Dropout Launches "Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared" in Historic Licensing Deal

Comedy streaming service Dropout, previously known as CollegeHumor, has announced the launch of the British comedy series "Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared." This marks Dropout's first-ever licensing deal, a three-year non-exclusive syndication agreement. The series, created by Becky Sloan and Joseph Pelling, will begin streaming its web series version immediately, with the longer television series version set to release biweekly starting March 20.

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"Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared" originated as a YouTube phenomenon, amassing over 250 million views since its debut. The show features three main characters—Red Guy, Yellow Guy, and Duck—who navigate various life lessons with the help of animated objects, often uncovering unsettling truths along the way. The series has been described as a blend of the whimsical and the eerie, likened to a combination of "The Muppet Show" and "Twin Peaks."

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The streaming agreement with Dropout comes at a time of rising subscriber numbers and increased content development for the platform. Dropout CEO Sam Reich expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This marks a careful, experimental step into selective licensing for us, driven by our admiration for the show and our strong relationship with its creators.” The deal is seen as a strategic move to diversify Dropout's content offerings while tapping into the show's established fanbase.

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Sloan and Pelling, the creators of "Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared," expressed their excitement about the deal, stating, “We are both thrilled to hear that Dropout is going to put our puppet show on their website. They have assured us the episodes will be in full HD and have both sound and visuals in sync most of the time!” This assurance highlights the creators' commitment to maintaining the quality of their work in the new streaming format.

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While the deal has been largely welcomed, some industry observers have raised questions about the sustainability of licensing agreements for niche content. Concerns have been voiced regarding whether such partnerships can effectively grow subscriber bases in a competitive streaming landscape dominated by larger players.

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As Dropout prepares for the launch of the longer TV series version of "Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared," the platform is expected to continue exploring additional licensing opportunities. This move could signal a shift in strategy as Dropout seeks to expand its content library and attract a broader audience.

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• “This marks a careful, experimental step into selective licensing for us, driven by our admiration for the show and our strong relationship with its creators.” — Sam Reich, CEO of Dropout

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• “ Sloan and Pelling added: “We are both thrilled to hear that Dropout is going to put our puppet show on their website.” — Becky Sloan and Joseph Pelling, Creators of "Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared."

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