Dropout (media company)

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For the parent production company of the same name, 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 is an American 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. Its content is mainly composed of live play, such as Dimension 20 hosted by Brennan Lee Mulligan, and improv comedy shows like Game Changer and Make Some Noise, both hosted by Dropout owner Sam Reich.

History[edit]

CollegeHumor[edit]

Originally founded in 1999 by Josh Abramson and Ricky Van Veen, then independent website CollegeHumor was acquired by holding media and entertainment company IAC.[1] CollegeHumor's work originally only included editorial articles, but eventually expanded to include online video and development and production of TV shows.[2] In 2013, the video production CollegeHumor team moved to Los Angeles to continue to create online and traditional video consisting of shows like Adam Ruins Everything and Hot Date as well sketch and short-form comedy on its YouTube channel.[2] However, ad revenue became increasingly scarce, with YouTube's unfavorable ad rates and an ongoing risk of CollegeHumor's content being demonized on the platform, as well as Facebook's inflated viewership numbers not bringing in anticipated ad sales.[3]

CollegeHumor launched its Droupout video platform on September 26, 2018.[4][5][6] 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."[7][8] 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.[7] 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.[9] 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.[8]

Dropout utilizes CollegeHumor spinoff Vimeo as its hosting service.[10] 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.[11]

Independent ownership[edit]

After launch, Dropout saw that the unscripted and less expensive content both acquired and retained viewers, while more expensive and scripted shows neither acquired nor retained viewers, with the limited exception of WTF 101.[2] Dimension 20 became the most popular show on the platform, followed by Um, Actually and Cartoon Hell.[2] Game Changer, hosted by Reich, would also become a success upon launch in 2019.[2] A year after Dropout's launch, the service had between 75,000–100,000 subscribers.[12] Dropout planned to release a new original title per month in 2019, according to Sam Reich.[8][13] However, the programming slate did not allow Dropout to pivot quickly enough away from scripted content and it was still not profitable by the end of 2019.[14] Because Dropout was in the middle of a $30 million subscription investment, the streamer was on track to "lose" another $10 million by the end of 2019 before it would be profitable.[14][2]

In January of 2020, IAC announced it had ceased financing CollegeHumor, leading to the layoff of over 100 employees.[4][15] IAC unsuccessfully attempted to sell CollegeHumor to numerous studios and entertainment companies at this time.[16][17] However, IAC ultimately sold CollegeHumor to then Chief Creative Officer Reich in 2020, who then transitioned to CEO.[18] IAC still has a minority stake in Dropout.[4] 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.[19] 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.[20]

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.[21][22][23]

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".[24] Dropout's overall subscriber count almost doubled during 2023.[23]

Dropout officially retired all CollegeHumor branding in September 2023.[25] Later that year, Dropout shared its profit with its employees and other workers.[26][23]

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.[27]

Availability[edit]

Dropout is available worldwide; as of 2024 around 60% of subscribers were in the United States.[26]

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.[28] 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.[29] 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.[30]

In December 2018, visitors to the service spent on average 31 minutes per visit, and visited on average 3.5 times per week.[11] 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.[23]

In August 2019, CollegeHumor also began to partner with Facebook to offer Dropout content via paid video subscriptions on Facebook's platform.[31]

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. Dropout also has a store which sells merchandise (such as shirts, stickers, and mugs) related to shows on the platform.[32][33]

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.[23]

Dropout planned to release a new original title per month in 2019, according to Sam Reich.[8][34]

By 2020, the service had retired all scripted shows in favor of cheaper and more successful unscripted content.[25]

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.[35][36][37]

Current and upcoming[edit]

Title Genre Description Premiere Seasons Length Status
Breaking News Comedy Four comedians must act as newscasters and read silly or strange dialogue from 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[38] 21 seasons, 235 episodes 120 mins Airing
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 [39] 9 seasons, 143 episodes 30 mins Airing
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[40] 6 seasons, 57 episodes 30 mins Airing
Dimension 20's Adventuring Party Aftershow A talkback show in which the cast of Dimension 20 discuss the most recent episode. April 14, 2020[41] 16 seasons, 164 episodes 30 mins Airing
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[42] 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[43][44] 2 seasons, 27 episodes 30 mins Renewed
Play It By Ear Musical improv[45] A spinoff of Game Changer hosted by Mano Agapion, in which players must improvise a musical incorporating suggestions from the host. September 13, 2022[46][47] 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[48][49] 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[50] 1 season, 10 episodes 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[51] 1 season, 6 episodes[52] 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[53][54] 1 season, 7 specials/episodes[55] Upcoming
Nobody Asked Mockumentary A mockumentary series in which the hosts attempt to answer ridiculous questions. 2024[36] Upcoming
Gastronauts Comedy, Cooking show A cooking show featuring professional chefs and Dropout's rotating cast. 2024[37] Upcoming

Former[edit]

The following shows have concluded and are no longer producing new episodes.

