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Struggling to find something new to watch? Good news — streaming service Tubi has launched in the UK with 20,000 films and TV shows to watch free of charge.
The ad-supported streamer, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Corporation, is immensely popular in the United States of America, with some 80 million monthly active users. Free Ad-supported Streaming Television, more commonly known as FAST, is becoming increasingly popular in the UK too.
Samsung has its own portfolio of ad-supported channels via Samsung TV Plus, while Roku broadcasts its free-to-watch service, dubbed The Roku Channel, to device owners worldwide. Alongside its Prime Video service, which is only available with a paid subscription, Amazon also has a free alternative known as Freevee.
Sony recently joined the fray with the launch of eight ad-supported channels under its Sony One banner.
And now, Tubi is competing for your attention too. At launch, its catalogue will contain films and shows produced by Disney, Lionsgate — also now available as part of a dedicated paid service, NBC, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Tubi will also commission, produce, and broadcast exclusives for its streaming service.
The Twilight films, starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, horror film Candyman and Tubi original reality series House Of Heat are among the current offerings available at launch. The streamer says viewers can also expect a mixture of Hollywood films and British TV series, as well as content from India’s Bollywood and Nigeria’s Nollywood and Arthouse Cinema.
Tubi will also commission and produce its own original shows that won’t be available anywhere else, a strategy that’s worked wonders for streamers like Netflix, Prime Video, and The Roku Channel
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Other offerings on the streamer are Gerard Butler-fronted blockbuster Olympus Has Fallen, Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore, and horror comedy Happy Death Day. Among the UK offerings, viewers will be able to stream episodes of Great British Menu, The Secret History Of The British Garden, Paul Hollywood’s Pies & Puds and Mary Berry’s Foolproof Cooking.
As well as paid streamers, like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+, Tubi will compete with other free ad-supported services such as ITVX and Channel 4, as well as BBC iPlayer, which is free for all TV Licence Fee payers.
Tubi Chief Executive Officer Anjali Sud said: “Tubi has spent the last decade honing our approach to vast, free and fun streaming in North America, and we feel that now is the perfect time to bring that recipe to UK audiences. We are launching with one of the largest and most diverse content libraries in the UK, designed to indulge viewers in everything from blockbusters to original stories to hidden gems.
“Most importantly, we’re committed to listening to what resonates with UK fans, and bringing them more and more of what they love.”
David Salmon, who serves as Managing Director of International at Tubi, said: “At a time when traditional programming feels homogenous and when finding what to watch feels like a chore, Tubi has been effective at delivering delight beyond the monoculture with content that appeals to diverse and vibrant fandoms.
“We believe that we can build a brilliantly broad, culturally ambitious offering that puts UK audiences back at the centre, and makes it fun and easy to enjoy great entertainment from around the world.”
Tubi will be available for UK viewers to start streaming as a free application on “every major connected TV platform”, as well as iPhone, Android smartphones, iPad, and from your web browser.
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Tubi was recently named the most-watched free TV and movie streaming service in the United States. It boasts an immense library of over 250,000 movies and TV episodes in that market — much larger than the selection of titles available in the UK on day one. We’d expect to see that library grow in the coming months and years.
With the skyrocketing popularity of FAST streamers, companies like Netflix and Disney+ have launched ad-supported tiers with more affordable subscription prices, starting from £4.99 per month.
