Streaming platform FreeCast is adding Curiosity Stream’s free, ad-supported streaming channel Curiosity Now, unlocking hundreds of hours of knowledge-based documentaries and television series that are completely free to access.
The launch of Curiosity Now brings the total number of free, ad-supported channels available through FreeCast to over 700. It comes after FreeCast added the pay television network Curiosity Channel to its “value” package, which costs $7 a month and includes other entertainment channels like AXS TX, Sony Movies, Game Show Network and WeatherNation.
“Our products are all about giving consumers choice and control of their media experience and their spending,” Tracy West, the executive vice president of digital content at FreeCast, said in a statement on Monday. “That’s an opportunity for partners like Curiosity who can provide both a premium experience with their latest and greatest content, as well as a free FAST channel catering to the same interests. That means more ways that we can direct new viewers and new revenues to our partners.”
Jay Sodha, the vice president of business development at Curiosity Stream, said the addition of Curiosity now “gives FreeCast customers yet another way to interact with Curiosity’s family-friendly content.”
“Curiosity Now offers new audiences a sample of the world-class factual content we feature on our premium services, Curiosity Stream and Curiosity Channel.,” Sodha said.
The channels are intended to serve as window-shop streams for Curiosity Stream, the premium subscription video on-demand service that includes thousands of hours of science and knowledge-driven television shows and movies. Curiosity Stream starts at $5 a month; a bundle that includes Tastemade, Topic, Nebula and other streaming services costs $10 a month.
Meanwhile, FreeCast has been laser-focused on building out its streaming platform to offer former cable and satellite subscribers access to a wealth of Internet-driven content. Last week, the company said it was partnering with antenna maker Mohu that would see a cross-promotion of each other’s products; for FreeCast, the partnership means pointing its streaming platform users toward Mohu’s antennas, which allows cord-cutters to watch network programming from their local ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and CW Network affiliates and PBS member stations, where available.