Title Genre Description Premiere Seasons Length
Cartoon Hell Animated series An animated series starring Caldwell Tanner and Nathan Yaffe, in which they must draw cartoons based on provided suggestions. September 26, 2018[56] 2 seasons, 36 episodes 20 mins
See Plum Run Comedy A continuation of the 2013 CollegeHumor series 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[57] 1 season, 12 episodes 15 mins
Lonely and Horny Comedy A continuation of the 2016 Jake and Amir webseries Lonely and Horny. The series was removed from Dropout in 2019. November 5, 2018 1 seasons, 10 episodes 10 mins
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[58] 1 season, 19 episodes[58][59] 60 mins
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[60] 1 season, 10 episodes 10 mins
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[61] 1 season, 10 episodes 20 mins
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[62] 1 season, 17 episodes 20 mins
Troopers Comedy A continuation of the 2011 CollegeHumor series Troopers, a parody of sci-fi films such as Star Wars, focusing on a new cast of characters. April 8, 2019 1 season, 9 episodes 15 mins
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
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[63] 1 season, 8 episodes 15 mins
Gods of Food Mockumentary A mockumentary in the style of Chef's Table, which follows the careers of unusual chefs. August 8, 2019[64] 1 season, 6 episodes 20 mins
Ultramechatron Team Go! Comedy A parody of Mecha anime and manga, featuring four pilots in a giant robot battling aliens. October 3, 2019[65] 1 season, 11 episodes 15 mins
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[66] 1 season, 6 episodes[67] 20 mins
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[68] 60 mins

References[edit]

