Dropout (media company)

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For the production company which runs Dropout, see CollegeHumor.
Dropout TV
Type of site
Headquarters2012 Hyperion Avenue,
Los Angeles, California
,
United States
Area servedWorldwide
OwnerSam Reich
IndustryInternet
ParentCH Media (DBA Dropout)
URLwww.dropout.tv
RegistrationRequired
LaunchedSeptember 26, 2018; 5 years ago (2018-09-26)
Current statusActive

Dropout (stylized as Dropout.tv, DROPOUT, or :DROPOUT) is an American boutique subscription streaming service run by the production company of the same name (formerly CollegeHumor), founded in September 2018. Dropout streams original programming, and does not run advertisements. Their content is mainly composed of live play and improv comedy, such as Dimension 20, hosted by Brennan Lee Mulligan, and Game Changer, hosted by Dropout owner Sam Reich.

History[edit]

CollegeHumor[edit]

Under majority ownership of IAC[1], in early September 2018 CollegeHumor began teasing the beginning of a new subscription service, putting hidden keyword clues on their website and in their YouTube videos.[2] Entering these keywords into a website owned by CollegeHumor allowed users to see clips of videos, audio, and images that implied the beginning of a new CollegeHumor project.[2]

On September 26, 2018, Dropout officially launched in the United States.[3][4] CollegeHumor's CEO, Rich Cusick, announced the service as a "TV-MA version of CollegeHumor" that would "allow us to double down our investment into premium original content, resulting in a bigger, better, badder College Humor."[5][6] Dropout was also pitched as a way to allow fans to dive deeper into pre-established popular characters and shows from CollegeHumor's YouTube channel.[5] CollegeHumor's Chief Creative Officer, Sam Reich, also claimed that the founding of Dropout was in response to difficulty in receiving advertising dollars on traditional media platforms for mature content.[7] At launch, Dropout announced a mix of scripted and unscripted content, as well as digital comics and chat-story content and a subscriber-only Discord.[6] Reich described the programming plan at launch as a balance between "acquisition" and retention," with a plan that "higher-budget, mostly scripted programming" got users "through the paywall," and "lower-budget unscripted programming en masse" would be used to retain new subscribers.[8]

Dropout utilizes CollegeHumor spinoff Vimeo as its hosting service.[9] Dropout officially launched native iOS and Android apps for its service in December 2018, allowing users to watch shows and also cast to smart TVs. Comics and chat stories were also integrated into the app.[10]

Independent ownership[edit]

In January of 2020, IAC announced it had ceased financing CollegeHumor, leading to the layoff of over 100 employees.[1][11] IAC unsuccessfully attempted to sell CollegeHumor to numerous studios and entertainment companies at this time.[12][13] However, because of Dropout's business plan projecting launch and business plan, IAC sold CollegeHumor to then Chief Creative Officer Reich in 2020, who then transitioned to CEO.[14][15] IAC still has a minority stake in Dropout.[1] Dropout ended production on scripted shows and focused on unscripted shows such as Um, Actually, Dimension 20, and Game Changer, briefly producing these series through online conference during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the July-November 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, Dropout series such as Dimension 20, Game Changer and Um, Actually were initially shut down.[16] Reich stated:

Because we aren't associated with the AMPTP, it's possible we may be able to reach an interim agreement with SAG that allows us to continue to produce content during the strike. But we'll only do that, obviously, if we get the blessing of the union and the buy-in of our performers. If not, we have enough content in the can to last us a little past the end of the year. [...] As for me, I intend to honor my union's position that I not promote SAG productions as a performer – even if they are produced by me. That means that I won't personally be promoting any of our shows for the time being.[17]

In August 2023, Reich announced that all Dropout shows resumed production as it was determined that their "New Media Agreement for Non-Dramatic Programming" was actually a non-struck SAG-AFTRA contract.[18][19][20]

