Sony Pictures Television is closing down its free-VOD service Crackle in the UK on April 1.
The company has not issued any formal statements, but people visiting the portal’s website see the message that reads “We’d like to thank all those who have supported and enjoyed Crackle UK. As of April 1, 2014 Crackle’s UK service will no longer be operating.”
Sony Pictures acquired Crackle in 2006, when it was called Grouper, a technology platform using P2P file-sharing. In 2007, Sony relaunched the Grouper online video sharing site branding it as Crackle in the US.
After its US launch Sony introduced local versions in the UK, Australia, Canada and Latin America in June 2010.
Advertiser supported, Crackle features original short-form series, full-length and short-form television shows, and motion pictures from the Sony Pictures library.
