Curiosity Stream expects to make most of its money from AI deals by 2027

In a bold move that may redefine revenue strategies in the streaming sector, Curiosity Stream is charting a new course by significantly investing in artificial intelligence partnerships. Founded in 2015 by Discovery Channel's John Hendricks, Curiosity Stream stands out as a subscription-based service focusing on science, history, research, and educational content, all without commercial interruptions. With an annual subscription fee of $40, the platform has steadily grown its offerings, including the addition of the Curiosity Channel on television. After nearly a decade of operations, Curiosity Stream reported its first positive net income in fiscal Q1 2025, marking a significant milestone in its journey. Despite having a much smaller subscriber base—23 million as of March 2023—compared to giants like Netflix, which boasted 301.6 million subscribers in January 2025, Curiosity Stream is not backing down in an intensely competitive market. The company recently announced a remarkable 41 percent year-over-year revenue increase in its Q3 2025 earnings, primarily driven by the licensing of its original programming for training large language models (LLMs). Phillip Hayden, the CFO of Curiosity Stream, highlighted the financial impact of these licensing deals, noting that they generated $23.4 million through September, surpassing half of the total revenues from subscriptions in 2024. The company has engaged in 18 AI-related projects across various formats, collaborating with nine partners as of October. Looking ahead, CEO Clint Stinchcomb confidently projected that by 2027, or possibly sooner, Curiosity Stream expects to earn more from licensing its intellectual property to AI firms than from its subscription services. This strategic shift could significantly reshape its financial landscape and position in the streaming ecosystem.