Sam Reich on revamping the game show - and Dropout's success as a small streamer
Feb 6, 2024
auto_awesome
Sam Reich, CEO of Dropout, discusses how his company is finding success in a competitive streaming market by revamping the gameshow format. They also play a game of 'would you rather' discussing scenarios like going on 'Shark Tank' or navigating a floor covered in lava.
Dropout has found success in the saturated streaming market by focusing on unscripted comedy and game shows, rather than high-quality scripted programming.
By reconfiguring the game show format to prioritize fun and enjoyment over high financial stakes, Dropout has attracted a millennial and Gen Z audience.
Deep dives
Dropout: A Different Kind of Streamer
Dropout, a small streaming platform, has found success by focusing on unscripted comedy and game shows, carving out a niche in the saturated streaming market. While big streamers aim for high-quality scripted programming, Dropout emphasizes unscripted content like Dungeons and Dragons shows and traditional game shows with a comedic twist. They prioritize creating content that makes people feel good, rather than relying on high-stakes or large cash prizes. Dropout also takes a unique approach to business, prioritizing talent and profit-sharing with creators. They reject restrictive contracts and offer price lock guarantees for subscribers to foster loyalty. Their unconventional approach challenges industry norms and has led to their unique success in the streaming landscape.
Revamping the Game Show Format
Dropout has reconfigured the game show format to appeal to younger generations. They discovered that their audience gravitated towards unscripted comedy, so they doubled down on that category. Rather than focusing on high financial stakes, they prioritize creating a fun and enjoyable experience for participants and viewers. The show Game Changer exemplifies this approach, as the players have to figure out the game as they play, and winning is not the primary objective. Dropout aims to create content that is tight, surprising, and fosters a sense of community and celebration. By reinventing the game show genre in a more lighthearted and comedic way, Dropout has found success with a predominantly millennial and Gen Z audience.
The Non-Traditional Approach to Streaming
Dropout takes a non-traditional approach to streaming by putting talent and creativity first. They have a small, focused full-time team and prioritize investing in content rather than hiring a large workforce. Their development process is unique, with most shows conceived in-house to ensure quality and alignment with Dropout's criteria for popular content. Dropout also stands out with its emphasis on social media marketing rather than traditional paid advertising. They believe that traditional media needs to embrace new media to thrive. With a commitment to innovative business practices and a fresh perspective on content creation, Dropout is carving its own path to success in the streaming industry.
It seems like there are countless streamers these days – there's Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Max, Peacock, Roku, just to name a few. Still, success and profit remain elusive to even some of the biggest in the biz. However there is one smaller streamer that seems to have found a path to prosperity: Dropout. IBAM host Brittany Luse sat down with Dropout CEO Sam Reich to find out how his company is forging a path to success in a successful market, all while revamping the gameshow format. The pair also play a little game.
