crackle

Crackle may refer to more than one thing. In everyday usage, it is an onomatopoeic term for a short, sharp, irregular popping or crackling sound produced by burning wood, static electricity, or aging electronics. The word is used to describe the audible texture of a fire, of crackling radio interference, or of similar auditory phenomena.

Crackle is also the name of a free, ad-supported streaming service operated by Sony Pictures Television. The service began life as Grouper, an online video site, and was subsequently rebranded as Crackle after Sony acquired the service. Crackle provides a catalog of feature films, television series, and original programming that can be watched without a subscription, with revenue generated through advertising. Content is licensed from a range of studios and distributors, and the library varies by country and region. The platform is accessible via web browsers, mobile apps, and selected smart TVs and streaming devices.

In the streaming domain, Crackle has been part of Sony’s broader strategy to offer third-party and original programming through a free, ad-supported model that competes with other similar services. The brand has undergone branding changes over time, including periods when it carried the Sony Crackle designation, before returning to the Crackle identity in various markets.