Also in August 2023, NPR stated that "Dropout has not shared their official subscriber count, but Reich says it's in the mid-hundreds of thousands. He's very aware that doesn't come close to the hundreds of millions of subscribers that large media companies have, but, to him, that's not necessarily a problem. ... Though they're not required to by unions, he said Dropout is working to become one of the first streamers to pay residuals to their writers, actors, and crew members".[21] Dropout's overall subscriber count almost doubled during 2023.[20]

Dropout officially retired all CollegeHumor branding in September 2023.[22] Later that year, Dropout shared its profit with its employees and other workers.[23][20]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Dropout's show Very Important People was the People's Voice Winner in the video comedy category at the 2024 Webby Awards.[24]

In 2023, CEO Reich announced that Dropout would be submitting for Emmy consideration Game Changer for Outstanding Game Show and Reich for Outstanding Host for a Game Show.[25][26] However, because of the 2023 Writers Guild of America Strike, Dropout declined to spend money on a formal For Your Consideration campaign and donated what the streamer would have spent to the Entertainment Community Fund.[27] Dropout was not nominated in 2023.[28][29]

In 2024, Dropout again submitted to the Emmy Awards in numerous categories, including Game Changer and Reich again, as well as editor Sam Geer for Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming of Game Changer, Very Important People for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Variety or Drama Series and host Vic Michaelis for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.[30][31] Dimension 20's popular season Dungeons and Drag Queens was ineligible for submission in both Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Outstanding Variety Series categories because the number of episodes did not meet Emmy requirements in either category.[30]

Dropout also submitted Game Changer for Peabody consideration in 2024.[20]

Availability[edit]

Dropout is available worldwide; as of 2024 around 60% of subscribers were in the United States.[23]

Subscription model[edit]

Dropout launched with a beta price of $3.99 per month, for the first three months of the service. After December 2018, the price rose to a three tiered option, with monthly memberships for $5.99/month, semi-annual memberships for $4.99/month, and annual memberships for $3.99/month.[32] As of 4 January 2022, new subscribers paid $5.99 monthly or $59.99 yearly, while those who already subscribed prior to that date were charged $4.99 monthly or $47.99 yearly.[33] Users are also able to access Dropout content through YouTube via the join function. The company has justified the pricing model as allowing them to create content without being dependent on, or beholden to, requests from advertisers.[34]

In December 2018, visitors to the service spent on average 31 minutes per visit, and visited on average 3.5 times per week.[10] Throughout 2019, Dropout began to experiment with more live streaming versions of their shows, through using Twitch and podcast-like formats. At the end of 2023, the average user subscribed for 18 months.[20]

In August 2019, CollegeHumor also began to partner with Facebook to offer Dropout content via paid video subscriptions on Facebook's platform.[35]

Services[edit]

In addition to original series, Dropout offered videos produced by CollegeHumor 72 hours before they were released to the public. Previously, a subscriber-only Discord server was included as a service, later expanded to non-subscribers as well, until its closure on May 26, 2024.[36] Dropout also has a store which sells merchandise (such as shirts, stickers, and mugs) related to shows on the platform.[37][38]

Original shows[edit]

See also: CollegeHumor § List of CH Originals series

Shows on Dropout are usually released fortnightly, a schedule used more often for podcasts than for television.[20]

Dropout planned to release a new original title per month in 2019, according to Sam Reich.[6][39]

By 2020, the service had retired all scripted shows in favor of cheaper and more successful unscripted content.[22]

Dirty Laundry, Play It By Ear, and Make Some Noise, each spun off from Game Changer, premiered throughout 2022. In 2023, Dropout started airing the improvisational interview show Very Important People, and the service will introduce several new shows in 2024, including Smartypants, Nobody Asked, Gastronauts, Dropout Presents, and Thousandaires.[40][41][42]

