The Meet Group

The Meet Group, parent company of dating apps like MeetMe, Skout, Tagged, GROWLr and LOVOO, has partnered with personal safety app UrSafe to offer users an array of new security options when they date. 

Through the “Date Night” feature on these dating apps, users will be prompted to opt in for a free 60-day premium subscription to UrSafe’s features, including Follow Me, Check In, Hands-Free SOS, and Fake Call. According to URSafe's press release, Follow Me and Check In allow the user to share locations with a trusted friend or family member while on the date, and the Hands-Free option lets users set personal trigger words that activate different responses within the app immediately, even if the user isn’t holding or touching their phone. Depending on the level of alert, UrSafe will connect the user to friends and family, or the authorities if needed. Fake Call can be activated as well, in case the user needs an “out” during the date. 

The app industry saw revenue spike to $50.1 billion for the first two quarters of 2020, in part due to people isolating at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Dating app Tinder topped the list of non-game app revenue earners.

This marks a 23.4% increase from the first half of 2019 according to Tech Crunch, compared with a 20% increase for the same time period between 2018 and 2019. The data seems to also point to a growing new user base. First time app installs were up 26.1% in the first half of 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019, and reached a total of 71.5 billion downloads.

Topping the non-game app list was dating app Tinder, followed by YouTube, and popular social apps TikTok and Tencent. Netflix was the fifth-highest earner.

GROWLr which calls it self "The Bear Social Network" is a dating service for gay singles. Late in April they launched live 1 on 1 video capabilities for both their iOS and Android apps. Since we are in the in the midst of the pandemic this one-on-one video chat feature is now free for all members. This gives GROWLr members the ability to connect with others through live video while still being safe at home and self isolating.

In a 2 week period at the end of April over 50,000 different members have tried out the live video on GROWLr. This averages out to 15,000 members everyday live video streaming with another member. These statistics shows people wanted the ability to do 1 on 1 video calling built into the app since it provides a quick, secure and easier way to meet and socialize with others during the pandemic.

POF is taking virtual dating to the next level with a new initiative called NextDate Social Hours on its POF Live! platform.

NextDate is like virtual speed dating, where users have the opportunity not only to meet new people but also win prizes for participating. Users can go to POF Live! and hit the “go live” button to join while the speed dating hours are in session. They can join NextDate by clicking the heart at the bottom on their screens.

Once a user has joined NextDate, they will get paired with a potential match who has also joined. Then each of you is given some prompts to ask questions and get to know each other while other participants can watch and send hearts and other virtual gifts of encouragement, according to POF’s blog.

Dating app Plenty of Fish (or POF for short) is rolling out a new feature in the coming weeks to users that allows them to livestream video chat with potential matches.

The free livestreaming feature called LIVE! Is POF’s way of encouraging its users to “date from a distance” according to their press release. The company partnered with The Meet Group, Inc., a livestream technology service, to create the feature. 

It’s simple to use. There’s a “LIVE!” icon within the POF app that members can tap which takes you to a home page where you can see the most popular livestreams. You can tune in to a stream or create your own. It’s a way to “stay connected and create a sense of community from the convenience of home,” according to the company’s release.

Rumors began to swirl last December that German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE’s e-commerce arm, NuCom Group, had expressed preliminary interest in acquiring The Meet Group. It has now been announced that the companies have entered a definitive agreement to proceed with the acquisition. NuCom will pay $6.30 a share in the deal, putting an enterprise value on Meet Group of approximately $500 million.

Based in Pennsylvania, The Meet Group is a maker of mobile apps that focus on live streaming broadcasts and text-based conversations, including MeetMe, Skout,  LOVOO, Tagged and Growlr. NuCom’s holdings include eHarmony, which it acquired in 2018, and the Germany-based dating platform Parship. The Meet Group’s dating brands will be combined with NuCom’s portfolio company Parship Group. The acquisition will help both companies diversify their revenue streams and broaden their combined international footprint.