Dropout

Who owns Dropout?
Dropout is owned by Sam Reich, who acquired CollegeHumor Media from IAC in 2020 through a management buyout. Reich serves as CEO. The company is privately held.

What happened to CollegeHumor?
IAC shut down CollegeHumor's operations in early 2020, laying off most of the staff. Sam Reich, CollegeHumor's Chief Creative Officer, negotiated a management buyout and acquired the company from IAC. Under Reich's ownership, CollegeHumor Media has rebuilt its team and refocused on Dropout as its primary business.

What is Dropout?
Dropout is a subscription streaming service specializing in original comedy content, including Game Changer, Dimension 20, Um, Actually, and other original series. It costs approximately $5.99/month or $59.99/year.

Is Dropout publicly traded?
No, Dropout is privately owned by Sam Reich and is not publicly traded.

What is Dimension 20?
Dimension 20 is a Dungeons and Dragons actual play show produced by Dropout, hosted by Brennan Lee Mulligan. It is one of Dropout's most popular original series and has developed a large and dedicated fan base.

CollegeHumor was founded in 1999 by Josh Abramson and Ricky Van Veen as a website for college humor content. The site grew into one of the most popular comedy websites of the early internet era, known for original videos, articles, and viral content.

IAC/InterActiveCorp acquired CollegeHumor in 2006. Under IAC ownership, CollegeHumor expanded its video production and became a significant digital media company.

CollegeHumor launched Dropout in 2018 as a subscription streaming service, creating a paid platform for original content not available for free. Dropout featured original series including Game Changer (a comedy game show hosted by Sam Reich), Dimension 20 (a Dungeons and Dragons actual play show), and Um, Actually (a trivia show about nerdy topics).

In early 2020, IAC announced it was shutting down CollegeHumor's operations, laying off most of the staff. Sam Reich, who had been CollegeHumor's Chief Creative Officer, negotiated a management buyout of the company, acquiring the CollegeHumor and Dropout brands from IAC.

Under Reich's ownership, CollegeHumor Media rebuilt its team and refocused on Dropout as its primary business. The company shifted its strategy to prioritize the subscription streaming service over free ad-supported content.

Dropout grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic as audiences sought streaming entertainment at home. The service's original programming, particularly Dimension 20 and Game Changer, developed loyal followings.

By 2024, Dropout had grown to become one of the most successful independent subscription streaming services, with a dedicated subscriber base and a reputation for high-quality original comedy content. The company has continued to expand its content library with new series and formats.

Dropout has implemented innovative sustainability and ethical practices focused on employee welfare, equitable business models, and responsible digital content creation. The company has gained recognition for its progressive approach to employee profit sharing and workplace culture in the digital entertainment industry.

The company's most notable sustainability initiative is its employee profit-sharing program, where Dropout distributes profits among its approximately 50 employees and workers. This approach represents a significant departure from traditional corporate structures and demonstrates commitment to equitable wealth distribution within the organization.

As a digital streaming platform, Dropout maintains relatively low environmental impact compared to traditional media production companies, with operations focused on digital content creation and distribution rather than physical manufacturing or extensive studio facilities.

Dropout operates with strong ethical standards regarding content creation, performer compensation, and community engagement. The company has established fair compensation practices for performers and creators involved in its improv shows and original series, addressing industry concerns about exploitation in digital entertainment.

The platform's focus on inclusive content creation and diverse representation in comedy programming reflects its commitment to social responsibility and progressive values in entertainment.

Dropout has received recognition for its innovative comedy content, streaming excellence, and original programming in the digital entertainment industry.

• Streamy Awards: Multiple nominations and wins for Best Comedy Series and Best Original Programming for Game Changer and Dimension 20
• Webby Awards: Recognition for excellence in digital comedy content and streaming innovation
• Critics' Choice Streaming Awards: Nominations for Best Comedy Streaming Service and Original Programming
• Digital Entertainment Awards: Recognition for creative innovation in subscription streaming and comedy content
• Podcast Awards: Recognition for Dimension 20 as one of the best actual play and gaming podcasts
• Comedy Industry Recognition: Awards from comedy organizations for innovative digital comedy formats
• Fan Choice Awards: Multiple fan-voted awards for favorite comedy streaming service and original series
• Technology Innovation Awards: Recognition for subscription platform development and streaming technology

The platform has been consistently recognized for its role in revolutionizing digital comedy entertainment and creating innovative subscription-based comedy content.

Dropout and CollegeHumor have not been subject to significant public controversy under Sam Reich's ownership. The 2020 IAC shutdown of CollegeHumor was controversial within the digital media industry, as it resulted in significant layoffs. However, Reich's successful management buyout and rebuilding of the company has been widely praised as a positive outcome.

CollegeHumor's earlier content under IAC ownership was occasionally criticized for offensive humor, though the company has moved away from that type of content under Reich's leadership.