Title Genre Description Premiere Seasons Length Status
Lonely and Horny Comedy A continuation of the 2016 Jake and Amir webseries Lonely and Horny. The series was removed from Dropout in 2019. April 8, 2016 2 seasons, 20 episodes 10 mins Ended
Breaking News Comedy A group of newscasters must read silly or strange text on a teleprompter, losing points each time they laugh. July 7, 2018 7 seasons, 93 episodes 10 mins Airing
Dimension 20 Actual play A role-playing show primarily hosted by Brennan Lee Mulligan, in which comedians play tabletop role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons. September 12, 2018[43] 21 seasons, 235 episodes 120 mins Airing
Cartoon Hell Animated series An animated series starring by Caldwell Tanner and Nathan Yaffe, in which they must draw cartoons based on provided suggestions. September 26, 2018[44] 2 seasons, 36 episodes 20 mins Ended
See Plum Run Comedy A continuation of Precious Plum, a satire of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, starring Elaine Carroll and Josh Ruben as a child beauty pageant contestant and her mother. September 26, 2018[45] 1 season, 12 episodes 15 mins Ended
Um, Actually Game show A game show hosted by Mike Trapp, later Ify Nwadiwe, in which contestants must correct inaccurate statements about pop culture. September 28, 2018 [46] 9 seasons, 143 episodes 30 mins Airing
Erotic Book Club Comedy A book club show hosted by Jess Ross and Rekha Shankar, in which they and their guests read and discuss online erotic stories and fanfiction. December 29, 2018[47] 1 season, 19 episodes[47][48] 60 mins Ended
WTF 101 Adult animation An animated parody of The Magic School Bus starring Mary Pat Gleason, which teaches about gross and/or disturbing subjects. January 7, 2019[49] 1 season, 10 episodes 10 mins Ended
Total Forgiveness Reality television A reality series starring Ally Beardsley and Grant O'Brien, in which they must undergo difficult challenges to pay off their student loans. February 6, 2019[50] 1 season, 10 episodes 20 mins Ended
The Rank Room Talk show A talk show hosted by Katie Marovitch, in which a panel provide possible answers to a provided question and then rank them. March 7, 2019[51] 1 season, 17 episodes 20 mins Ended
Troopers Comedy A continuation of the 2011 sci-fi parody series Troopers, focusing on a new cast of characters. April 8, 2019 1 season, 9 episodes 15 mins Ended
Paranoia Comedy A social deduction game hosted by Ally Beardsley, in which players must guess which one of them is currently under the influence of marijuana. April 20, 2019 2 seasons, 15 episodes 20 mins Ended
Kingpin Katie Crime comedy A satire of event television such as Breaking Bad, in which Katie Marovitch unwittingly becomes a high-profile drug dealer. June 10, 2019[52] 1 season, 8 episodes 15 mins Ended
Gods of Food Mockumentary A mockumentary in the style of Chef's Table, which follows the careers of unusual chefs. August 8, 2019[53] 1 season, 6 episodes 20 mins Ended
Game Changer Game show A game show hosted by Sam Reich, in which the premise changes each episode and the players do not know the rules. September 20, 2019[54] 6 seasons, 57 episodes 30 mins Airing
Ultramechatron Team Go! Comedy A parody of Mecha anime and manga, featuring four pilots in a giant robot battling aliens. October 3, 2019[55] 1 season, 11 episodes 15 mins Ended
Where in the Eff is Sarah Cincinnati Game show A parody of Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? hosted by Rekha Shankar, in which players must use their geography knowledge to find Sarah Cincinnati (Christine Medrano), who has gotten herself lost. December 18, 2019[56] 1 season, 6 episodes[57] 20 mins Ended
Dimension 20's Adventuring Party Aftershow A talkback show in which the cast of Dimension 20 discuss the most recent episode. April 14, 2020[58] 16 seasons, 164 episodes 30 mins Airing
Erotic Clubhouse Comedy A spinoff of Erotic Book Club, in which Jess Ross and Rekha Shankar write erotic fanfiction. June 25, 2020 1 season, 10 episodes[59] 60 mins Ended
Dirty Laundry Game show A spinoff of Game Changer hosted by Lily Du, in which contestants play "never have I ever" and earn points for guessing correctly or deceiving the other players. April 11, 2022[60] 3 seasons, 31 episodes 40 mins Renewed
Make Some Noise Improvisational comedy A spinoff of Game Changer hosted by Sam Reich, in which contestants must improvise scenes based on provided prompts. June 13, 2022[61][62] 2 seasons, 27 episodes 30 mins Renewed
Play It By Ear Musical improv[63] A spinoff of Game Changer hosted by Mano Agapion, in which players must improvise a musical incorporating suggestions from the host. September 13, 2022[64][65] 2 seasons, 16 episodes 40 mins Renewed
Very Important People Improvisational comedy Talk show A talk show parody hosted by Vic Michaelis, in which comedians are placed in elaborate costumes and make-up, and must participate in an improvised in-character interview. December 15, 2023[66][67] 1 season, 12 episodes 20 mins Renewed
Smartypants Comedy A comedy series hosted by Rekha Shankar, in which comedians must research and give a presentation on unusual subjects to a group of their peers. April 25, 2024[68] 1 season, 10 episodes[69] 30 mins Airing
Thousandaires Comedy A panel show in which a group of comedians each have $1000 to spend on activities with the others, with the most fun activity being declared the winner. May 31, 2024[70] 1 season, 6 episodes[71] Upcoming
Dropout Presents Stand-up A series of stand-up comedy, solo shows, and improv specials performed in front of a live audience. June 2024[72][73] 1 season, 7 specials/episodes[74] Upcoming
Nobody Asked Mockumentary A mockumentary series in which the hosts attempt to answer ridiculous questions. 2024[41] Upcoming
Gastronauts Comedy, Cooking show A cooking show featuring professional chefs and Dropout's rotating cast. 2024[42] Upcoming

