Tubi Going To Charge Customers?
Tubi, the largest free ad-supported streaming platform in several countries, was recently the subject of rumors suggesting a $9.99 fee would be tacked onto the service starting in September 2023. Fortunately, the speculation was not true, with the company debunking the false information in a post on social media.
While some folks may be happy to pay for Tubi if it means ad-free viewing, the platform is likely contractually limited to ad-supported content. According to Cord Cutters News, broadcasting rights are sold to multiple streamers for different markets.
Tubi has shot down rumors that the free streaming service would start charging a monthly subscription fee.
Tubi may have the right to screen something with adverts, but another service might have a contract to offer the same show or movie without.
The positive news, for now, is that fans of Tubi’s free ad-supported service will not be required to pay anything while enjoying the extensive selection of movies and television shows available on the platform. Additionally, Fox, its parent company, recently announced that the platform now boasts 50,000 on-demand titles and multiple live channels.
“Tubi continues to grow on all fronts posting record ad revenue and total viewing time growth numbers quarter after quarter.”
-Tubi Media Group CEO, Paul Cheesbrough
Moreover, to enhance Tubi’s content offerings, Fox has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to incorporate content from its networks. This collaboration has aided Tubi in attracting new viewers during the first quarter of 2023.
“Tubi continues to grow on all fronts posting record ad revenue and total viewing time growth numbers quarter after quarter,” CEO of Tubi Media Group Paul Cheesbrough said.
Mark Rotblat, Tubi’s Chief Revenue Officer, expressed a similar sentiment, saying Tubi viewers experience personalized journeys due to the platform’s vast library, which offers an endless array of content tailor-made for each individual.
“One percent of all streaming and TV viewership is now on Tubi, making us the largest and fastest growing free ad-supported streaming service in the U.S,” he said.
At present, the free streamer attracts approximately 64 million users monthly. Established in 2014, the service became a hub for licensed content from various distributors. The acquisition of ad-supported platform by the Fox Corporation in 2020 further propelled its growth, with the company actively endorsing it as monthly viewership continues to surge.
Tubi has expanded its presence beyond the United States, providing subscription options in Latin America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As viewers contemplate their choices, the minor inconvenience of advertising interruptions has become increasingly desirable compared to the expense of a subscription fee.
Despite the slight awkwardness of inserting ads into movies that were not originally designed to accommodate interruptions, many viewers have grown accustomed to this format due to their experience with cable television. Another appealing factor is that Tubi does not require a subscription, although users can sign in using their social media profiles.
Tubi is also conveniently accessible on various platforms, including a web browser version and dedicated apps for popular smart TV devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire. Moreover, Fox used its 2023 Super Bowl broadcast to grow the streamer with several viral adverts that helped push expansion.
What’s Worth Watching On Tubi
Although there may be a fair share of mediocre offerings on the platform, there is also an abundance of popular titles. At any given time, Tubi’s library might feature esteemed films like the Oscar-winning Hacksaw Ridge, Goodfellas, or 8 Mile.
Through this compelling content, Tubi poses a threat to major streaming services like Netflix or Max. If viewers are not particularly interested in a service’s original content, they might cancel their subscription and enjoy the available library titles for free.
