Intertainer

About Intertainer

Intertainer Inc. stands as a pioneering, albeit now defunct, company in the video-on-demand (VOD) sector, having launched one of the first VOD services for both cable and broadband internet markets. The company was founded in June 1996 by Jonathan Taplin, Richard Baskin, and Jeremiah Chechik. Taplin, who served as Chairman and CEO, brought a rich background from the entertainment and finance industries. His journey included tour managing for Bob Dylan and The Band, producing films for Martin Scorsese, and working in media mergers and acquisitions at Merrill Lynch. This confluence of experience in content creation and high-finance was foundational to Intertainer's strategy. Co-founder Richard Baskin, son of the Baskin-Robbins co-founder, had a career as a film composer and producer, and was instrumental in developing and co-authoring key patents for streaming video technology used by the company.

The business operated on a subscription and on-demand model, targeting broadband-connected PC users and cable subscribers. Intertainer's service allowed users to stream a vast library of content without the constraints of physical media, such as sold-out titles or late fees. The company forged critical partnerships with major Hollywood studios, including Warner Bros., Universal, MGM, Sony, and Dreamworks SKG, to license a robust catalog of films and television shows. It also secured content from music labels like EMI and Warner Music Group for on-demand music videos and concerts.

The company's product was an entertainment-on-demand broadband service, accessible via Intertainer.tv, which delivered better-than-VHS quality streaming. A key strategic move was its partnership with Microsoft, utilizing Windows Media technology exclusively for delivery and leveraging Microsoft's MSN portal for promotion and marketing to reach millions of broadband users. In October 2001, Intertainer expanded its service from a trial in Cincinnati to 35 major U.S. markets, including New York and Los Angeles. The platform offered current Hollywood movies, classic films, television series like NBC's "Saturday Night Live," and music videos from a wide array of popular artists.