Kanopy streaming service

Kanopy is a premier on-demand streaming video platform specifically designed for public libraries and academic institutions. Founded in 2008 in Scarborough, Western Australia, the service initially focused on providing educational DVDs to universities before pivoting to a digital subscription model. It stands out in the streaming market by offering a curated catalog of indie films, documentaries, and foreign cinema, accessible to users for free via their library card or university login.

In 2021, Kanopy underwent a significant change in ownership when it was acquired by OverDrive, a leading digital content provider for libraries based in the United States. This acquisition aimed to integrate Kanopy’s video expertise with OverDrive’s extensive reach in digital books and audiobooks. Today, Kanopy operates as a subsidiary of OverDrive, which itself is owned by the global investment firm KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Inc.). The service continues to be a major bridge between high-quality educational content and the general public, maintaining its headquarters in the United States while serving a global audience of students and lifelong learners.