Dropout
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
Dropout firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dropout
- Legal name
- Dropout Connected Ventures
- Website
- https://dropout.tv
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dropout industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Comedy Streaming Service
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Subscription Game Libraries & Storefront Bundles (MPAFACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Subscription, Bundling & Membership Distribution (Game Pass-like, Humble-like) (MPAFABAI)
Keywords
Where Dropout is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Dropout business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Subscription Revenue: Three-tier subscription model (Monthly $6.99, Annual $55.99 first year/$69.99 after, Superfan $129.99) generating recurring subscription revenue from paid subscribers
- Physical Merchandise: Sale of physical products including Game Changer Blu-ray releases ($28) and potentially more physical media if initial releases sell well
- Kickstarter/Crowdfunding: Game Changer: Home Edition board game Kickstarter raised $4.3 million from 20,000 backers, demonstrating demand for physical adaptations
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly subscription for ad-free streaming access |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual subscription with first-year discount |
| Subscription | Annual | Premium tier with exclusive perks |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Dropout product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dropout operates an ad-free subscription video streaming service that produces and distributes original unscripted comedy series, game shows, talk shows, and tabletop RPG actual-play content. The platform sells tiered subscriptions directly to consumers via its website and native apps, and supports the core offering with merchandise, physical media, licensed content, and a 24/7 continuous livestream channel.
Product overview
Dropout is a subscription video streaming platform offering original unscripted comedy content through a tiered membership model (Monthly at $6.99, Annual at $55.99 first year/$69.99 thereafter, and Superfan at $129.99). The platform launched in 2018 as a CollegeHumor spinoff and has grown to feature flagship shows including Game Changer (8 seasons of improvised game show), Dimension 20 (30+ seasons of actual-play TTRPG content), Very Important People (3+ seasons of prosthetics-driven improv talk show), Make Some Noise, Dirty Laundry, Um Actually, Smartypants, Gastronauts, Parlor Room, and Crowd Control. The platform expanded into animation with Toonout (2026) and licensed content with Don't Hug Me I'm Scared. Supporting products include the Dropout Store for merchandise, Dropout 24/7 continuous streaming channel, physical media (Game Changer Blu-ray), and board games (Game Changer: Home Edition via Kickstarter). The Superfan tier provides premium perks including exclusive merch, store discounts, early event access, and behind-the-scenes Hub content.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dropout Streaming Platform Subscription video streaming service offering original unscripted comedy series through a tiered subscription model (Monthly $6.99, Annual $55.99 first year then $69.99, Superfan $129.99). Ad-free streaming across web, mobile, and TV apps.
- Game Changer Improvised game show (8 seasons) where each episode presents a new surprise premise that contestants must navigate, challenging improvisational skills.
- Dimension 20 Actual-play tabletop RPG series (30+ seasons) where Game Master Brennan Lee Mulligan guides comedians and pro gamers through campaign settings including Dungeons & Dragons, Vampire: The Masquerade, and original fantasy worlds.
- Very Important People Prosthetics-driven talk show (3+ seasons) hosted by Vic Michaelis where comedians receive makeovers to be transformed into different personas and then participate in fully-improvised interviews.
- Make Some Noise Game show (4 seasons) where talented contestants compete to bring to life silly prompts through performance.
- Dirty Laundry Talk show (5+ seasons) hosted by Lily Du where four guests share secrets, guess who they belong to, and enjoy drinks together.
- Um, Actually Nerd trivia game show (11 seasons) featuring fandom minutiae competition where contestants correct errors and showcase encyclopedic nerd knowledge at speed.
- Smartypants Talk show (3 seasons) where comedians ask and explore unusual questions, blending intellectual inquiry with comedy.
- Gastronauts Culinary competition show (2 seasons) where culinary masterminds compete in challenges created by unhinged comedians.
- Parlor Room Game night show (2 seasons) hosted by Becca Scott where comedian friends gather to play various party and tabletop games.
- Crowd Control Improvised stand-up show (1 season) where the audience drives the content through interactive crowd work and participation.
- Toonout Original animated shorts series featuring 25 independent animated shorts from artists with credits on productions including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Amphibia. Dropout's first animated content series since launch.
- Game Changer: Home Edition Physical board game adaptation of the Game Changer show, translating the improvisational game show format into a party game playable without a facilitator. Kickstarter raised over $4.3 million from 20,000 backers.
- Game Changer Blu-ray Physical media release of Game Changer Seasons 1-2 on Blu-ray, sold at $28 from the Dropout store. First physical media experiment for the company.
- Dropout 24/7 Continuous 24/7 livestream channel airing Dropout content around the clock, starting with Dimension 20 and expanding to other shows including Very Important People, Game Changer, and deep cuts like Kingpin Katie.
