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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. 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. Each channel was sold separately. TAPP TV's investors included
Discovery Communications Discovery, Inc. was an American multinational mass media factual television conglomerate based in New York City. Established in 1982, the company operated a group of factual and lifestyle television brands, such as the namesake Discovery Cha ...
and Demarest Films, and individual investors including
Eric Schmidt Eric Emerson Schmidt (born April 27, 1955) is an American businessman and former computer engineer who was the chief executive officer of Google from 2001 to 2011 and the company's chairman, executive chairman from 2011 to 2015. He also was the ...
, Executive Chairman of Google, and investment bankers Ken Moelis, Peter Ezersky and Michael Huber. In addition to Gaspin and Klein, the TAPP TV board included Sean Atkins, senior vice president and general manager, Digital, at
Discovery Communications Discovery, Inc. was an American multinational mass media factual television conglomerate based in New York City. Established in 1982, the company operated a group of factual and lifestyle television brands, such as the namesake Discovery Cha ...
. The last post on TAPP's account on the social media platform X is dated 2017. As of July 2024, its official website is no longer operating.


TAPP channels

In 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. 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. The Palin channel was shuttered in 2015.


Online subscription video industry

TAPP's founders had cited
Glenn Beck Glenn Lee Beck (born February 10, 1964) is an American conservative political commentator, radio host, entrepreneur, and television producer. He is the CEO, founder, and owner of Mercury Radio Arts, the parent company of his television and rad ...
'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. 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. In February 2014,
WWE World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...
launched its own subscription video channel, and has announced more than 600,000 monthly subscribers since launch.


See also

* The Sarah Palin Channel


References


External links

* {{VOD services Video on demand services Mass media companies established in 2013 Mass media companies disestablished in 2017