The document summarizes the rise and fall of Couchville, a TV listings and social networking website launched by SnapStream Media in 2007. It describes how SnapStream developed a prototype for a simple TV listings and search site, launched the site under the name Couchville, and saw initial success through coverage on TechCrunch and Digg. However, demands from a patent holder to pay high royalties per visitor led SnapStream to discontinue Couchville and focus elsewhere. The experience taught SnapStream that narrowly focusing on a simple mission can gain attention, but monetization is difficult without large scale.