Entertainment discovery platform Likewise has been acquired by Watchlist Inc., a new holding company formed by Josh Epstein. The former chief business officer at Likewise, who developed the company's newsletter monetization strategy, Epstein will now serve as Likewise CEO.
Likewise combines editorial content with AI-driven personalized entertainment recommendations. Its newsletters are the key component, with 8.4 million combined subscribers to Booklist (books), Podlist (podcasts), and Watchlist (TV and movies). Further newsletters in the books space, which will focus on children's entertainment and audiobooks, YA books, and other categories, are forthcoming.
The acquisition was backed by media and technology executives with experience at major industry companies. Board members and strategic investors include former Paramount CEO Bob Bakish, who serves as an advisor, and board chair Mino Capossela, a former Goldman Sachs partner. Other backers have backgrounds at AppNexus, Comcast, Google, Reddit, TelevisaUnivision, and YouTube. Gates Frontier, Likewise's previous owner, retains a minority stake in the company.
While the original mobile app, website, and Likewise's Pix discovery tool remain unchanged, Bakish noted the platform's potential for innovation in content discovery going forward. "There will be great new innovations for consumers to discover and connect to content they love," he said in a statement.
"Newsletters are the new direct-to-consumer front door to media," said Epstein, in a statement. "Our flagship titles are already shaping what millions of people watch, read, and listen to every day."