  1. ^ Morrissey, Brian (2006-08-15). "CollegeHumor Bought by IAC | Adweek". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "How CollegeHumor lost its early lead". Digiday. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  3. ^ Knibbs, Kate. "CollegeHumor Helped Shape Online Comedy. What Went Wrong?". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  4. ^ a b c Ha, Anthony (2018-09-26). "CollegeHumor unveils Dropout, a subscription service for comedy videos, comics and more". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  5. ^ "How the Internet Is Ruining Comedy". YouTube. CollegeHumor. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  6. ^ Raftery, Brian (26 September 2018). "The Latest Company to Try a Subscription Streamer? CollegeHumor". Wired. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  7. ^ a b Godnick, Max (26 September 2018). "CollegeHumor Bets on the Profane With New Subscription Service". Cheddar. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d Spangler, Todd (26 September 2018). "CollegeHumor Launches Subscription Service for Edgy, Advertiser-Unfriendly Comedy". Variety. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  9. ^ Minor, Jordan (14 November 2018). "CollegeHumor Dropout Is Premium Streaming Internet Comedy". Geek.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Copyright Policy - Dropout". www.dropout.tv. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  11. ^ a b Weiss, Geoff (10 December 2018). "CollegeHumor Launches Native iOS, Android Apps For 'Dropout' Subscription Service". TubeFilter. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  12. ^ Squires, Bethy (2023-09-26). "Dropout's Playbook for Surviving an Unforgiving Internet". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  13. ^ Donahue, Matt. "CollegeHumor's DROPOUT Unveils Slate of Upcoming Originals". But Why Tho Podcast. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  14. ^ a b "‎Recode Media with Peter Kafka: How Dropout found success streaming comedy for $6 a month on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  15. ^ Squires, Bethy (2023-09-26). "Dropout's Playbook for Surviving an Unforgiving Internet". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  16. ^ "Roll for Persuasion - Conversations With Creators | Dropping Out with Sam Reich". Roll for Persuasion - Conversations With Creators. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  17. ^ "‎Recode Media with Peter Kafka: How Dropout found success streaming comedy for $6 a month on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  18. ^ Ha, Anthony (2020-01-08). "IAC sells CollegeHumor to executive Sam Reich, resulting in 100+ layoffs". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  19. ^ "What Does the SAG-AFTRA Strike Mean for Actual Play Shows?". Gizmodo. July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ Reich, Sam [@samreich] (August 8, 2023). "Dropout is back in production. 🫡 Details below. 👇 [Thread]" (Tweet). Retrieved August 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ Carter, Justin (August 8, 2023). "Streaming Platform Dropout Is Resuming Production". Gizmodo. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  23. ^ a b c d e 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.
  24. ^ Wilson, Tilda (August 12, 2023). "Amid streaming chaos, Dropout carves out its own niche". NPR. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  25. ^ a b Polo, Susana (September 26, 2023). "Dropout's dropping CollegeHumor on its 5th anniversary — here's why and what the future holds". Polygon.
  26. ^ a b Cheong, Wayne (22 April 2024). "ESQnA with Sam Reich, CEO of Dropout and Host of Game Changer". Esquire Singapore.
  27. ^ "Very Important People". Webby Awards. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  28. ^ Ha, Anthony (26 September 2018). "CollegeHumor unveils Dropout, a subscription service for comedy videos, comics and more". TechCrunch. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Dropout on Twitter". Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  30. ^ Sands, Mason P. (19 November 2018). "What's Up with Dropout.tv? A Review of CollegeHumor's New Venture | Arts | The Harvard Crimson". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  31. ^ England, Rachel. "Facebook tests paid video subscriptions, starting with CollegeHumor". Engadget. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  32. ^ "DROPOUT Store". DROPOUT Store, Connected Ventures, LLC. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  33. ^ "CollegeHumor Partners With Rooster Teeth's Podcast Network 'The Roost'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  34. ^ Donahue, Matt. "CollegeHumor's DROPOUT Unveils Slate of Upcoming Originals". But Why Tho Podcast. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  35. ^ Luse, Brittany (February 6, 2024). "Sam Reich on revamping the game show - and Dropout's success as a small streamer". NPR.
  36. ^ a b Champagne, Christine (January 18, 2024). "Dropout's Diverse Programming Focuses on the Funny". Television Academy.
  37. ^ a b Brown, Jordon. "Interview with Dropout CEO Sam Reich". YouTube.
  38. ^ "Dimension 20". Dropout. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  39. ^ "Um, Actually". Dropout. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
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  42. ^ "Dirty Laundry on Twitter". Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  43. ^ "Game Changer on Twitter". Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  44. ^ "Make Some Noise". Dropout. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  45. ^ Williams, Tommy (April 9, 2023). "Dropout is an Unsung Winner of Streaming Services". GeekTyrant. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
  46. ^ "Play It By Ear Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  47. ^ "Play It By Ear". Dropout. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  48. ^ "Very Important People Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  49. ^ "Very Important People". Dropout. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  50. ^ "Smartypants Trailer [Dropout Exclusive]". YouTube. Dropout. 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  51. ^ Polo, Susana (May 3, 2024). "Dropout's newest game show asks who wants to be a... thousandaire?". Polygon. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  52. ^ Polo, Susana (2024-05-03). "Dropout's newest game show asks who wants to be a... thousandaire?". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  53. ^ Davis, Clayton (May 8, 2024). "Dropout Jumps Into Emmys With 'Game Changer' and 'Very Important People,' 'Dimension 20' Not Eligible for Submission". Variety.
  54. ^ 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.
  55. ^ Hailu, Selome (2024-05-08). "Hank Green's 'Pissing Out Cancer' Stand-Up Special to Launch 'Dropout Presents' Comedy Series". Variety. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  56. ^ Cartoon Hell (TV Series 2018– ) - IMDb, retrieved 2020-09-09
  57. ^ See Plum Run (TV Series 2018– ) - IMDb, retrieved 2020-09-09
  58. ^ a b Erotic Book Club (Comedy), 2018-12-29, retrieved 2020-09-09
  59. ^ "Erotic Book Club". DROPOUT. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  60. ^ WTF 101 (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, retrieved 2020-09-09
  61. ^ Total Forgiveness (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, retrieved 2020-09-09
  62. ^ The Rank Room (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, retrieved 2020-09-09
  63. ^ Kingpin Katie (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, retrieved 2020-09-09
  64. ^ Bennett, Anita (July 16, 2019). "Mockumentary Cooking Series 'Gods of Food' To Debut On CollegeHumor's Dropout In August". Deadline. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  65. ^ Ultramechatron Team Go! (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, retrieved 2023-09-29
  66. ^ "CollegeHumor's Dropout to Premiere WHERE IN THE EFF IS SARAH CINCINNATI?". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  67. ^ "Where in the Eff is Sarah Cincinnati". DROPOUT. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  68. ^ "Erotic Clubhouse". DROPOUT. Retrieved 2020-09-09.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dropout_(media_company)&oldid=1225337255"