SnagFilms

SnagFilms
Type of site
Video on demand
Available inEnglish
FoundedJuly 2008
DissolvedMay 2020
Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
Country of originUnited States
Key peopleTed Leonsis
Current statusDefunct

SnagFilms was a website that offered advertising-supported documentary and independent films. Films were streamed on the website, which contained a library of over 5,000 films.[1][2][3] Filmmakers could submit documentaries for consideration as well. The site included documentary films produced by National Geographic and titles such as Super Size Me, The Good Son: The Life of Ray Boom Boom Mancini, Kicking It, Cracked Not Broken and Nanking.[4]

History

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SnagFilms was launched in July 2008 by Internet pioneer Ted Leonsis. Venture capitalist Miles Gilburne and Revolution LLC chairman Steve Case are also investors in the start-up.[5] While at AOL Leonsis founded True Stories, an online source for documentaries. That website would become the inspiration for SnagFilms.

SnagFilms owns comedy website Thundershorts, which The New York Times called "a discriminating boutique."[6] SnagFilms previously owned IndieWire, an online publication covering the independent film industry.[7]

SnagFilms’ curated collection is viewed on its own site and a digital network of more than 110,000 affiliated sites and webpages worldwide, including partners such as Comcast's XfinityTV.com, Hulu,[8] IMDb, AOL/Huffington Post, hundreds of non-profits, special interest sites and blogs – and via its applications for tablets, including Apple's iPad (AirPlay-enabled),[9] Amazon's Kindle Fire and other Android-based tablets; Android smartphones; OTT platforms Roku and Boxee; and soon to launch on connected TVs from Sony, Samsung and Vizio. SnagFilms’ titles have been featured on more than 3.5 billion pageviews across its network.[1]

SnagFilms added IMDb and YouTube as exhibitors of its content.[10] In the summer of 2010, SnagFilms announced a partnership with Comcast's video on demands channels and Verizon FiOS TV.[11] In Spring 2011, SnagFilms launched a channel on Roku[12] and became available on Boxee's internet platform.[13] In late 2011, Snag became available on the Kindle Fire as well as many BlackBerry and Android tablets and smartphones. Their films are also available on iTunes, Amazon.com,[14] DIRECTV and digital streaming providers VUDU, Samsung Media Hub, Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.[1]

SnagFilms was named one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the Washington, D.C., area. Gizmodo has named SnagFilms as a “Best iPad App,” OVGuide has twice named SnagFilms a Top Site, and MovieMaker Magazine named SnagFilms to its annual list of “50 Best Websites for Moviemakers.”[1] SnagFilms, Inc. was named as one of Red Herring's 2013 Top-100 Technology Companies in North America.[citation needed] Snagfilms.com was a Webby finalist as 2014's top entertainment site and a 2013 Webby Honoree.[citation needed]

According to their homepage, "With deep regret, we have shut down the SnagFilms service, and by the end of May [2020] will be wrapping up our relationships with the filmmakers, production companies and other content owners we have been honored to serve for more than a decade."[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "SnagFilms Launches Apps for Kindle Fire, Android Tablets and Smartphones, and Blackberry Tablet". SnagFilms.com. 2011-12-08. Archived from the original on 2012-01-09.
  2. ^ Kerr, Ronny (29 October 2010). "SnagFilms raises $10 million for free films". VatorNews. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  3. ^ Savage, Sophia (18 January 2013). "SnagFilms Adds New Funding as Film Library Nears 5,000 Titles – IndieWire". Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  4. ^ "SnagFilms Finds Virtual Theaters for Documentaries | Walt Mossberg | Personal Technology | AllThingsD". Ptech.allthingsd.com. 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  5. ^ "SnagFilms Puts Documentaries On The Web – SnagFilms". InformationWeek. 2008-07-17. Archived from the original on 2008-08-22. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  6. ^ Zinoman, Jason (10 September 2014). "Funny, Kooky and Short on the Net". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  7. ^ Cieply, Michael (July 18, 2010). "SnagFilms to Expand Distribution of Documentaries". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Martin, Peter (2009-03-19). "Indie Roundup: SnagFilms Joins with Hulu, 'Sunshine Cleaning' Cleans Up – The Moviefone Blog". Cinematical.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  9. ^ Mathis, Joel (January 10, 2011). "SnagFilms brings free documentaries to iPad". Macworld.
  10. ^ "SnagFilms Joins Forces With IMDb, YouTube; Enter Founder's Alliance". indieWIRE. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  11. ^ Rea, Steve (July 21, 2010). "SnagFilms snags new deals with Comcast, iPad, FiOS and more". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  12. ^ Lawler, Ryan (May 31, 2011). "SnagFilms Brings Free, Ad-Supported Movies to Roku". GigaOm. Archived from the original on June 3, 2011.
  13. ^ Gil, Billy (April 20, 2011). "SnagFilms Docs Come to Boxee". Home Media Magazine. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012.
  14. ^ "SnagFilms Everywhere". SnagFilms.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  15. ^ "SNAGFILMS".
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