Triller (company) explained

Former Name:TrillerNet
Triller Hold Co
Triller, Inc.
Type:Private
Products:
Founded: in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Founders:
  • David Leiberman
  • Sammy Rubin
Hq Location:2121 Avenue of the Stars
Hq Location City:Los Angeles, California
Hq Location Country:U.S.
Area Served:Worldwide
Key People:
Subsid:Flipps Media
Thuzio
BKFC

Triller, Inc[1] is an American company specializing in online video, social media, and combat sports. It is named after, and is the owner of, Triller; the social networking service which was launched in 2015 by co-founders David Leiberman and Sammy Rubin.

History

In April 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Triller organized a three-day streaming music festival known as "Trillerfest" in support of No Kid Hungry and the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. The event was headlined by Don Diablo, Marshmello, Migos, Pitbull, Snoop Dogg, and Wyclef Jean.[2]

On March 9, 2021, Triller acquired Verzuz.[3]

In June 2021, Triller partnered with Big3 to serve as a digital media partner for the league. This will include 30 hours of live games streaming within the Triller app (including exclusive coverage of the Big3 All-Star Game), coverage of the Big3 draft, social media presences, and courtside advertising.[4]

On April 14, 2021, Triller acquired video streaming service FITE TV, and customer engagement service Amplify.at.[5]

On November 22, 2021, Triller acquired influencer event firm Thuzio.[6]

On December 22, 2021, Triller announced its intention to merge with SeaChange International and go public. Under the terms of the deal, Triller shareholders would own at least 97.7% of the combined company. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.[7] It was later announced that the combined entity would be renamed TrillerVerz Company upon the merger's closure.[8] On June 14, 2022, it was reported that Triller would back out of the merger with SeaChange in order to pursue an IPO without a merger[9]

On February 24, 2022, Triller acquired a majority stake in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.[10]

Triller Fight Club

Background

See also: Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.. In July 2020, Triller announced that it had partnered with Mike Tyson's Legends Only League to become the media partner for its boxing events, with its inaugural event being an exhibition fight between Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. on November 28, 2020, distributed via pay-per-view. Triller would handle distribution of the fight to pay-per-view platforms and services such as Fite TV, and also carry a documentary miniseries leading into the fight.[11] [12] The PPV would not be carried within the Triller app itself due to its focus on short-form video, and a goal for wider distribution via traditional PPV outlets. Following the event, it was reported that the PPV had at least 1.6 million buys, surpassing UFC 251 as the most-bought combat sports PPV of 2020.[13] [14]

Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO of parent company Proxima Media, described the fight as being the launch of Triller's "high-end live events business", and explained that they aimed to reach audiences beyond core boxing fans by leveraging the present "cultural zeitgeist"; the PPV included a co-main event between internet celebrity and boxer Jake Paul and former NBA player Nate Robinson, music performances by acts such as Wiz Khalifa, and featured Snoop Dogg as a commentator.[15] Kavanaugh later referred to this practice as a "four-quadrant" entertainment event, supplementing boxing with internet, music, and sports personalities.

Launch

See also: Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren. In December 2020, Triller announced a partnership with Snoop Dogg to form Triller Fight Club—a "boxing league" that would be produced and hosted by Snoop Dogg, and consist of a series of annual PPV cards with "four-quadrant" elements carried over from the Tyson/Jones event.[16] [17] The first event under the banner was held on April 17, 2021, with a main event between Jake Paul and Ben Askren, and performances by The Black Keys, Diplo, Doja Cat, Justin Bieber, Major Lazer, Saweetie, and Mt. Westmore —a supergroup featuring Snoop, Ice Cube, Too Short and E-40. The event was held behind closed doors at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with Triller intentionally limiting attendance to 100 spectators chosen via promotional contests on the Triller app; Kavanaugh described this as a "golden ticket" model supporting its goal to give home viewers a "front row" experience.[18] [19]

In February 2021, it was reported that Triller Fight Club had won a purse bid to promote the fight between Teófimo López and George Kambosos to defend López's unified lightweight titles, beating out Matchroom and Top Rank with a bid reported to be $6 million. Kavanaugh stated that the match would likely be a co-main event on a future card.[20] In March 2021, Oscar De La Hoya announced a comeback fight during a planned card on July 3.[21] In May 2021, Triller signed long-time HBO boxing personality Jim Lampley as its lead commentator;[22] his role was expected to begin with Teófimo López vs. George Kambosos Jr. on June 19. However, after the López vs. Kambosos fight was postponed on multiple occasions, the International Boxing Federation ruled that Triller was in breach of their contractual obligation to stage the fight, subsequently awarding the rights to Matchroom as the second highest bidders.[23]

Controversies

In November 2021, Triller owner Ryan Kavanaugh publicized Triller Fight Club's new Triller Triad Combat with an open invitation to UFC president Dana White. The invitation, wreathed in a floral border, personally invited White to the event and offered an arranged tour and personalized autograph.[24] Kavanaugh's targeted appeal to Dana White may have been connected with White's comments on Triller in May 2021 when he dismissed questions about Triller saying, "You think I care what Triller thinks? I don't even take their calls. This idiot calls me every day. He calls me every day: 'Please answer my call. Please talk to me. Why won't you talk to me?' Because I don't give a f*ck about you."[25]

