# Watch Club

**Type:** Microdrama platform with integrated community features  
**Founded:** 2025 (launched beta February 2026)  
**Founder:** Henry Soong (ex-Meta product manager)  
**Headquarters:** San Francisco, CA  
**Status:** Active (beta)

## Overview

Watch Club is a microdrama platform that integrates fan community features (polls, reaction videos, discussions) directly inside the app. The company positions itself as the "Facebook moment" for microdramas—a category currently dominated by engagement-optimized platforms like ReelShort.

## Funding

**Seed Round (2025):**
- Lead: GV (Google Ventures)
- Investors: Jack Conte (Patreon co-founder), media veterans from Hulu and HBO Max, former Meta executives, Upside Ventures (The Sidemen's investment arm)
- Amount: Undisclosed

## Product Strategy

**Differentiation:**
- Community infrastructure integrated into viewing experience
- TV-quality production values (SAG actors, WGA writers)
- Supplementary content (in-character social media, text messages between episodes)

**Metrics tracked:**
- Completion rates
- Comment depth
- Social follows for cast/writers
- Return rates

## First Original: Return Offer

Three interns at San Francisco AI startup compete for one full-time position. Created by Devon Albert-Stone (ex-development co-head, Michael Showalter's company), directed by Jackie Zhou (Chappell Roan's "Hot to Go" music video).

## Thesis

The microdrama market is in its "MySpace era"—Watch Club is positioning for the "Facebook moment" through community infrastructure + quality differentiation, betting against ReelShort's engagement-optimization model.

## Timeline

- **2025** — Founded by Henry Soong
- **2025** — Seed round led by GV (Google Ventures)
- **Feb 2026** — Beta launch with first original show "Return Offer"

## Sources

- TechCrunch (Feb 2026): https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/watch-club-microdrama-video-social-network/
- Deadline (Feb 2026): https://deadline.com/2026/02/former-facebook-exec-launches-watch-club-microdrama-google-ventures-1236708013/