Discovery founder’s factual SVoD service goes live

John Hendricks

CuriosityStream, the new subscription video-on-demand service from Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks has gone live in the US. 

The independent venture offers premium factual programmes on an ad-free, subscription basis, taking Hendricks’ “vision of accessible and curated factual programmes to the social media generation.”

The SVoD service went live yesterday and will feature original commissions and series, as well as specials and documentary content from nonfiction producers including the BBC, NHK, ZED, Terra Noa, and Flame Distribution.

“My dream of a content-on-demand service that uses advanced media to empower the enduring human desire to understand the universe and the world around us is now a reality,” said Hendricks, commenting on the launch.

“CuriosityStream is the world’s first ad-free, SVoD service that addresses our lifelong quest to learn, explore, and understand. Our aim is to provide the first and best on-demand video streaming destination that aggregates and curates the world’s best factual content.”

CuriosityStream subscribers will be able to access programming about science, technology, civilisation and the human spirit for US$2.99 (€2.82) per-month for standard definition resolution content, or US$5.99 per-month for high definition. The service said it will also introduce a 4K resolution option later this year.

Viewers can access CuriosityStream on internet-connected TVs, smartphones, tablets, set top boxes and other devices. The service was first announced earlier this year.