TAPP TV ("TAPP" stands for TV APP) was a subscription-based online video content network, home to individual "channels" built around public personalities with large followings.[1][2] It was founded in 2013 by Jeff Gaspin, former chairman of NBC Universal Television, and Jonathan Klein, former president of CNN US. Michael Greer, former CTO of the Onion, was a co-founder and CTO.
TAPP TV subscribers paid $9.95 per month or $99.95 per year to receive daily video content from subscribed video channels.[3] Each channel was sold separately.
TAPP TV's investors included Discovery Communications and Demarest Films, and individual investors including Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google, and investment bankers Ken Moelis, Peter Ezersky and Michael Huber.[4] In addition to Gaspin and Klein, the TAPP TV board included Sean Atkins, senior vice president and general manager, Digital, at Discovery Communications.
The last post on TAPP's account on the social media platform X is dated 2017.[5] As of July 2024, its official website is no longer operating.[6]
TAPP channels
editIn March 2014, Gaspin and Klein announced plans to launch a roster of channels on the TAPP platform in 2014.
TAPP launched its first channel on March 20: New Life TV, featuring Steve Arterburn, an American syndicated radio host with 2 million weekly listeners to his New Life Live program.[7] Arterburn is a Christian counselor, author and motivational speaker, focused on relationships, family and addiction. He is the founder of New Life Ministries and Women of Faith.
In March 2014, reports circulated that Sarah Palin would be launching a TAPP channel.[8][9][10] The Palin channel was shuttered in 2015.[11]
Online subscription video industry
editTAPP's founders had cited Glenn Beck's Blaze TV, which launched in 2012, as one inspiration for their business model. Reports put The Blaze's subscriber base at 300,000 people paying $9.95 per month.[12] In December 2013, Chernin Entertainment announced it had taken a majority stake in Crunchyroll, which aggregates online anime videos offered on both a subscription and pay-per-view basis.[13] In February 2014, WWE launched its own subscription video channel, and has announced more than 600,000 monthly subscribers since launch.[14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Jarvey, Natalie (11 March 2014). "Jeff Gaspin, Jon Klein to Launch Online Video Platform TAPP". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Wallenstein, Andrew (11 March 2014). "CNN, NBCU Alums Jon Klein, Jeff Gaspin Team Up for Online Video Venture".
- ^ "Gaspin & Klein launch 'TAPP' – a new subscriber based online video company". Salinger Media.
- ^ Palmeri, Christopher. "Discovery Backing Web-Video Service Along With Schmidt". Archived from the original on March 25, 2014.
- ^ "TAPP Media". X. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ This site can't be reached, retrieved 1 July 2024
- ^ Ross, L.A. (30 August 2023). "Jeff Gaspin, Jon Klein's New Digital Platform Launching First Channel With Christian Radio Host Steve Arterburn".
- ^ Weprin, Alex. "Sarah Palin plans 'Rogue TV'".
- ^ Wilstein, Matt (14 March 2014). "Sarah Palin's 'Rogue TV' Reportedly Coming to a Computer Near You". Mediaite. Archived from the original on 2014-05-21. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Abbruzzese, Jason (14 March 2014). "A Sarah Palin Channel? You Betcha!". Mashable.
- ^ Spangler, Jeff (7 July 2015). "Sarah Palin Pulls Plug on Internet Subscription-Video Channel". Variety. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ Stelter, Brian (12 September 2012). "Beck Takes His Conservative Internet Shows to the Dish Network". The New York Times.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (2 December 2013). "Chernin Group Takes Majority Stake in Anime Website Crunchyroll".
- ^ Luckerson, Victor (7 April 2014). "WWE Online Network Is Already Body-Slamming Tons of Subscribers".