Curiosity Stream Bets on AI Deals for 2027 Revenue Surge
▼ Summary
– Curiosity Stream is pursuing a new revenue strategy by licensing its original programming to train AI models, diverging from traditional streaming monetization methods.
– The service was founded in 2015 by Discovery Channel’s John Hendricks and offers commercial-free content for $40 per year, focusing on science, history, and education.
– Despite having only 23 million subscribers as of March 2023, the company achieved its first positive net income in fiscal Q1 2025 and reported a 41% year-over-year revenue increase in Q3 2025.
– Licensing deals generated $23.4 million through September 2025, already surpassing half of the subscription revenue for all of 2024, with 18 AI-related fulfillments completed across various media formats.
– Curiosity Stream anticipates that IP licensing to AI companies will surpass subscription revenue by 2027 or earlier, signaling a strategic shift in its business model.
The streaming landscape is fiercely competitive, but Curiosity Stream is charting a unique path toward profitability by licensing its content to artificial intelligence developers. While most platforms rely on subscriber growth and advertising, this science-focused service has discovered a lucrative new revenue stream that could redefine how niche streaming companies operate.
Founded in 2015 by Discovery Channel creator John Hendricks, Curiosity Stream offers commercial-free documentaries for an annual fee of $40. Over the years, the company has expanded its reach to include a linear television channel, original productions, and educational initiatives under the Curiosity University banner. After nearly ten years in business, the company celebrated its first profitable quarter in early 2025.
Specializing in science, history, and educational content naturally limits Curiosity Stream’s audience compared to entertainment giants. As of March 2023, the platform reported 23 million subscribers, a modest figure when measured against Netflix’s global base of over 300 million. Despite its smaller scale, Curiosity Stream recently announced a remarkable 41% year-over-year revenue increase for the third quarter of 2025. This surge stems primarily from licensing its original programming to train sophisticated AI language models.
Chief Financial Officer Phillip Hayden highlighted the significance of this shift during a recent investor call. “Through the first nine months, our licensing division brought in $23.4 million,” Hayden noted. “That figure already surpasses half of what our entire subscription business earned throughout 2024.”
The company has already completed eighteen AI-focused agreements involving video, audio, and software assets with nine different partners. Chief Executive Clint Stinchcomb projected that revenue from intellectual property licensing will eclipse subscription earnings by 2027, potentially even sooner. This strategic pivot demonstrates how specialized content libraries can find unexpected value in the age of artificial intelligence.
(Source: Ars Technica)
