Streaming Service Turns to AI for Lucrative Licensing
Streaming Services
AI Licensing
Curiosity Stream
Large Language Models
IP Licensing
Generative AI
Subscriptions
9
Data’s New Masters
Media Hype
7/10
Real Impact
9/10
What is the Viqus Verdict?
We evaluate each news story based on its real impact versus its media hype to offer a clear and objective perspective.
AI Analysis:
While the initial hype around AI licensing is driven by the extraordinary success of this single streaming service, the underlying trend—the demand for data to train increasingly powerful LLMs—is undeniably real and poised to dramatically reshape the digital economy. The short-term impact is high due to the immediate, visible results, but the long-term implications are substantial.
Article Summary
Streaming service Curiosity Stream is undergoing a dramatic shift, driven by its unexpectedly lucrative strategy of licensing its content to large language model (LLM) developers. Founded in 2015 by Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks, the service offers a $40 annual subscription without commercials and has grown to include a television channel, Curiosity Channel, and educational programming through Curiosity University. Initially, the company faced challenges, but a recent turnaround has been fueled by demand for its 2 million hours of content, primarily for AI training. As of late 2025, Curiosity Stream is generating over half its revenue from licensing, a dramatic change from its subscription business. The company is collaborating with nine partners, including hyperscalers, to provide content used in training LLMs, and expects this to surpass subscription revenue by 2027. This strategy is attracting attention from other streaming services grappling with subscriber fatigue and fierce competition. While Curiosity Stream's core business remains subscriptions and advertising, the AI licensing arm represents a critical pillar for future growth, driven by the increasing demand for diverse data sets to train increasingly sophisticated AI models. The company’s leaders anticipate further opportunities beyond initial training rights, envisioning a long-term ecosystem built on display, transformative, and derivative rights, signaling a fundamental reshaping of the streaming landscape.Key Points
- Curiosity Stream is generating over 50% of its revenue from licensing its content to AI companies.
- The company's initial challenge was a slow subscription base, but revenue diversification through AI licensing is now driving growth.
- Executives anticipate continued revenue growth from AI licensing, even beyond initial training rights, suggesting a long-term business strategy.