With streaming services popping up left and right, new providers needs a unique ways to be noticed. Quibi launched in April 2020 and offers original shows featuring celebrity talent — exclusively for mobile phones. Expect short clips and videos — or quick bites — made to watch on your phone.
But it doesn’t offer a free subscription tier, and its cheapest one at $4.99 comes with ads.
| Service type | On-demand streaming |
|---|---|
| Free trial | 90 days |
| Pricing starts at | $4.99 |
| Lock-in contract | No |
Quibi is shutting down. Quibi released a statement on October 22 2020 citing either “the idea itself wasn’t strong enough to justify a standalone streaming service or because the release was hampered due to the COVID-19 pandemic”. While the app is still currently available to download and even allows you to even sign up, we expect that soon you won’t be able to do either.
Quibi, short for “quick bites,” it’s a new streaming service built with mobile devices in mind. Instead of offering licensed TV shows or movies, the platform has creating original content, with 175 titles the first year of launch. Its list features content from big-name stars and creators, including Sophie Turner, Chrissy Teigen, Reese Witherspoon, Idris Elba and Jennifer Lopez.
It’s made for your smart phone with its turnstyle video-streaming technology. Your video instantly switches between portrait and landscape mode as you move your phone.
Content is aimed at people 18 to 44 years old — so you’ll find pop culture, dramas, comedy, game shows and more, each between seven and 10 minutes long. Don’t expect family friendly content or kid’s cartoons. Categories include:
Quibi’s selling point is that viewers can be current with shows and pop culture without a serious time commitment. Waiting for the bus? Enjoy a quick bite. On your lunch break? Tune in for a slightly longer movie chapter.
Quibi offers two price tiers:
Quibi customers can get a 90-day free trial for a limited time.
At launch Quibi offers 175 titles of short films, shows and series. Look for new and familiar actors.
Offer news and lifestyle series. Highlights include daily shows from brands like NBC, BBC, ESPN, E!, TMZ and more. The content lineup lists two motivational and meditation segments: The Rachel Hollis Show and The Daily Chill.
The service has plans to produce 175 titles in the first year alone. Content to look forward to includes Spielberg’s After Dark, a horror series from Steven Spielberg that will only be available to stream after the sun sets. Yes, you’ve read that right.
Quibi is only available on mobile devices, with both Android and iOS supported.
While Quibi offers users quick bites of content at an affordable price, serial bingers maybe be looking for bigger content libraries. If you’re not entirely sold on this short-form streaming service, take a second to compare other streaming services before signing up for Quibi.
