While this isn't much of a surprise to many comedy fans out there. Today Seeso announced that it would shut its doors by the end of the year.
Word that things weren't going well for the comedy streamer started this Spring when Evan Shapiro, the head of the network was abruptly let go from the company. This left many to speculate what the future of the NBC property would be. The official word from those with the company was "business as usual," some news outlets suggested the network was just spending too much and not acquiring new users fast enough and in trouble. Many also speculated the network would probably be absorbed into the NBC platform in some way since a large section of Seeso programming consisted of heritage NBC comedy programming.
Earlier today, reports came in that a handful of Seeso's original programming found a new home with the streaming service VRV picking up HarmonQuest, My Brother, My Brother and Me, Hidden America with Jonah Ray, and The Cyanide and Happiness Show. It's highly-anticipated series, There's... Johnny will not premiere on Seeso as originally stated at the time of Shapiro's departure and is now also being shopped around to other outlets. There's no official word on other original programming like What's Your Fuckin' Deal!?, Take My Wife, Shrink, and Bajillion Dollar Properties, but NBC is reportedly shopping those around to platforms as well.
Just today, Seeso made its first a public announcement about its status on its Facebook page, confirming the speculation.
Dear Seeso-ers,
We’re writing to let you know that later this year, Seeso will be shutting its comedy doors.
Though we will be departing, much of our comedy will live on - and some of your favorite Seeso Originals have already found a new home.
You can now find HarmonQuest, My Brother, My Brother and Me, Hidden America with Jonah Ray and The Cyanide and Happiness Show on VRV: https://www.vrv.co/watchnow
We’ll let you know as soon as we have further information, including where to find the exciting project There’s... Johnny! and other Seeso Originals in the future (in the meantime, please note that There’s... Johnny! will no longer premiere this month as previously announced. We love this show and can't wait for everyone to see it).
If you have questions, please visit https://www.seeso.com/faq
Stay tuned for more information!
This is unfortunate news for comedy. Seeso took risks on interesting programming and gave a platform and a chance for new and emerging comedians in a way that other networks had yet to do on the same scale. While in the end, there might just not have been enough runway for this startup endeavor, it should be praised for attempting to build a platform as diverse and compelling as it did in such a short time.