FilmRise

FilmRise
Company typePrivate
IndustryFilm and television distribution
Founded2012; 12 years ago (2012)
Founders
HeadquartersNew York City, New York, United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Johnny Holden, (CFO & CSO)
Websitefilmrise.com Edit this at Wikidata

FilmRise, is a New York–based film/television studio and streaming network.[1][2][3] As of November 2024, the FilmRise App has reported more than 31.5 million downloads in the U.S. and can be seen on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Comcast, iOS, Android, Apple, Vizio, among many other platforms.[4] FilmRise also syndicates its own digital linear channels (aka "Free ad-supported streaming television or FAST") to platforms including The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee and Vizio.[5][6][7][8][9]

The company was founded in 2012 by producer/financiers Danny Fisher, Jack Fisher, and Alan Klingenstein.[10][11]

FilmRise is one of the largest syndicators of FAST channels globally and the leading syndicator of single-series FAST channels, with popular titles like Heartland, Forensic Files, and Unsolved Mysteries.

FilmRise focuses on acquiring content that is either under the radar or significantly underestimated by the industry.[12][13] The company has experienced rapid growth in revenue and profitability over the past several years, leveraging its extensive database of historical content performance as a basis for assessing demand. Combined with the expertise of its strong team, this approach enables FilmRise to make informed content acquisition and distribution decisions.

FilmRise currently streams over 500 Fast Channel Endpoints on third-party platforms including The Roku Channel, Paramount's Pluto TV, Fox Corp's Tubi, Vizio, Samsung TV Plus, and Amazon Freevee among many others.

The Company co-produces numerous programs including the hit true crime series Bloodline Detectives Hosted By Nancy Grace, Killers Caught On Camera and World’s Most Evil Prisoners. FilmRise has also produced the PBS docuseries Icon: Music Through The Lens as well as series for their content partner program which curates YouTube superstars including Hot Ones, Preston & Brianna, Uncle Roger, Unspeakable and many more.

History

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In 2012, Danny and Jack Fisher began studying the current state of television and film and developed a new concept for the emerging digital industry. Their vision took shape as a connection between data, content, audiences, and the internet.[14] Data signals were used to measure demand for content and they envisioned digital channels where viewers would get their content for free. This became the foundation of FilmRise's business model for streaming including SVOD/AVOD. Alan Klingenstein joined onto the project as a partner, and the three became the Founders of FilmRise.

Johnny Holden joined FilmRise in August 2020 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In May 2024, he was elevated to Chief Strategy Officer while retaining his role as CFO. [15]

They began to use their approach to acquire dormant and/or under-recognized film and television content and distribute the titles on DVD and digital platforms, such as Amazon's Disc on Demand and YouTube. This proved highly successful and the company quickly became profitable. Danny, Jack and Alan remain the largest stakeholders in FilmRise. Alan currently serves as chairman of the board, Danny is CEO, and Jack is president.[11][16]

In 2013, Medstar Productions put the digital rights of the long-running, syndicated hit and a staple of the HLN network, Forensic Files, up for license. FilmRise licensed the exclusive U.S. digital distribution rights and has released the property successfully on numerous platforms, including Netflix, Disney's Hulu and Amazon Prime,[17] making the show one of the most popular library shows in the streaming space.[18]

Using its innovative approach to predict viewer demand, the company continued to acquire the digital rights to television and film content, including Unsolved Mysteries, Hell's Kitchen, 3rd Rock from the Sun and Midsomer Murders. [19] Filmrise created a distribution operation that enabled the company to monetize content and build out a sales/operations team to foster relationships with new and emerging digital platforms, including The Roku Channel, Fox Corporation's Tubi, Amazon Freevee, NBCUniversal's Peacock, Paramount's Pluto TV, among many others.[20][21][22][23]

In 2017, FilmRise became one of the first content providers on The Roku Channel and has since become a leading content provider on numerous ad-supported streaming services including Peacock, Amazon Freevee, Samsung TV Plus, Vizio, Sling, Pluto TV, Tubi, and many others.[24][25]

By the end of 2017, the company raised over $100MM for content acquisitions. These funds were used to pay license fees for film and television libraries.[26][27] FilmRise continued to work with emerging digital platforms, as well as growing relationships with major Hollywood studios and television networks that were eager for new licensing opportunities. FilmRise's ability to optimize monetization from TV and film content enabled it to work with many streaming platforms on it's programming. [28][29][30][31][32]

In 2020, the company introduced it's first original co-production, Bloodline Detectives with Nancy Grace, currently is in its fourth season with a fifth season in production. The series airs on broadcast television via syndication, and is streamed on numerous digital platforms.[33] FilmRise currently has numerous programs in development and/or production including World's Most Evil Prisoners.

In January 2021, FilmRise acquired the streaming rights to content from YouTubers Preston & Brianna, Nathan Graham (also known as "Unspeakable"), and numerous other top creators.[34]

In 2021, FilmRise entered in an exclusive deal with Fuji TV's distribution arm, Fuji Creative Corporation to acquire streaming and digital distribution rights to the Japanese cooking show Iron Chef.[35]

FilmRise has also become a pioneer in the international ad-supported streaming space. Among the overseas platforms that the company currently provides content to are: Rakuten, Joyn and many others.[11]

In August 2022, FilmRise acquired streaming rights to the syndicated reality TV show Cheaters from Goldstein Pictures Corporation.[36]

In April 2023, FilmRise acquired the streaming and digital distribution rights to the reality television series World's Wildest Police Videos and its specials, including the World's Scariest Police Chases series from Pursuit Productions.[37][38]

