Joost, founded by Skype creators Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, launched in 2007 as a pioneering P2P-based platform aiming to deliver high-quality, ad-supported TV over the internet. Despite big-name content deals and innovative features like social interactivity and second-screen experiences,…
From the Archives revisits Netflix’s 2011 attempt to split its DVD and streaming businesses into two separate services, rebranded as Qwikster, was a PR and operational failure that cost the company 800,000 subscribers and halved its stock value. Intended to…
From the Archives explores the rise and fall of M-GO, a 2013 joint venture between Technicolor and DreamWorks that aimed to simplify digital rentals and purchases with a user-first, cross-platform approach. M-GO distinguished itself by supporting UltraViolet, embedding directly into…
From the Archives revisits Walmart’s abandoned 2018 plan to launch a budget SVOD service aimed at Middle America. With former Epix CEO Mark Greenberg leading the charge, the retailer considered pivoting Vudu into a subscription platform priced at $8/month. But…
From the Archives chronicles how Vudu pioneered digital HD movie rentals before the streaming boom, only to be overtaken by more scalable, subscription-based rivals. Despite early tech leadership and major studio deals, Vudu's reliance on expensive hardware and transactional pricing…
From the Archives revisits the rise of Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), the tech that turned smart TVs into real-time viewership trackers and reshaped the economics of modern TV advertising. Embedded directly into TV firmware, ACR enabled OEMs and ad tech…
From the Archives revisits how Vine’s six-second video format revolutionized short-form content, laying the groundwork for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Despite early success and massive cultural influence, Vine failed to monetize and lost creator loyalty, leading…
From the Archives chronicles how FloSports evolved from a scrappy startup into a profitable streaming platform by focusing on underserved sports and niche audiences. The company scaled through strategic acquisitions, a vertical-specific model, and major media rights deals—including the landmark…
From the Archives tracks how Awesomeness transformed from a YouTube startup into a multi-platform Gen Z media brand, reaching a $650 million valuation with backing from DreamWorks, Hearst, and Verizon. After the collapse of go90 and shifting corporate priorities, the…
From the Archives examines the rise and quiet fall of Boomerang, Warner Bros.’ standalone streaming service dedicated to classic cartoons. Launched in 2017 and shut down in 2024, the platform was ultimately folded into Max amid a broader shift toward…
