Stoner Cats is an animated television series featuring a star-studded cast of voice actors, including Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Chris Rock, and Seth MacFarlane. The show is created by a team of artists and animators from the animation studio behind “Robot Chicken” and “Bojack Horseman.”
What makes Stoner Cats unique is that it is being released as a collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are unique digital assets stored on a blockchain. Each episode of the show is released as an NFT, which can be bought, sold, and traded by collectors. At its peak, the show’s NFTs were worth a whopping $8 million!
We’re back to NFTs again?!
NFTs are unique digital assets that are stored on a blockchain, which is a decentralized ledger that records transactions in a secure and transparent way. Each NFT is unique and has a specific value, which is determined by the market demand for that particular asset. NFTs have been used to sell a wide range of digital assets, including artwork, music, and even tweets.
There are plenty of applications of NFTs, we covered a range of them in our previous articles, in a 2-part series that you can read about here and here.
How exactly can an NFT become a TV Show???
In the case of Stoner Cats, since each episode of the show is released as an NFT, in order to watch the show, viewers must own at least one NFT. When an NFT owner “redeems” their NFT, they are granted access to a special website where they can watch the episode. Each NFT also includes various perks, such as exclusive behind-the-scenes content, digital artwork, and other rewards.
The concept of releasing a television show as a collection of NFTs is still relatively new, but it has generated a lot of buzz in the NFT community and beyond. The show has already attracted a star-studded cast of voice actors, including Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Chris Rock, and Seth MacFarlane. The show is also notable for its irreverent humor and unique animation style, which is sure to appeal to a wide range of audiences.
Why release a television show as a collection of NFTs?
There are a few potential benefits to this approach. For one, it allows creators to directly monetize their work and earn revenue from each sale of an NFT. This can be especially appealing for independent creators who may struggle to find traditional distribution methods for their work.
In addition, NFTs allow for a new level of fan engagement and participation. By owning an NFT, viewers become part of a community of fans who are all invested in the success of the show. This can lead to increased social media buzz, fan theories, and other forms of engagement that can help to build a loyal fan base.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to the NFT approach. For one, it can be exclusive and expensive. Not everyone can afford to purchase an NFT, which means that some viewers may be left out of the viewing experience. Additionally, the value of NFTs can be volatile and subject to market fluctuations, which could make them a risky investment for some.
Was Stoner Cats successful?
According to reports from various sources, including the Stoner Cats website and social media accounts, the first episode of the show sold out within hours of its release. The NFTs for subsequent episodes were also popular, with some selling for tens of thousands of dollars. One source claims that the sale of Stoner Cats’ sale of NFTs brought in $8 million!
The success of the Stoner Cats NFTs can be attributed to several factors. For one, the show’s star-studded cast and irreverent humor generated a lot of buzz and anticipation among fans. Additionally, the unique approach of releasing a TV show as a collection of NFTs helped to create a sense of exclusivity and collectability that appealed to many buyers.
Are there others?
Stoner Cats was one of the first television shows to be released exclusively as NFTs. However, there have been other examples of NFTs being used in the entertainment industry, particularly in the music industry.
For example, in March 2021, electronic musician 3LAU sold an NFT album for over $11 million. The album, titled “Ultraviolet,” consisted of 33 unique NFTs that each contained a different piece of music, artwork, and other digital content. This allowed 3LAU to monetize his work in a new and innovative way, while also giving fans a unique and exclusive way to own and experience his music.
In addition to music, NFTs have also been used to sell other forms of digital content, such as artwork, collectibles, and even tweets. However, the use of NFTs in the entertainment industry is still relatively new, and it remains to be seen how widespread this approach will become in the future.
Is the future bleak or bright?
The creators of Stoner Cats are optimistic about the potential of the NFT approach. In an interview with The Verge, creator Chris Bruno noted that “the idea is to create a sustainable model for creators to fund their own projects and continue to create on their own terms.” This could potentially lead to a new era of independent media creation and distribution, where creators are empowered to take control of their own destinies.
Stoner Cats represents a unique experiment in media distribution that could have far-reaching implications for the entertainment industry as a whole. By leveraging the power of NFTs, the creators of the show are pioneering a new way of creating, distributing, and consuming media content that is sure to inspire other creators to think outside the box. Whether Stoner Cats will be a commercial success remains to be seen, but it is clear that the show is already making waves in the world of NFTs and beyond.
