Shomi, A Netflix Streaming Competitor, Closes Its Doors

Shomi, the Canadian alternative to Netflix, is shutting down, the service has announced. The streaming service launched in Canada as an alternative to Netflix, with the companies behind it, Shaw and Rogers, offering Shomi as an add-on for their Internet and cable subscribers, as well as a standalone subscription for others. Despite the money and effort shoveled into it, Shomi, the 'Canadian innovation,' failed to sustain itself.

Shomi announced the closure on its website recently, saying that existing customers can keep streaming until November 30, but no new customers are able to register. Those who are interested largely have Netflix and similar streaming sites as an alternative.

Despite its ultimate closure, no one can accuse Rogers and Shaw of not having tried hard enough — ample amounts were spent on the service, with Rogers shelling out up to $140 million CAD, at least according to Bloomberg. The service was also available on many popular devices, including the PS4, Xbox One and 360, Apple TV, and Chromecast.

Overall, the service managed to last two years. "We couldn't have done it without all of you," Shomi said in a statement. Of course, Shomi isn't the first streaming company to buckle under the weight of Netflix; Redbox, for example, killed off its Instant streaming service back in late 2014.

SOURCE: Shomi