Most have fallen into the trap of endlessly scrolling through Netflix’s immense library to find something to watch. The disproportionate time that people spend finding a series versus actually viewing has given rise to a new category of watchlist apps. Bingie is the ultimate entertainment recommendation app that taps into personal networks to help find relevant content. Bingie puts an emphasis on content suggestions from friends and family to create a highly-personalized interface where users can discuss, discover, and debate the merits of shows and movies. The platform works across the major streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
LA TechWatch caught up with Cofounder Matt Knox to learn more about Bingie, the company’s inspiration, and future growth plans.
Tell us about the product or service Bingie offers.
Bingie is a new social recommendation platform to discover, discuss, and share what to watch next. The mobile app is designed to improve and streamline the process of show and movie recommendations by placing a larger emphasis on trusted suggestions from friends and family and creating a dedicated environment for debates and conversations. Bingie delivers a seamless experience aggregating shows and movies from a variety of streaming services and networks including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV, HBO, and Vudu among others.
What inspired the start of Bingie?
I lead a product development group called Wonderful here in LA. I had startup experience before building Wonderful, and I started this agency with my brother to help other startups scale their inventions and masterpieces. We’ve helped design, build and launch startups that have received over $150M in funding and I’ve had the pleasure of working with some amazing larger brands including NFL, Pepsi, and Toyota to name a few.
We’ve built an amazing team over the past decade and we always knew that one day we’d use our startup and product development skills to create a company of our own. I was talking with some of my long-time friends and fellow cofounder and CEO of Bingie, Joey Lane, a few months ago and we all came to the conclusion that there wasn’t a truly social recommendation platform for entertainment. We wanted to have all of our conversations about Tiger King or whatever other TV/streaming show in one easy-to-use app. After conducting a survey and doing additional research, we knew other people felt the same way and so we got to work building Bingie.
How is Bingie different?
Other watchlist apps or streaming services use ineffective artificial intelligence algorithms to try and suggest relevant content for viewers or they end up becoming glorified digital guides. Bingie emphasizes the truly social approach to discovering and recommending movies and TV shows with human-based recommendations. We found that 65% of people actually prefer word-of-mouth recommendations from trusted friends and family rather than from algorithms. The other big difference is that Bingie is a social platform where all your TV and film debates can live. It’s the easiest way to keep track of all your recommendations, watchlists, and discussions with friends in one easy-to-navigate app.
What market is Bingie attacking and how big is it?
We are helping the entertainment industry by providing the glue to connect the dozens of networks and streaming services that provide thousands of films and TV shows to viewers. This is a multi-billion-dollar industry that will only continue to grow, so we believe there is a great opportunity to work more closely with these services as Bingie grows over the next few years.
What is the business model?
Bingie is free for anyone to download in the iOS app store. We have various revenue channels we’re exploring down the line that will work seamlessly with content providers such as advertising, opt-in surveys, and more.
How has COVID-19 impacted the business?
We have all been working remotely since the start of COVID-19 and we are fortunate that we are in the type of business that has been able to transition relatively seamlessly. We’ve been working together online to develop the backend and ensure the frontend design is ready for launch. Streaming has skyrocketed during the ongoing crisis, so Bingie is actually set up to help consumers waste less time searching individually through services and spend more time watching content they actually enjoy and discussing it with friends.
Tell us what building your company in LA has been like?
It’s been fantastic. I moved out here several years ago for the entertainment scene, and later my career shifted to tech. What makes LA so special is the way we can uniquely blend technology and entertainment, which is perfect for Bingie.
What are the milestones that you plan to achieve within six months?
Hundreds of thousands of users and more than a million shares.
If you could be put in touch with one person in the LA Tech tech community who would it be and why?
Jeffrey Katzenberg. We all know what an illustrious career he has had with both Disney and Dreamworks, where he has proven himself as a master storyteller and risk-taker. It’s actually his new venture, Quibi, that I am fascinated with. I think there is something really special that can happen with short-form content. I know they are trying to figure out the secret sauce right now, and I would love to listen in on those meetings. I have ideas!
What does being “Made in LA” mean to you and your company?
The magic and the roots of film and television, and even the music scene, are deeply embedded in LA. We want to capture that magic with Bingie and help people continue to find great new movies and shows to get inspired, to learn, or just laugh!
The magic and the roots of film and television, and even the music scene, are deeply embedded in LA. We want to capture that magic with Bingie and help people continue to find great new movies and shows to get inspired, to learn, or just laugh!
What else can be done to promote early-stage entrepreneurship in Los Angeles?
For starters, I think we should go ahead and drop the “Silicon Beach” thing. I have huge respect for all of the innovation in Silicon Valley, and they certainly earned their nickname. That said, LA is home of the best storytelling in the world, through movies, television, and music. LA sits at the crossroads of entertainment and technology, so let’s brand ourselves for what makes us special.
As we grow our own, unique brand, life gets easier for early-stage entrepreneurs, especially ones that are fundraising. It wasn’t too long ago when it really stood out if you were fundraising and you were not from Silicon Valley – it was an immediate strike against you. It’s gotten much better, but we need to keep the LA-based Tech Entrepreneur branding moving forward.
What is your favorite restaurant in LA?
HopDoddy Burger Bar.
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