Lawsuits

Triller has filed lawsuits against several websites and a 19-year-old alleging illegal distribution of its streamed April 2021 boxing event, seeking $100 million and $150,000 respectively in damages.[26] [27] Following the dismissal of the $100 million suit as a misjoinder, Triller's subsidiary Triller Fight Club filed an amended complaint against the H3 Podcast, a video podcast native to YouTube, seeking $50 million in damages. The podcast's host Ethan Klein claims his inclusion of a 45-second clip of the event in one of his broadcasts constitutes fair use and alleges that Ryan Kavanaugh, a major stakeholder, has instigated the lawsuit "out of spite".[28]

In November 2021, Triller was sued for infringing a design patent and registered copyright and trademark in the marketing of Triller Fight Club's Triad Combat.[29]

On 16 August 2022, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland sued Triller, alleging that they are owed over $28 million related to the purchase of the webcast series Verzuz. Triller had bought Verzuz in January 2021 for an undisclosed sum.[30] In September, Swizz and Timbaland reached an amicable agreement with Triller and the case was settled.[31] By June 2024, Swizz and Timbaland would reacquire Verzuz and begin a partnership with Twitter.[32]

Assets

Streaming and Social

Combat sports

Other assets

A further list of brands and properties owned by Triller, Inc.[33]

