Fox Corporation is making its mark in the UK’s competitive free, ad-supported video streaming market with the introduction of Tubi. Tubi, acquired by Fox in 2020 for $440 million (£348 million), has gained significant traction in the US with nearly 80 million monthly active users, according to Fox.
In the UK, Tubi aims to compete with established platforms like Netflix, Disney+, ITVX, Channel 4’s streaming service, and BBC iPlayer. It plans to offer over 20,000 films and TV series, featuring content from major studios such as Disney, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Additionally, Tubi will showcase a curated selection of British, Indian, and Nigerian content.
Viewers in the UK will access Tubi’s content through its website and a dedicated smartphone app, providing free and diverse streaming options. Anjali Sud, CEO of Tubi, expressed confidence in the platform’s approach, cultivated over a decade in North America, now tailored for UK audiences.
The launch of Tubi in the UK comes amid strategic shifts in the streaming industry. Major players like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ have ventured into ad-supported services while adjusting subscription pricing to bolster revenues and expand content libraries. This move reflects efforts to attract and retain a broader customer base in an intensively competitive market landscape.
In a related development, Mr. Murdoch’s TalkTV network recently transitioned from terrestrial television to an online-only service after facing challenges in viewer engagement since its 2022 launch. Originally envisioned as an opinion-led alternative, TalkTV was seen by some as an attempt to replicate the success of Murdoch’s pioneering role in launching Sky in 1984.
Murdoch’s impact on the UK’s broadcasting industry remains significant, despite the divestment of 21st Century Fox’s stake in Sky to Comcast’s NBCUniversal in 2018, following a high-profile bidding war. The move underscores Murdoch’s enduring influence and strategic maneuvers in navigating the evolving media landscape.
With Tubi’s entry into the UK market, Fox Corporation aims to leverage its acquisition to capture a substantial share of the burgeoning streaming audience, offering a compelling alternative in the realm of ad-supported streaming services.