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Ha, Anthony (September 26, 2018). "CollegeHumor unveils Dropout, a subscription service for comedy videos, comics and more". TechCrunch. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Dropout (September 18, 2018). /o\ UPLOAD ERROR_DEFAULT1_DREAD /o\. Retrieved May 22, 2024 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ "How the Internet Is Ruining Comedy". YouTube. CollegeHumor. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  4. ^ Raftery, Brian (September 26, 2018). "The Latest Company to Try a Subscription Streamer? CollegeHumor". Wired. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Godnick, Max (September 26, 2018). "CollegeHumor Bets on the Profane With New Subscription Service". Cheddar. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Spangler, Todd (September 26, 2018). "CollegeHumor Launches Subscription Service for Edgy, Advertiser-Unfriendly Comedy". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  7. ^ Minor, Jordan (November 14, 2018). "CollegeHumor Dropout Is Premium Streaming Internet Comedy". Geek.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
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  9. ^ "Copyright Policy - Dropout". www.dropout.tv. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Weiss, Geoff (December 10, 2018). "CollegeHumor Launches Native iOS, Android Apps For 'Dropout' Subscription Service". TubeFilter. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  11. ^ Squires, Bethy (September 26, 2023). "Dropout's Playbook for Surviving an Unforgiving Internet". Vulture. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  12. ^ "Roll for Persuasion - Conversations With Creators | Dropping Out with Sam Reich". Roll for Persuasion - Conversations With Creators. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
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  16. ^ "What Does the SAG-AFTRA Strike Mean for Actual Play Shows?". Gizmodo. July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  17. ^ Reich, Sam [@samreich] (July 15, 2023). "Dropout production is right now on hold. Because we aren't associated with the AMPTP, it's possible we may be able to reach an interim agreement with SAG that allows us to continue to produce content during the strike. [THREAD]" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ Reich, Sam [@samreich] (August 8, 2023). "Dropout is back in production. 🫡 Details below. 👇 [Thread]" (Tweet). Retrieved August 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Carter, Justin (August 8, 2023). "Streaming Platform Dropout Is Resuming Production". Gizmodo. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Maas, Jennifer (December 11, 2023). "Dropout CEO Talks Doubling CollegeHumor Successor's Streaming Subs and Content Output, Price Increase Plans and First Profit Sharing". Variety.
  21. ^ Wilson, Tilda (August 12, 2023). "Amid streaming chaos, Dropout carves out its own niche". NPR. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  22. ^ a b Polo, Susana (September 26, 2023). "Dropout's dropping CollegeHumor on its 5th anniversary — here's why and what the future holds". Polygon.
  23. ^ a b Cheong, Wayne (April 22, 2024). "ESQnA with Sam Reich, CEO of Dropout and Host of Game Changer". Esquire Singapore.
  24. ^ "Very Important People". Webby Awards. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  25. ^ Reich, Sam [@samreich] (June 5, 2023). "So, inspired by Hank, we are in fact submitting Game Changer for an Emmy. If you're an academy member, or know any academy members, please consider giving us your vote and/or spreading the word about our silly little show! 🙏🗳️ #emmyforgamechanger" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Davis, Clayton (August 24, 2023). "Emmys: Game Show and Host – Could Keke Palmer Benefit From 'Jeopardy' and 'Wheel of Fortune' Vote Split?". Variety. