Cinedigm Expanding Docurama as SVOD Service

10 Nov, 2015 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Cinedigm is planning to expand its ad-supported online documentary channel to accommodate subscription streaming, CEO Chris McGurk told analysts.

Speaking Nov. 9 on the company's fiscal call, McGurk reiterated Cinedigm’s online strategy that has launched three over-the-top video services, including SVOD services CONtv and Dove Channel this year.

Now Docurama will join the SVOD ranks as part of a channel lineup with a third-party distribution partner in the first quarter of 2016. The monthly fee will be the same $4.99 charged for Dove Channel. CONtv, which currently boasts about 100,000 subs paying $6.99, will also be reduced to $4.99 monthly.

“We’re pleased to report that we’ve signed an agreement with a major platform with a very significant reach for a subscription service that will include all three of our channels — Dove, Docurama and CONtv,” McGurk said.

Launched in May 2014, Docurama offers 800 hours of programming in genres featuring sports; the environment; war, history and current events; pop culture; arts and music; human interest; and travel and leisure.

The channel features Academy Award nominees and includes work from filmmakers such as Alex Gibney, Fred Wiseman, Stacy Peralta, Liz Garbus and Joe Berlinger.

“We plan to go wide across all platforms with Docurama early next year and we think that probably is going to be sort of the key catalyst in terms of taking these partner conversations that we've been having over the line,” McGurk said.

“[Taking Docurama to SVOD] hasn’t been for lack of interest. It's been more the fact that we’ve needed to convert Docurama onto our platform as a subscription streaming service.”

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