The world of streaming is bidding farewell to three of its pioneering free, ad-supported platforms: Crackle, Chicken Soup For The Soul, and Popcornflix. These services have officially ceased streaming, marking the end of an era for early innovators in the streaming industry.
The closure follows the downfall of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, the parent company behind Crackle, Popcornflix, and Redbox. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July, initially hoping to reorganize and relaunch. However, those plans were scrapped in favor of Chapter 7 liquidation, leading to mass layoffs and the termination of all operations.
Recently, Roku removed these services from its devices after they stopped functioning a few weeks ago.
Crackle, launched in 2004 and acquired by Sony in 2006, was one of the first major streaming platforms to offer completely free, ad-supported content. It paved the way for other services like Tubi and Pluto TV, which have grown increasingly popular in recent years.
Popcornflix, which debuted in 2010, also offered a free library of movies and TV shows. In 2019 and 2017, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment acquired both Crackle and Popcornflix.
The shutdown of these platforms represents a significant loss for viewers who rely on free streaming options. Although other free services remain available, Crackle and Popcornflix held a special place in the cord-cutting community as pioneers of the free streaming model.
The closure of Crackle and Popcornflix underscores the constantly evolving nature of the streaming industry. While free ad-supported services have gained traction, they still face challenges in a market dominated by subscription-based giants.
As the streaming landscape continues to change, it remains to be seen how the demise of these early pioneers will impact the future availability of free content for viewers.
