Crypt TV

Crypt TV is a digital entertainment company focused on developing, producing, and distributing horror-themed content, aspiring to create a cinematic universe of monsters for a modern audience. The company was founded in April 2015 by CEO Jack Davis and filmmaker Eli Roth, with initial backing from Jason Blum's Blumhouse Productions. The concept originated from a viral contest they launched in October 2014 called "6 Second Scare," which challenged people to create frightening videos on the Vine platform, demonstrating the potential for short-form horror on mobile devices.

The company's primary business is creating a shared universe of original, recurring monster characters distributed through short-form video series on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. This digital-first approach allows Crypt TV to engage directly with its target demographic of Millennials and Gen Z viewers, using real-time social media feedback to gauge a character's popularity and potential for further development. Characters that resonate with the audience, such as "The Birch," "The Look-See," and "Giggles the Clown," are integrated into the larger "Crypt Monster Universe" and may receive expanded storylines, longer episodes, or even become the basis for television series. For instance, "The Birch" was developed into a full-fledged series for Facebook Watch.

Crypt TV's revenue model is multifaceted. It generates income through advertising on its digital content, brand partnerships, and co-production deals with major Hollywood studios like Fox, WB, and Netflix to create original content. Another significant stream comes from intellectual property licensing. This includes merchandising deals, such as the one with retailer Spencer's for clothing and masks based on its popular characters, and featuring its monsters as attractions at events like Knott's Scary Farm. The company has also expanded into producing longer-form content for streaming services, including a partnership with Peacock for "The Girl in the Woods" and international collaborations like the Hindi film "Chhorii."

Keywords: digital horror, monster universe, short-form content, web series, horror entertainment, Eli Roth, Jack Davis, Blumhouse Productions, social media horror, character IP, The Birch, The Look-See, Giggles the Clown, Facebook Watch, online video, horror shorts, creature features, digital media, entertainment production, Gen Z audience, millennial viewers, content licensing, horror franchise, streaming content