (MPABANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Program Format Licensing (Scripted & Unscripted) (MPABANAA), Pay-TV / Premium Window Distribution (MPADAJAH), Royalty, Reporting & Revenue Share Administration (MPADALAJ)

Keywords

• Brand licensing management
• Entertainment content distribution
• FAST streaming channels
• Motion picture production
• Iconic brand management

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Licensing & Brand Management: Managing licensing and merchandise programs for owned brands including The Three Stooges, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, Winter Dance Party, and others. C3 began in licensing long before there was an established licensing industry.
2. Film/TV Production: Motion picture, television, digital and home entertainment production. Includes The Three Stooges Movie (2012) which earned $100M and sold 1M DVDs.
3. Distribution: Worldwide distribution of extensive film library containing thousands of titles across all media platforms.
4. Digital Streaming Services: FAST channel operations through Valorous Media including Three Stooges+, Valorous TV, and DogHouse TV+ on platforms like Sling TV, Amazon Freevee, and MyFree DIRECTV.
5. Advertising & Promotions: Brands utilized in advertising and promotional campaigns worldwide including national TV campaigns, Super Bowl ads, and international promotions for major brands like Sony, Carl's Jr., Coors, MasterCard, Verizon.
6. Retail Sales: Direct retail through affiliated ShopKnuckleheads online store for branded merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

C3 Entertainment manages licensing and brand management programs for world-famous entertainment brands including The Three Stooges, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and Winter Dance Party through over 100 global licensees. The company also produces motion picture and television content, distributes a library of thousands of titles worldwide, and operates three FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) channels — Three Stooges+, Valorous TV, and DogHouse TV+ — distributed on major streaming platforms.

Product overview

C3 Entertainment, Inc. is a diversified entertainment company with a platform-plus-services architecture. The company operates three core streaming channels—Three Stooges+ (FAST comedy channel), Valorous TV (heroism-focused subscription/FAST channel), and DogHouse TV+ (pet-focused FAST channel)—alongside managing a portfolio of iconic entertainment brands including The Three Stooges, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, Winter Dance Party, Chef Jason Santos, Michael Grandinetti, and Motor Marc Art. The company provides licensing and brand management services (supporting over 100 licensees), worldwide distribution of its content library (thousands of titles), and film production services. Founded over 60 years ago originally as Comedy III Productions by The Three Stooges, the company has evolved to encompass digital streaming, content licensing, and original production across multiple platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Three Stooges: The legendary comedy trio brand managed by C3, spanning film, TV, gaming, publishing, home video, retail, and licensing.
• The Three Stooges Movie (2012)
• The Three Little Stooges
• Ritchie Valens
• Winter Dance Party
• The Big Bopper
• Chef Jason Santos
• Michael Grandinetti
• Motor Marc Art
• Better Off Dead
• Curly The Mega Stooge
• Valorous TV
• DogHouse TV+
• Three Stooges+
• Faith Stories and Secrets

