Cinedigm Digital Cinema, Corp was founded in 2000 under the name Access IT Digital Media, Inc., through a group led by Bud Mayo, the founder of Clearview Cinemas. Mayo directed Cinedigm until his retirement in 2010, and subsequently founded Digital Cinema Destinations Corp. In September 2013, the company changed its name to Cinedigm Corp. In January 2011, Chris McGurk joined as Chairman and CEO. In July 2011, Cinedigm closed the sale for Technicolor to acquire certain assets of Cinedigm's physical and electronic distribution business, which also includes the global licensing of the Cinedigm digital distribution software platform. In August 2011, Screenvision acquired UniqueScreen Media, Inc., the cinema advertising division of Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. Additionally, the companies entered into a long-term agreement, with Cinedigm providing distribution and promotion for Screenvision. In April 2012, Cinedigm acquired distributor company New Video. In October 2013, the company acquired Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment. The acquisition made Cinedigm the largest digital and physical distributor of independent content. In 2014, Jeffrey Edell joined as CFO.
Video on Demand
In May 2014, Cinedigm launched Docurama, an OTT documentary channel. Docurama's content features full-length and short-form documentaries, non-fiction TV programming, behind-the-scenes interviews, as well as curated film festival coverage. In February 2015, Cinedigm and Wizard World launched CONtv, a fandom-focused digital streaming network. CONtv programming features original shows, a catalog composted primarily of cult television shows and genre movies, and live coverage of events, panels and programs from Wizard World Comic Cons. CONtv has licensed content from distributors including Starz Digital Media, RLJ Entertainment, DHX Media, The Jim Henson Company, Full Moon Films, Sentai Filmworks, Well Go USA, and Zodiak Media. In September 2015, Cinedigm partnered with The Dove Foundation to launch The Dove Channel, an online streaming service of "uniquely curated programming" geared towards kids and faith-based viewers. In June 2015, Cinedigm acquired a minority state in Shout! Factory, which operates a streaming service. In December 2017, Jeffrey Edell worked with Gary Loffredo and Chris McGurk to close a deal of approximately $40mm with Bison Capital of Hong Kong to start one of the first China-US Studios, giving Bison control of Cinedigm. On February 5, 2019, Cinedigm acquired streaming service Viewster and its Viewster Anime subsidiary.