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  27. ^ Reich, Sam [@samreich] (June 5, 2023). "Also, the timing of this feels a bit awkward given that our industry is very nearly on a general strike. So, we're taking what money we *would* have spent on a For Your Consideration campaign ($10k) and donating it to the Entertainment Community Fund: https://entertainmentcommunity.org" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  28. ^ "Outstanding Game Show Nominees / Winners 2023". Television Academy. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  29. ^ "Outstanding Host For A Game Show Nominees / Winners 2023". Television Academy. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Davis, Clayton (May 8, 2024). "Dropout Jumps Into Emmys With 'Game Changer' and 'Very Important People,' 'Dimension 20' Not Eligible for Submission (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  31. ^ Fleming, Ryan (May 21, 2024). "Comedy-Focused Dropout "Determined To Be Unique" In Streaming With Shows Like 'Game Changer' & 'Dungeons & Drag Queens'". Deadline. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
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  35. ^ England, Rachel. "Facebook tests paid video subscriptions, starting with CollegeHumor". Engadget. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  36. ^ "Discord - A New Way to Chat with Friends & Communities". Discord. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  37. ^ "DROPOUT Store". DROPOUT Store, Connected Ventures, LLC. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  38. ^ "CollegeHumor Partners With Rooster Teeth's Podcast Network 'The Roost'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  39. ^ Donahue, Matt. "CollegeHumor's DROPOUT Unveils Slate of Upcoming Originals". But Why Tho Podcast. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
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  45. ^ See Plum Run (TV Series 2018– ) - IMDb, retrieved September 9, 2020
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  47. ^ a b Erotic Book Club (Comedy), December 29, 2018, retrieved September 9, 2020
  48. ^ "Erotic Book Club". DROPOUT. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
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  50. ^ Total Forgiveness (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, retrieved September 9, 2020
  51. ^ The Rank Room (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, retrieved September 9, 2020
  52. ^ Kingpin Katie (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, retrieved September 9, 2020
  53. ^ Bennett, Anita (July 16, 2019). "Mockumentary Cooking Series 'Gods of Food' To Debut On CollegeHumor's Dropout In August". Deadline. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
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  55. ^ Ultramechatron Team Go! (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, retrieved September 29, 2023
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  69. ^ "Smartypants premiers tomorrow... what are your wishes for it?". r/dropout. April 24, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  70. ^ Polo, Susana (May 3, 2024). "Dropout's newest game show asks who wants to be a... thousandaire?". Polygon. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  71. ^ Polo, Susana (May 3, 2024). "Dropout's newest game show asks who wants to be a... thousandaire?". Polygon. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
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  73. ^ Green, Hank [@hankgreen] (May 16, 2024). "I AM BEING TOLD…that in fact June 12 may have been overly ambitious and it will be later in June!!!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  74. ^ Hailu, Selome (May 8, 2024). "Hank Green's 'Pissing Out Cancer' Stand-Up Special to Launch 'Dropout Presents' Comedy Series". Variety. Retrieved May 22, 2024.

External links[edit]

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