Canadian operator Rogers Communications is shutting down its shomi video streaming service after little more than two years in the face of significant expected losses in the third quarter.
In a Monday press release, Rogers said it will shutter shomi service on November 30. The company said the decision came in light of an expected loss on investment of approximately $100 million to $140 million Canadian dollars (approximately $106 million) in the third quarter ending Sept. 30.
“We tried something new, and customers who used shomi loved it,” Rogers Senior Vice President of Content Melani Griffith said. “It’s like a great cult favorite with a fantastic core audience that unfortunately just isn’t big enough to be renewed for another season.”
Launched as a joint venture between Rogers and Shaw Communications to compete with the likes of Netflix, shomi made its debut in August 2014. The video streaming service was made available as an add on to Rogers’ Internet and cable customers in November 2014 for $8.99 Canadian dollars ($6.79) per month.
Just like Netflix, shomi offered customers prior seasons of popular TV shows as well as cult-classic and fan-favorite films. The service was available on both tablets and mobile devices, online, trough set-top boxes and via Xbox 360 and Chromecast.
As shomi sunsets, Griffith said Rogers will reach out to eligible customers to offer alternative experiences.
