Crackle is making some big announcements at the virtual 2021 NewFronts event. The free, ad-supported streaming service Crackle Plus will relaunch later this year with a new redesigned user interface for TVs and smartphones making it even easier for viewers to find content suited for them. Smartphone users will also be asked to sign in for better ad targeting. VIZIO will be the exclusive launch partner for Crackle’s new app and user experience. The partnership will include a Crackle-branded remote button, mention on VIZIO’s retail packaging, and utilizing VIZIO’s audience for content testing.
More announcements include a diverse new slate of original and exclusive programming, and the launch of a new Chicken Soup for the Soul AVOD network in the form of both a linear FAST channel and an On-Demand offering. The producer of famous self help books ‘Chicken Soup For The Soul’ will launch its new free premium content streaming network with inspirational and informative content to help viewers live their best life. The content will include a large selection of scripted movies and TV shows, unscripted shows and documentaries featuring everyday heroes, and lifestyle programming featuring the best home, food, DIY, style and travel experts, as well as programming to improve health, wealth, spirit, knowledge and relationships. The Chicken Soup for the Soul AVOD network in the Crackle Plus portfolio will launch this fall.
“Crackle has been pioneering original programming on AVOD for nearly a decade,” said Jeff Meier, head of programming for Crackle Plus. “We’ve always believed in the combined power of originals and a strong, diverse library of content that keep viewers coming back for more.”
Crackle Plus also shared its plans to develop and produce new and returning original series and feature films with diverse storylines and audiences in mind. These include:
Unscripted and documentaries
Following award-winning original series, Going From Broke, critically-acclaimed film After the Murder of Albert Lima and electrifying docuseries Playing with Power: The Nintendo Story, Crackle returns with a diverse slate of unscripted shows and documentaries for 2021:
Going From Broke
Season two of Going From Broke is executive produced by Ashton Kutcher and Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. Premiering Thursday, May 20, co-hosts Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg, and Tonya Rapley, entrepreneur, help people facing extreme debt overcome crippling financial struggles to become CEOs of their own lives.
Riding Phat
Riding Phat follows the hectic entrepreneurial journey of the Phat Scooter company as they strive to become the nation’s top electric scooter company by designing, building, and delivering eye-catching scooters to fun-seeking pro athletes and celebrity clients including NASCAR great Michael Waltrip, NFL legend Tedy Bruschi, and NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins.
The Uncommon History of Very Common Things
Did you know that scissors were invented by Leonardo da Vinci? That high heels date back to Ancient Egypt? And what do chocolate bars have to do with the invention of the microwave oven? Each half-hour episode of The Uncommon History of Very Common Things examines the unknown, sometimes shocking, often irreverent, and always entertaining history of the everyday items that make up our lives.
Inside the Black Box
Created and hosted by beloved acting coach Tracey Moore and Emmy-winning actor Joe Morton, Inside the Black Box spotlights the world’s greatest Black artists within the entertainment industry. From actors, producers and directors to writers and musicians, the series features A-list guests like Sherri Shepherd, Kerry Washington and Tamara Tunie. Each episode is filled with revealing conversations on trials and triumphs, performance workshops, and honest discussions about being Black in Hollywood.
Sports Docu-series
On Point, Crackle’s most-watched series of 2020, and Bucket List hosted by Brian “The Boz” Bosworth, evidenced the strong demand for sports docu-series. 2021 premieres include:
Vince Carter: Legacy
Vince Carter: Legacy explores the fantastic highs and unsettling lows of 8-time All-Star and slam dunk champion, Vince Carter, as he looks back on his record-breaking 22-season professional basketball career.
Promiseland
The visceral, intimate and all-access coming of age story of 2020 NBA rookie sensation Ja Morant follows him from the eve of his NBA debut, through his Rookie of the Year crowning and shares the amazing experiences of his debut season.
The Green Wave
The Green Wave tells the incredible true comeback story of the Summerville High School basketball team after their coach, Louis Mulkey, a dedicated firefighter, dies in a catastrophic fire.
The Machine
After a century of excellence, Long Beach Poly, the most storied sports high school in American history, finds itself backed into a wall. The underfunded public school is struggling to maintain dominance in a field that contains million-dollar private school programs with players recruited from all across the states. The series follows players and coaches as they set out to prove that Long Beach Poly is still a force to be reckoned with.
Feature films
Crackle Plus also announced exclusive AVOD streaming rights to premium feature films, including:
Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren and Stimpy Story starring Jim Ballantine and Ed Bell
Skyfire starring Jason Isaacs, Bee Rogers, and Alice Rietveld
The Jesus Rolls starring John Turturro and Bobby Cannavale
Bel Canto starring Julianne Moore and Ken Watanabe
Colonia starring Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl
Senior Moment starring William Shatner and Jean Smart
Trigger Point starring Barry Pepper and Laura Vandervoort
Eat Wheaties starring Tony Hale, Alan Tudyk and Elisha Cuthbert
Cagefighter starring Gina Gershon and Brenna Coates