Ripe Digital Shuts Down: Report
Online network and VOD content provider Ripe Digital Entertainment is reportedly closing down and trying to sell its assets. Deadline Hollywood Daily broke the story, which paidContent subsequently confirmed with its sources.
Founded in 2004, Ripe Digital was focused on creating entertainment for dudes with the online networks RipeTV, OctaneTV and FlowTV, featuring such shows as Sexy Road Test, Funk Flex TV and Pauly Shore’s America. In addition to its online presence, the company had VOD distribution deals with Comcast and Time Warner Cable.
Ripe had raised $45 million with investors including Hearst-Argyle, Time Warner Investments, Columbia Capital LLC and Rho Ventures.
We tried to contact Ripe for this post, but its New York office phone number went straight to a busy signal (repeatedly) and an email to the info address bounced back.
Ripe was just one of many sites targeting young men with content built around bikinis, cars and music. Other players in that space include Spike.com, KushTV (KushTV dropped the male focus and became branded entertainment siteRedLever) and UGO.
Ripe is also the latest content startup to fail this year. Other casualties in the online video world that shut down recently include ManiaTV and 60Frames.
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[...] While I am sure their founders are blaming the economy I think the answer is far less obtuse. According to NewTeeVee, Ripe Digital raised over $45 million in financing. Ripe Digital was focused on creating entertainment for dudes with the online networks RipeTV, OctaneTV and FlowTV, featuring such shows as Sexy Road Test, Funk Flex TV and Pauly Shore’s America. LINK [...]
Ripe Digital’s Downfall Had Obvious…
— 2:20 PM on June 16, 2009
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[...] out rebuilding its image. Plus, the post-Hulu world has not been kind to mid-tail competitors like Ripe Digital and 60Frames, both of which shut down; and advertisers aren’t as interested in original [...]
Former ManiaTV Owner Tries for a Do-Over
— 1:28 PM on July 10, 2009
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So the “dude-friendly” internet video space is getting smaller with outfits like RipeTV and KushTV either dropping like flies or having to repurpose themselves to stay afloat…
Well, Bite Me TV is still growing. Gentlemen, if you need an eye-candy fix then we’ve got your back. :) And…we’ll still be alive and kickin’ this time next year!
Too bad about Ripe. We provided them with a few of our MAN Cooking Show episodes for their site.
Cheers!
Druu from Bite Me TV