// startup autopsy
CastTV
A video search pioneer swept up by CBS before streaming changed everything.
platform dependencyAcqui-hire
Fatal mistake: CastTV built its entire value proposition on aggregating third-party video platforms, creating a platform dependency that left it vulnerable to competitive moves by those same platforms.
Key Events Timeline
FOUNDING
CastTV founded, launching a video search engine to aggregate content from YouTube, MySpace, and emerging video platforms.
FUNDING
CastTV closes $3.1M in funding, using capital to expand video indexing capabilities and grow its user base.
PRODUCT LAUNCH
Platform gains traction as online video consumption surges, but YouTube's search improvements begin threatening the core value proposition.
LAYOFF
Google-backed YouTube rolls out enhanced search and discovery features, directly competing with CastTV's aggregation model.
SHUTDOWN
CBS Interactive acquires CastTV to accelerate its online video strategy, ending CastTV's independent operations.