In October 2023, FilmRise acquired the worldwide digital distribution rights to the BuzzFeed Studios and Complex Networks television libraries, which includes their YouTube shows Hot Ones and BuzzFeed Unsolved and also TV shows and specials that feature the Australian children's music group The Wiggles.[39][40]

Film

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Television

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Original programming

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  • Bloodline Detectives (2020-2022)
  • Music: Through the Lens (2020-2021)
  • Meet, Marry, Murder (2021)
  • Making a Serial Killer (2021-2022)
  • Follow Me (2023)
  • The Interrogation Room (2023)
  • Not Like Mama (2023-present)

Acquired programming

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Children's programming

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References

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  1. ^ "FilmRise, Sony, Roku, Pluto TV and Xumo Join Streaming Conversation at TheGrill 2020". Yahoo! Entertainment. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  2. ^ "FilmRise Streaming Network Grows to 31.5M App Downloads". Media Play News. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  3. ^ "As Netflix Pivots From Classic TV, Smaller Services Are Picking Up the Torch". Decider. 2020-07-30. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  4. ^ "FilmRise Streaming Network Base Grew 30 Percent In 2020". VideoAge International. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  5. ^ "Samsung TV Plus Free Streaming Service Channel Lineup". Windows Dispatch. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  6. ^ Gurwin, Jason (20 November 2020). "Roku Adds 30+ New Linear Channels to The Roku Channel". The Streamable. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  7. ^ "Roku Channel lands in UK: 'People want free content to supplement subscriptions'". The Drum.
  8. ^ "IMDb TV adds dedicated 'Walking Dead' service in six channel AMC deal". TBI Vision. 2020-09-14. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  9. ^ Spangler, Todd (2020-04-07). "Vizio Adds 30 Free Streaming Channels to Smart TVs". Variety. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  10. ^ Fisher, Danny (2014-01-20). "How I emerged from bankruptcy to grow a thriving company". CNNMoney. Archived from the original on 2014-01-23. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  11. ^ a b c "About". Filmrise. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  12. ^ "As Netflix Pivots From Classic TV, Smaller Services Are Picking Up the Torch". Decider. 2020-07-30. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  13. ^ Brzoznowski, Kristin (2021-01-19). "WorldScreenings: FilmRise's Danny Fisher". WORLD SCREEN. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  14. ^ "Indie Company Rises With New Vision – Media Play News". 16 April 2018. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  15. ^ "FilmRise CFO Johnny Holden adds chief strategy officer post to remit". C21media. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  16. ^ Winfrey, Graham (2016-10-20). "How FilmRise Will Spend $27 Million in 6 Months (And Why The Distributor Has Offers For More)". IndieWire. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  17. ^ "Forensic Files | Where to Stream and Watch". Decider. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  18. ^ Marechal, A. J. (2014-02-10). "FilmRise Nabs Stateside Digital Rights For 'Forensic Files'". Variety. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  19. ^ Brzoznowski, Kristin (2021-01-19). "WorldScreenings: FilmRise's Danny Fisher". WORLD SCREEN. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  20. ^ "FILMRISE'S CURATED CHANNELS ARRIVE AT PEACOCK - Señal News". senalnews.com. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  21. ^ "FilmRise is Making More Classic TV Available for Free". Cord Cutters News. 2020-04-10. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  22. ^ McNary, Dave (2015-10-28). "FilmRise Raises $25 Million for Acquisitions, Licensing". Variety. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  23. ^ "FilmRise Secures $50 Million in New Financing". The Hollywood Reporter. 2017-09-06. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  24. ^ "FilmRise is Making More Classic TV Available for Free". Cord Cutters News. 2020-04-10. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  25. ^ Roku. "Roku". Roku. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  26. ^ "Brooklyn-based FilmRise raises $27M from Harlan Capital". New York Business Journal.
  27. ^ "FilmRise Secures $50 Million in New Financing". The Hollywood Reporter. 2017-09-06. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  28. ^ "FilmRise Enters Partnership With All3media International". VideoAge International. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  29. ^ "FilmRise Secures $50 Million in New Financing". The Hollywood Reporter. 2017-09-06. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  30. ^ "FilmRise Inks Streaming Deals with ITV, MGM and Warner Bros. – Media Play News". 9 January 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  31. ^ McNary, Dave (2015-10-28). "FilmRise Raises $25 Million for Acquisitions, Licensing". Variety. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  32. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: 'Roseanne,' '3rd Rock from the Sun,' 'A Different World,' and More '90s Classics Are Coming to Amazon". Decider. 2017-08-03. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  33. ^ "FilmRise Sets Nancy Grace True Crime Series 'Bloodline Detectives' As First Original". www.yahoo.com. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  34. ^ "FilmRise to elevate YouTubers beyond digital". Kidscreen. January 19, 2021.
  35. ^ Ravindran, Manori (October 10, 2021). "'Iron Chef': Japanese Original Series Heads to FilmRise Through Exclusive Fuji Deal". Variety. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  36. ^ "FilmRise Acquires Digital Rights to Reality Series 'Cheaters'". Media Play News. August 1, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  37. ^ "FilmRise Acquires More True Crime, Including "World's Wildest Police Videos"". Media Play News. 17 April 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  38. ^ "FilmRise acquires global digital rights to World's Wildest Police Videos". Rapid TV News. April 18, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  39. ^ "BuzzFeed Sells Huge Library of Shows Including "Hot Ones" To FilmRise". Variety. September 29, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  40. ^ "FilmRise picks up The Wiggles package". Kidscreen. October 18, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
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