How Dropout came back from the brink stronger-and funnier-than ever

Last September, CollegeHumor rebranded as Dropout. The 25-year old comedy platform made the move after a surge in subscriptions to the company's streaming platform, Dropout TV. After decades of struggling to find profitability, this became the centerpiece of its business model.
“Truthfully, as a high school dropout, I never really connected with the brand name CollegeHumor,” said Dropout CEO Sam Reich. "We promised ourselves we would only do away with the name when we felt that Dropout was popular enough to eclipse it, and we feel that time is now.”
Since purchasing the company for a whopping $0 in 2020, Reich has prioritized producing long-form improv content, keeping costs low and driving brand awareness through vertical videos on social media networks like TikTok. Dropout currently has 11 active series including its two most popular properties Game Changer and Dimension 20, a series where comedians actually play a live game of Dungeons & Dragons. By the end of this year, they are set to have 15 series including a live comedy special series called Dropout Presents that will launch this summer with a stand-up special from RUclipsr Hank Green (variety.com/2024/tv/news/hank...) . The company has also ventured into live event programming for Dimension 20 in partnership with Live Nation, starting with a four-show tour of the U.K. this spring and, most impressively, leading up to a show at Madison Square Garden ( pC5gjIVhvu...) in January of 2025.

[@MasonOsborn]

6:04 is when dropout talk starts

[@scw55]

Drop Out got me with Play it By Ear's free youtube episode. And they kept me with the same talent being on other shows, which introduced me to more talent, who were on other shows etc..
Not every show works for me. But the shows that do work, I adore so much that I feel very much that I'm getting a quality product and service.

[@TwoToneSoldier]

Not only that but I feel like even when a show doesn’t hit I’m happy my support is going to it because it’s a cool creative idea it just isn’t my thing.

[@nickjones32145]

Thanks for the deep dive into Dropout's business. Really interesting :)

[@funkyflurry88]

Why did you only video that short bit? I almost didn't watch because there was no video

[@MagmaRiver]

I'm thankful for it personally. Too many podcasts imo are released both as video and audio and end up as a frustrating audio experience where the hosts are hosts are clearly doing visual bits or referencing things they're showing on screen, or interjecting every now and then with "you're really going to want to watch this one". Having a short compilation that's filmed to draw people into the full podcast is a great idea I think.

[@Target135]

Yeah, I understand the feeling, but I’m just glad it’s on RUclips. I typically don’t use any other podcast apps, even though I listen to a couple of podcasts that thankfully post here. :)