Dropout CEO Sam Reich on business, comedy, and keeping culture weird

September 22, 2025·1 hr 6 min·5 clips

Sam Reich explains how he acquired Dropout TV for zero dollars in a risky deal with IAC.

Hank Green interviews Sam Reich, CEO of Dropout TV, about his unconventional journey acquiring the company for zero dollars, navigating layoffs and COVID, and building a successful subscription-based comedy platform. They delve into business models, creative leadership, and strategies like profit sharing and social media marketing.

As heard by us

A grounded Decoder conversation about how Dropout turned comedy, fandom, and a $6.99 subscription into a functioning media business.

Sam Reich's Dropout story fits Decoder's Technology lane because it is less about comedy mythology than business plumbing. Hank Green sets up the unlikely arc: CollegeHumor became Dropout after a zero-dollar sale, massive layoffs, and the arrival of COVID in early 2020.

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