Quibi

Quibi was founded in August 2018 as NewTV by Jeffrey Katzenberg and was led by Meg Whitman as CEO.{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Wendy |title=Quibi aims to launch 5,000 'quick bite' videos when it debuts |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-quibi-20181205-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=February 18, 2020 |date=December 5, 2018 |archive-date=February 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217233009/https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-quibi-20181205-story.html |url-status=live }} In October 2018, NewTV was renamed Quibi.{{Cite web|title=Jeffrey Katzenberg's Shortform Video Venture Gets New Name, Lines Up Projects From Guillermo del Toro, Antoine Fuqua|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jeffrey-katzenbergs-newtv-gets-new-name-quibi-1151120|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 10, 2018 |language=en|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708215842/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jeffrey-katzenbergs-newtv-gets-new-name-quibi-1151120|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn C.|date=October 10, 2018|title=Jeffrey Katzenberg And Meg Whitman Unveil Name Of NewTV: Quibi (Short For Quick Bites)|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman-announce-name-newtv-quibi-1202480096/|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en|archive-date=July 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707173450/https://deadline.com/2018/10/jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman-announce-name-newtv-quibi-1202480096/|url-status=live}} The service targeted a younger demographic, with content delivered in 10-minute episodes called "quick bites" (with the name Quibi derived from "QUI-ck BI-tes").{{cite web |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |title=Jeffrey Katzenberg, Meg Whitman Offer Details on Quibi Launch, Pricing |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/quibi-jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman-produced-by-1203236854 |website=Variety |access-date=June 20, 2019 |date=June 9, 2019 |archive-date=June 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609173151/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/quibi-jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman-produced-by-1203236854/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/quibi-katzenberg-whitman-streaming-startup-11592157291|title=Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman Struggle With Their Startup—and Each Other|first=Benjamin|last=Mullin|date=June 14, 2020|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022105552/https://www.wsj.com/articles/quibi-katzenberg-whitman-streaming-startup-11592157291|url-status=live}} In 2018, Quibi raised $1 billion in funding from major Hollywood film studios, TV companies, telecommunications companies, technology companies, banks, and other investors including The Walt Disney Company, 21st Century Fox, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures, WarnerMedia, Viacom, RTL Group, FremantleMedia, eOne, Lionsgate, MGM, Madrone Capital, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Alibaba Group, Liberty Global, and ITV.{{cite web |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Jeffrey Katzenberg's 'NewTV' Startup Closes $1 Billion, All Major Studios Among Investors |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/newtv-jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman-1-billion-funding-1202897529/ |website=Variety |access-date=July 8, 2019 |date=August 7, 2018 |archive-date=August 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808010104/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/newtv-jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman-1-billion-funding-1202897529/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|last=Sweney|first=Mark|date=August 7, 2018|title=ITV joins Hollywood giants to back video streaming service for mobiles|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/aug/07/itv-joins-hollywood-giants-to-back-video-streaming-service-for-mobiles|access-date=July 6, 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=September 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904001334/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/aug/07/itv-joins-hollywood-giants-to-back-video-streaming-service-for-mobiles|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Quibi announced it would launch in April 2020 with two pricing tiers. On July 8, 2019, BBC Studios announced it had invested in Quibi.{{Cite web|last=Goldbart|first=Max|title=BBC Studios invests in Quibi|url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc-studios/bbc-studios-invests-in-quibi/5141006.article|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=Broadcast|language=en|archive-date=July 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707073639/https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc-studios/bbc-studios-invests-in-quibi/5141006.article|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Clarke|first=Stewart|date=July 8, 2019|title=BBC Studios Invests in Short-Form Platform Quibi|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/bbc-studios-invests-quibi-jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman-fierce-queens-1203260827/|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806192638/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/bbc-studios-invests-quibi-jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman-fierce-queens-1203260827/|url-status=live}} By late 2019, Quibi announced it had sold out its first-year advertising inventory, which amounted to $150 million.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/23/streaming-service-quibi-sells-out-of-its-150m-in-first-year-ad-inventory/|title=Streaming service Quibi sells out of its $150M in first-year ad inventory|author=Sarah Perez|date=October 23, 2019|access-date=October 22, 2020|work=TechCrunch|archive-date=March 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308214324/https://techcrunch.com/wp-json/wp/v2/tc_events?_embed=true&upcoming=true&parent=0&cachePrevention=0|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Quibi presented at CES on its full launch plans including details on its content, technology, and partnerships.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ces.tech/Videos/2020/Quibi-Keynote.aspx|title=Quibi Keynote - CES 2021|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026095721/https://www.ces.tech/Videos/2020/Quibi-Keynote.aspx|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/1782301/ces-2020-gave-a-glimpse-into-short-form-streaming-service-quibi/|title=Quibi thinks it can change the way you watch TV|first=Adam|last=Epstein|website=Quartz|date=January 10, 2020 |access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026194826/https://qz.com/1782301/ces-2020-gave-a-glimpse-into-short-form-streaming-service-quibi/|url-status=live}} In March 2020, Quibi announced a partnership with Canadian telecommunications company BCE, whereby its Bell Media division would produce Canadian news and sports content for the service (via CTV News and TSN respectively), and Bell Mobility would be Quibi's exclusive Canadian telecom marketing partner.{{cite web|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2020/03/05/bell-partners-with-quibi-to-provide-daily-news-and-sports-content/|title=Bell exclusively partners with Quibi to provide daily news, sports content for the streaming service|first=Aisha|last=Malik|work=MobileSyrup.com|date=March 5, 2020|access-date=March 11, 2020|archive-date=March 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306155006/https://mobilesyrup.com/2020/03/05/bell-partners-with-quibi-to-provide-daily-news-and-sports-content/|url-status=live}}