Current

Former

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Privacy Policy . 2022-11-28 . Triller Help Center . en-US.
  2. Web site: McKynzie. Amber. April 10, 2020. TrillerFest Brings Out the Biggest Names in Music to Help COVID-19 Victims This Weekend. April 14, 2020. Complex. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415101410/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/04/trillerfest-quarantine-sessions-covid-relief. April 15, 2021. live.
  3. Web site: Lee. Wendy. March 9, 2021. Triller acquires Timbaland and Swizz Beatz's music platform Verzuz. live. April 16, 2021. Los Angeles Times. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210513013718/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-03-09/triller-acquires-timbaland-and-verzuz. May 13, 2021. subscription.
  4. Web site: Big3 media rights deal sees Triller move into basketball. Sam. Carp. June 4, 2021. live. June 7, 2021. SportsPro. https://web.archive.org/web/20210607070635/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/big3-triller-media-rights-streaming-draft-all-star-game-ice-cube. June 7, 2021.
  5. Web site: Perez. Sarah. April 14, 2021. Triller owner gets a new CEO with acquisition of Amplify.AI; also acquires livestreaming service FITE TV. April 14, 2021. TechCrunch. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210414175208/https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/14/triller-owner-gets-a-new-ceo-with-acquisition-of-amplify-ai-also-acquires-live-streaming-service-fite-tv/. April 14, 2021. live.
  6. Triller Acquires Thuzio, Leader in B2B Premium Influencer Events and Experiences; Strategic Acquisition is Latest Step in Triller's Rapid Growth in Live Event Programming.
  7. Triller to the "ILLR" – Triller Hold Co LLC expected to become publicly traded on Nasdaq through a reverse merger with publicly-traded company SeaChange International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEAC). 22 December 2021.
  8. TrillerVerz, which is set to go public via Nasdaq Entity Seachange: SEAC, Acquires Majority Interest in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
  9. News: 2022-06-14 . Short-video app Triller calls off SeaChange merger, says it will pursue IPO . en . Reuters . 2022-11-28.
  10. Web site: Triller acquires 'majority stake' in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. February 23, 2022. mmafighting.com. Shaun Al-Shatti.
  11. Web site: Tapp. Tom. July 23, 2020. Mike Tyson Announces Return To Ring In PPV Exhibition Fight Against Roy Jones, Jr. For His Legends Only League. April 14, 2021. Deadline. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210116014359/https://deadline.com/2020/07/mike-tyson-return-to-ring-ppv-exhibition-fight-against-roy-jones-jr-legends-only-league-1202993283/. January 16, 2021. live.
  12. Web site: Leff. Corey. November 25, 2020. Triller Using Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr. Pay-Per-View to Launch Premium Live Events Business. April 14, 2021. Sportico.com. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210417034725/https://www.sportico.com/leagues/boxing/2020/triller-mike-tyson-ppv-1234617217/. April 17, 2021. live.
  13. Web site: Dixon. Ed. December 8, 2020. Tyson-Jones Jr expected to reach more than 1.6m PPV buys. live. April 14, 2021. SportsPro Media. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415093041/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mike-tyson-roy-jones-jr-boxing-fight-ppv-buys-triller-ryan-kavanaugh. April 15, 2021.
  14. Web site: Peter. Josh. December 7, 2020. Mike Tyson's return to boxing against Roy Jones Jr. generated more than $80 million in revenue. live. April 14, 2021. USA Today. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507150634/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2020/12/07/mike-tyson-vs-roy-jones-jr-bout-80-m-pay-per-view-bonanza/6487482002/. May 7, 2021.
  15. Web site: Parker. Ryan. November 29, 2020. Mike Tyson And Roy Jones Jr. Boxed — But Snoop Dogg's Commentary Won The Fight. April 14, 2021. The Hollywood Reporter. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210504135001/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mike-tyson-and-roy-jones-jr-boxed-but-snoop-doggs-commentary-won-the-fight. May 4, 2021. live.
  16. Web site: Rothstein. Michael. December 3, 2020. Snoop Dogg, Triller to start new boxing league. April 14, 2021. ESPN.com. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227132057/https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/30439462/snoop-dogg-triller-start-new-boxing-league-fight-club. February 27, 2021. live.
  17. Web site: Leff. Corey. March 9, 2021. Triller Overspent on Lopez Fight, but Unique Business Model May Yield Profit. April 14, 2021. Sportico.com. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210417084605/https://www.sportico.com/leagues/boxing/2021/triller-teofimo-lopez-kambosos-1234624395/. April 17, 2021. live.
  18. Web site: Cirisano. Tatiana. March 17, 2021. Justin Bieber, Snoop's New Group and More to Perform at Triller Fight Club's Jake Paul Bout. April 14, 2021. The Hollywood Reporter. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210417034402/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/justin-bieber-snoops-new-group-and-more-to-perform-at-triller-fight-clubs-jake-paul-bout. April 17, 2021. live.
  19. Web site: Dixon. Ed. April 13, 2021. Uncovering Triller Fight Club's boxing blueprint. live. April 14, 2021. SportsPro Media. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415211419/https://www.sportspromedia.com/analysis/triller-fight-club-boxing-ryan-kavanaugh-paul-askren-lopez-kambosos-ppv. April 15, 2021.
  20. Web site: Baby. Ben. February 25, 2021. Triller to promote Lopez's next title defense. April 14, 2021. ESPN.com. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210416211342/https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/30963276/triller-promote-teofimo-lopez-next-title-defense-george-kamobosos. April 16, 2021. live.
  21. Web site: Tapp. Tom. March 27, 2021. Oscar De La Hoya, 48, Announces Comeback Under Snoop Dogg's Fight Club Banner And Via Ryan Kavanaugh's Triller Platform. live. April 14, 2021. Deadline. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210417161552/https://deadline.com/2021/03/oscar-de-la-hoya-comeback-fight-snoop-ryan-kavanaugh-triller-1234723026/. April 17, 2021.
  22. Web site: June 1, 2021. Andrew. Bucholtz. Famed boxing broadcaster Jim Lampley signs with Triller Fight Club. June 2, 2021. Awful Announcing. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214403/https://awfulannouncing.com/boxing/hall-of-fame-broadcaster-jim-lampley-signs-with-triller-fight-club.html. June 2, 2021. live.
  23. Web site: Coppinger. Mike. October 6, 2021. IBF awards Lopez-Kambosos bout to Matchroom. live. December 10, 2021. ESPN. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20211126195820/https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/32350065/teofimo-lopez-george-kambosos-bout-awarded-matchroom-triller-found-default. November 26, 2021.
  24. News: Corner. Blue. 2021-11-25. Ryan Kavanaugh invites UFC's Dana White to Triller's Triad Combat event to see a 'proper production'. MMA Junkie. 2021-12-15.
  25. News: King. Nolan. Hathaway. Ken. 2021-05-16. Dana White tells Triller executives to stop hounding him: 'This idiot calls me every day'. MMA Junkie. 2023-02-08.
  26. Web site: Triller filed a piracy lawsuit against an Instagram user who it says commented 'watched the Jake Paul fight for free' on their co-owner's page. Steven. Asarch. June 14, 2021. Business Insider. November 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714053120/https://www.businessinsider.com/triller-app-lawsuit-jake-paul-youtubers-websites-instagram-users-h3-2021-6. July 14, 2021. live. subscription.
  27. Web site: Triller sues 12 websites for allegedly illegally streaming Jake Paul-Ben Askren PPV. Kevin. Iole. April 26, 2021. Yahoo! Sports. November 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210501051653/https://sports.yahoo.com/triller-sues-12-websites-for-allegedly-illegally-streaming-jake-paul-ben-askren-ppv-190312552.html. May 1, 2021. live.
  28. Web site: Triller is suing YouTuber Ethan Klein's podcast for $50 million, claiming he illegally distributed Jake Paul's fight. Steven. Asarch. May 12, 2021. Insider. November 15, 2021.
  29. News: Hayes. Peter. 2021-11-19. Triller Fight Club Sued Over Use of Triangle-Shaped Ring. Bloomberg Law. 2021-12-15.
  30. News: Swizz Beatz, Timbaland sue Triller for $28 million in missing payments . en-US . Washington Post . 2022-08-17 . 0190-8286.
  31. Web site: Cho . Winston . 2022-09-23 . Timbaland, Swizz Beatz Settle With Triller in $28M Suit Over 'Verzuz' Deal . 2022-10-04 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  32. Web site: 2024-06-20 . Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s Verzuz returns with exclusive distribution partnership with Elon Musk’s X . 2024-08-06 . . en-US.
  33. Web site: Home . 2022-11-28 . Triller Inc. . en-US.

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