Donald Trump’s media company, Trump Media and Technology Groupis working on developing a direct-to-consumer video-on-demand streaming subscription service called TMTG+, according to a S-1 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, TMTG will develop a podcast platform. The filing was filed last Friday by Digital World Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, which plans to merge with TMTG. The news of TMTG+ was first announced in a Press release of October 20, 2021 on the TMTG-DWAC merger.
“TMTG believes that there is an acute need for quality programming that does not lecture its viewers or present only an ‘okay’ approach to a subject. Artists and creators have often been agents of change in our society. Major media conglomerates are becoming increasingly monolithic in their opinions, overruling those who disagree with the dominant narrative. TMTG believes that embracing diverse perspectives will differentiate TMTG+ in today’s crowded media and entertainment market,” DWAC said in the S-1 deposit.
TMTG has not announced a launch date or price for the TMTG+ streaming subscription service. TMTG+ is led by Scott St. John, an executive producer who has worked on shows such as “Deal or No Deal” and “America’s Got Talent” and produced more than 1,000 hours of network and cable television, according to TMTG.
TMTG+ content
The streaming subscription service plans to focus on “unawakened” content and hopes to undo “cancel culture.” In filing S-1, TMTG stated that it would not censor entertainment creators for TMTG+, nor would it insist that its programming push any particular political ideology.
“TMTG wants TMTG+ to be a direct subscription video streaming service that will include unique programming. TMTG+ intends to offer programming including, but not limited to, blue-collar comedy, canceled shows, Trump-specific programming, faith-based programming, family entertainment, programming that adopts the second amendment and news,” DWAC said in the deposit.
“TMTG intends to license, produce and distribute unawakened news, sports and entertainment content through this platform. TMTG+ will provide a platform for conservative and/or libertarian views, and content otherwise canceled from other television and/or digital streaming platforms. TMTG also intends to create, operate and market a podcasting platform as part of its TMTG+ streaming service,” DWAC wrote on the streaming subscription service.
TRUTH Social
TMTG is also the creator of TRUTH Social, a social media app designed to create an open forum for free speech without discrimination or censorship. The app launched earlier this year in beta form and officially launched on May 18. It is currently only available for iOS; TMTG has not announced a release date for Android. Sources vary depending on whether TRUTH Social is a popular tool or not. As of April 23, 2022, new downloads of the free app had fallen to 218,186 after an initial spike when the beta was released.
Insider grip
No matter what you think of former President Donald Trump, he’s innovative, creative, and making news. He has an audience of tens of millions at his fingertips, and he’s pretty much always in the media spotlight. While the Truth Social app isn’t (yet) the darling social network Trump was hoping for, there is potential appeal for a streaming subscription service that offers the kind of content Trump supporters will enjoy. For those who aren’t Trump fans, TMTG+ could be a lot like watching a train wreck. You don’t want that to happen, but you can’t look away either.