Products and services

• Three Stooges+ A FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) channel offering over 190 iconic Three Stooges shorts, feature films, TV specials, documentaries, cartoons, and rare solo performances. Available on Sling TV, Amazon Freevee, MyFree DIRECTV, and additional streaming platforms.
• Valorous TV A premium streaming platform dedicated to telling stories of courage, character, and sacrifice, described as 'Home for the Heroes.' Features films, documentaries, series, and original content focused on heroism across history and modern times, including law enforcement, emergency responders, and everyday heroes.
• DogHouse TV+ A FAST and AVOD streaming channel devoted to dog lovers, featuring family-friendly content centered around canine companions, including original programming, documentaries, reality series, and live events such as Dog Makeover and Furever Nevada.
• Licensing & Brand Management C3's Licensing Division manages licensing and merchandise programs for all company brands, with over 100 licensees in hundreds of product categories producing thousands of different products worldwide. Services include brand positioning, product approval, and digital asset delivery.
• Distribution Global distribution of C3's extensive library of thousands of titles including motion pictures, television shows, documentaries, docu-dramas, and animated features across all media platforms worldwide.
• Film/Production Motion picture and television production services including association with major studios like Twentieth Century Fox for theatrical releases such as The Three Stooges Movie (2012).
• The Three Stooges (Brand) The flagship brand of C3 Entertainment, The Three Stooges is one of the most enduring comedic acts in cinematic history, spanning nearly 100 years with over 220 films, television shows, cartoons, and continuous play on television every day. Licensed across film, TV, gaming, publishing, home video, retail, and merchandise categories.
• Ritchie Valens (Brand) Rock music's first Latino star known for hits 'La Bamba' and 'Donna,' credited as the forefather of the Chicano rock movement. C3 is the exclusive worldwide representative for the Ritchie Valens brand. Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with 'La Bamba' selected for Library of Congress National Recording Registry.
• The Big Bopper (Brand) One of the original pioneers of Rock n' Roll, known for 'Chantilly Lace' which went gold and platinum. C3 is the exclusive worldwide representative for The Big Bopper brand.
• Winter Dance Party (Brand) A tribute show commemorating the infamous 1959 tour by rock legends Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. C3 is developing an all-new motion picture about the Winter Dance Party.
• The Three Stooges Movie (2012) The first new Three Stooges motion picture in over 50 years, released by Twentieth Century Fox Studios in association with C3 Entertainment. Starring Will Sasso, Sean Hayes, and Chris Diamantopoulos. Earned $100M at box office and sold 1M DVDs.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Three Stooges Movie (2012) earned $100M worldwide and sold 1M DVDs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ITN DistributioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 September 2025C3 Entertainment acquired new feature films from ITN Distribution for DogHouse TV+ and Valorous TV content libraries. Films include Dognapped, Space Pups, Operation Cicero, Revolution 1917, The Contractor, The Burning of Atlanta, Honor Among Thieves, and Life After Prison.
• Hollywood GroomingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2025Partnership for Dog Makeover series on DogHouse TV+. Hollywood Grooming, voted #1 best mobile grooming by LA Magazine, provides professional grooming services for shelter dogs featured in show.
• National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and MuseumcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 3 February 2025Officially licensed bobbleheads featuring Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and The Three Stooges. First bobbleheads of these musicians produced by the Hall of Fame.
• Furever Nevada FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2024Partnership to launch original series Furever Nevada on DogHouseTV channel. Furever Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rescuing senior dogs off euthanasia lists.
• Sony Pictures TelevisioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 January 2024Finalized deal to license all 190 episodes of The Three Stooges black-and-white shorts for streaming on Three Stooges+ Channel. Content presented in remastered HD quality.
• Jade City FoodscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 2 May 2023Licensing deal for hot sauces and coffee inspired by Winter Dance Party, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. Products include four hot sauce flavors and two coffee blends sold online.
• NVR ShoescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 24 April 2019Licensee for The Three Stooges and Motor Marc Art brands for custom sneakers. Products available at theavelosangeles.com featuring NVR5 sneakers with DTG-Print technology.
• Valorous Media, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for digital streaming subscription service Valorous TV featuring heroism, historical storytelling, and inspiring narratives. Valorous Media manages C3's FAST channels.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cinedigm: Independent distributor and FAST channel operator (formerly Cinedigm, now operating as Cineverse-adjacent). Comparable business model of acquiring/licensing content and operating niche FAST channels across major streaming platforms.
• FilmRise: Independent film and TV distributor and FAST channel operator with a large content library distributed across major AVOD/FAST platforms. Comparable in channel portfolio structure (multiple niche FAST channels), licensing approach, and content acquisition strategy.
• Cineverse (formerly Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment): Public entertainment company operating a portfolio of FAST channels (including Dove Channel, Docurama) and a content library of thousands of titles. Closest public-market comparable in FAST portfolio strategy and library monetization approach; also distributes C3's Three Stooges+ on its platform.
• Shout! Factory (Shout! Studios): Closest comparable: independent entertainment company that owns/manages classic film and TV libraries, runs FAST channels (Shout! TV, Mystery Science Theater 3000, etc.), and operates a licensing/merchandising business. Same business model as C3 across licensing, distribution, and FAST streaming of legacy content.

Emerging players

• MVD Entertainment Group: Independent home entertainment distributor with a large catalog of films and music content distributed across physical, digital, and FAST channels. Comparable in independent distribution model and library-driven revenue approach.
• Sonar Entertainment: Independent entertainment company with TV/film library, content distribution, and production operations. Comparable in independent studio model with library-driven revenue and episodic content licensing focus.
• ABBE licencing (formerly Licensing Industries Merchandisers' Association - LIMA) members and brand licensing peers like WildBrain: Canadian entertainment company managing classic children's brands (Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Peanuts) with a licensing-led business model. Highly comparable in IP licensing-centric revenue model, though focused on children's properties rather than adult comedy/music.
• Legend Classic (formerly Legend Films): Independent studio focused on restoring, colorizing, and distributing classic films through streaming and home video. Comparable in monetizing classic film IP through modern distribution channels and niche streaming offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Lionsgate: Large independent studio with deep film/TV library, active licensing/merchandising division, and FAST channel operations (LG Channels, Moviesphere). Comparable in library monetization and content distribution breadth, though much larger and more diversified.
• Entertainment One (eOne / Hasbro): Major entertainment company specializing in content distribution, licensing (Peppa Pig, PJ Masks), and family/character IP management. Comparable in licensing-led business model and family/character brand portfolio focus, but at significantly larger scale under Hasbro ownership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/c3entertainment
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtv8nV6X7VJEp39fwF9SH6Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/c3entertainmentinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/c3-entertainment-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/c3entertainment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 C3 Entertainment , Inc.