When it launched in 2008, the streaming service provided quality content like award-winning documentaries and classic cinema to university students and faculty for free—no ads, no subscriptions. Eight years later, the company extended its offerings to all library-card holders. Now Kanopy is stepping into a new era with a growing slate of original productions and an expanded catalog of television series, films, and documentaries. To note this new period, it also has a revamped tagline. “Stream Smarter.”
This is more than just a marketing refresh, says Jason Tyrrell, executive vice president of content. “It reflects the distinctive value Kanopy offers through high-quality content, a thoughtful viewing experience, and trusted access through libraries and educational institutions.”
Kanopy’s previous tagline, “Films That Matter,” helped the company establish its identity as a library-first alternative to commercial streaming. The new framing more accurately represents the breadth of Kanopy’s offerings—more than 30,000 titles in a variety of genres—and its dedication to fostering digital literacy and meaningful screen time.
“‘Stream Smarter’ stands for our commitment to delivering content that aligns with the values and aspirations of libraries as well as their patron and student needs and interests—exclusive, high-quality films, TV series, documentaries, and now, Kanopy Originals,” Tyrrell says. “These are stories that aren’t just entertaining. They’re enriching. They’re documentaries that challenge the status quo, series that amplify diverse voices, and book adaptations that bring literary gems to life.”
Kanopy Originals first production, Banned Together, is a documentary about book bans and curriculum censorship following three students and their adult allies as they fight to reinstate books suddenly pulled from their school libraries. In 2026, Kanopy Originals will premiere America’s Next Great Author, a reality television series hosted by bestselling author and Emmy Award–winning producer Kwame Alexander that features a diverse slate of amateur writers in a book-writing competition.
“These projects align directly with Kanopy’s mission to support access to stories that matter,” Tyrrell says. “Banned Together explores the personal stories behind book censorship in schools, while America’s Next Great Author uplifts emerging voices and celebrates the power of storytelling. These are timely, relevant and socially conscious programs—and Kanopy is proud to offer them free through libraries, where they can inspire important conversations across communities.”
Tyrrell says these same values inform Kanopy’s curation more generally. “We prioritize content that is entertaining, educational, thought-provoking, and aligned with the interests and values of our library partners. That includes international cinema and content that reaches across books and movies. We also seek titles that support academic instruction and public library programming—from early childhood development to lifelong learning.”
Kanopy’s affordable pay-per-use (PPU) model enables libraries to provide user-driven access to its catalog. Each month, patrons receive a set number of tickets from their library that give them access to the content on Kanopy, a system that helps libraries control their monthly budgets.
As commercial streaming costs rise, Kanopy’s mission to empower libraries to provide access to high-quality content has become more urgent, Tyrrell says. To serve institutions of all sizes and budgets, Kanopy offers several flexible access models—from pay-per-use to annual subscriptions—so libraries and universities can tailor their streaming service based on their resources and usage patterns.
“Our goal is to ensure equity of access, regardless of institution size or resources,” he says. “We work closely with our partners to deliver cost-effective, scalable solutions that meet their communities’ needs.”
Kanopy’s parent company, OverDrive, also operates platforms providing free e-books and audiobooks through public libraries and school libraries, Libby and Sora, respectively. The company is also investing in tools to support literacy outcomes, book discovery, and community and school engagement. “We’re working to ensure that libraries remain indispensable cultural and educational institutions well into the digital future,” Tyrrell says.