- Don't Hug Me I'm Scared Licensed surreal puppet show series acquired through Dropout's first-ever licensing deal. Three-year non-exclusive agreement with web series available immediately and TV series streaming biweekly.
- Dropout Store E-commerce platform for Dropout merchandise including apparel, collectibles, and exclusive Superfan products.
- Dropout Mobile and TV Apps Native applications across iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, Smart TV (LG, Vizio, Samsung), and Xbox One platforms enabling streaming access on various devices.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1 million paid subscribers reached
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Dropout
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Dropout technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Dropout partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Game Changer Board Game Backers (Kickstarter)coreCrowdfunding partnership through Kickstarter for 'Game Changer: Home Edition' board game. Campaign raised $4.3 million from 20,000 backers against $40,000 goal, with success funding three additional games planned for next year.
- ABCflagshipMajor network crossover partnership where Dropout Game Changer stars appear as themselves in ABC's police procedural 'The Rookie' episode titled 'Fun and Games.' Characters Nolan and Celina respond to a robbery call at Dropout TV studios, featuring Vic Michaelis, Jacob Wysocki, Zac Oyama, Anna Garcia, and CEO Sam Reich. The crossover provides Dropout exposure to ABC's broader audience ahead of streaming availability on Hulu.
- SXSWcoreDropout partnered with SXSW for the 2026 Comedy Festival (19th edition), part of the broader 40th SXSW festival. Features stand-up showcases, improv, game shows, live podcast recordings with Dropout comedians performing at various Austin venues.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Dropout competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Patreon: Subscription platform used by independent creators to monetize audiences directly. Comparable as an alternative creator-direct monetization model and benchmark for talent-friendly revenue sharing economics.
- Gaumont (Comedy / Animation): Independent production studio with comedy and animation slates sold to streaming platforms. Comparable as a content production counterpart whose work is acquired by the same streamers Dropout competes with for audience attention.
Broad incumbents
- Netflix: Global subscription streaming incumbent where a Dropout subscriber explicitly compared preference. Comparable as subscription video distribution competitor at scale, though Dropout occupies an unscripted-comedy niche Netflix largely does not serve.
- Twitch: Largest live streaming platform for gaming and creator content, including live actual-play and improv comedy. Comparable as a streaming distribution and audience monetization layer for the kind of unscripted gaming-adjacent content Dropout produces.
- YouTube Premium: Ad-free subscription tier of the dominant video platform where Dropout already maintains ~10M monthly views. Comparable as an alternative subscription video offering; threat and distribution partner simultaneously.
Direct peers
- Nebula: Creator-owned subscription streaming platform offering educational and entertainment video content from independent creators. Comparable as a subscription, ad-free, creator-friendly alternative to mainstream streaming, targeting similar niche audiences.
- CollegeHumor: Dropout's predecessor and original brand, now operating as a separate sketch-comedy production company. Highly comparable as both originated from the same parent and serve the same comedy-enthusiast audience with similar digital-first formats.
- Rooster Teeth: Digital-first media company producing original comedy, gaming, and animation content with subscription streaming and large YouTube presence. Historically a close analog of Dropout's model before its 2024 shutdown, illustrating the structural challenges of independent streaming.
- Headgum: Podcast-first comedy network producing and distributing comedy shows with subscription and YouTube distribution. Comparable to Dropout in target audience, creator-friendly economics, and direct-to-consumer model for indie comedy.
- CritRole: Independent production company behind the leading actual-play tabletop RPG series with subscription streaming on Beacon.tv and strong Twitch/YouTube audiences. Closely comparable given Dropout's Dimension 20 actual-play franchise and similar creator-led, talent-friendly model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Dropout social profiles
Digital presenceDropout financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dropout leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Dropout funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dropout M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dropout
What does Dropout do?
Dropout operates an ad-free subscription video streaming service that produces and distributes original unscripted comedy series, game shows, talk shows, and tabletop RPG actual-play content. The platform sells tiered subscriptions directly to consumers via its website and native apps, and supports the core offering with merchandise, physical media, licensed content, and a 24/7 continuous livestream channel.
Is Dropout a public or private company?
Dropout is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Dropout founded?
Dropout was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Dropout based?
Dropout is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Dropout make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Subscription Revenue is the primary driver. The others are physical Merchandise and kickstarter/Crowdfunding.
Who are Dropout's main competitors?
Others on record are Patreon and Gaumont (Comedy / Animation). Broad incumbents are Netflix, Twitch and YouTube Premium. Direct peers are Nebula, CollegeHumor, Rooster Teeth, Headgum and CritRole.
Does Dropout have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dropout.
What industry is Dropout in?
Dropout's product category is Comedy Streaming Service. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFACAE, Subscription Game Libraries & Storefront Bundles, with a secondary code of MPAFABAI, Subscription, Bundling & Membership Distribution (Game Pass-like, Humble-like). Its NAICS code is 51621 and its SIC code is 4841.