Quibi launched on April 6, 2020.{{cite web |last1=Sperling |first1=Nicole |title=What Is Jeffrey Katzenberg's Quibi All About, and Why Should You Care? |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/06/quibi-jeffrey-katzenberg-streaming-platform-interview |website=Vanity Fair |access-date=June 20, 2019 |date=June 14, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617211618/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/06/quibi-jeffrey-katzenberg-streaming-platform-interview |url-status=live }} It was available in the United States and Canada.{{Cite web|title=Quibi, Netflix's weirdest rival, is off to a rough start|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/12/media/quibi-coronavirus/index.html|author=Frank Pallotta|website=CNN|date=May 12, 2020 |access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-date=May 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516173602/https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/12/media/quibi-coronavirus/index.html|url-status=live}} An ad-free U.S. version of the app was made available in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Germany among others on April 6, 2020.{{Cite news|date=April 7, 2020|title=Short-form streaming app launches to rival Netflix|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52193311|access-date=July 6, 2020|archive-date=July 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718155003/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52193311|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last1=Edwards|first1=Richard|last2=April 2020|first2=Samuel Roberts 06|title=Quibi: free trial, price, exclusive shows and how to sign up|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/quibi-free-trial-price-exclusive-shows-and-how-to-sign-up|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=TechRadar|date=April 6, 2020 |language=en|archive-date=July 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710010825/https://www.techradar.com/news/quibi-free-trial-price-exclusive-shows-and-how-to-sign-up|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=April 6, 2020|title=Quibi streaming service launches, unexpectedly, in Australia|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/tv-shows/quibi-streaming-service-launches-in-australia-with-50-shows-90day-free-trial/news-story/3a9d3563a50d2a40d78cd5ac60bc53cb|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=NewsComAu|language=en|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708131950/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/tv-shows/quibi-streaming-service-launches-in-australia-with-50-shows-90day-free-trial/news-story/3a9d3563a50d2a40d78cd5ac60bc53cb|url-status=live}} TechCrunch reported that Quibi saw 300,000 downloads and "hit No. 3 in the App Store" on its launch day.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/07/quibi-gains-300k-launch-day-downloads-hits-no-3-on-app-store/|title=Quibi gains 300K launch day downloads, hits No. 3 on App Store|work=TechCrunch|date=April 7, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|author=Sarah Perez|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113192118/https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/07/quibi-gains-300k-launch-day-downloads-hits-no-3-on-app-store/|url-status=live}} On April 14, the company announced it had seen 1.7 million downloads of its app in its release week.{{cite web |last1=Richwine |first1=Lisa |title=Short-format streaming service Quibi reports 1.7 million downloads in its first week |url=https://www.platformexecutive.com/news/media-and-content/short-format-streaming-service-quibi-reports-1-7-million-downloads-in-its-first-week/ |website=Platform Executive |access-date=April 15, 2020 |date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806160120/https://www.platformexecutive.com/news/media-and-content/short-format-streaming-service-quibi-reports-1-7-million-downloads-in-its-first-week/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|date=April 13, 2020|title=Quibi reaches 1.7m downloads in the first week|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52275692|access-date=July 6, 2020|archive-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717214109/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52275692|url-status=live}} In the Google Play store, Quibi was the 11th-most-downloaded app as of April 16.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/350252/quibis-ios-app-ranking-dives-android-performance.html|title=Quibi's iOS App Ranking Dives; Android Performance Strong|website=Digital News Daily|author=Karlene Lukovitz|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024101202/https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/350252/quibis-ios-app-ranking-dives-android-performance.html|url-status=live}}

Quibi's app fell out of the list of the 50 most-downloaded free iPhone apps in the United States a week after it was released. According to the analytics firm Sensor Tower, by early May the app was ranked 125th. Sensor Tower also said the app had been installed by 2.9 million customers, although Quibi said the figure was closer to 3.5 million. Of those who had installed the app, Quibi says 1.3 million were active users. Katzenberg acknowledged the performance was "not close to what we wanted," stating, "I attribute everything that has gone wrong to coronavirus"—a reference to the COVID-19 pandemic that was disrupting daily routines at the time of the launch.{{cite news |last1=Sperling |first1=Nicole |title=Jeffrey Katzenberg Blames Pandemic for Quibi's Rough Start |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/business/media/jeffrey-katzenberg-quibi-coronavirus.html |access-date=May 12, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=May 11, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512001424/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/business/media/jeffrey-katzenberg-quibi-coronavirus.html |url-status=live }} Whitman was more positive in her assessment of the launch.

Moves were made to adjust the service by allowing users to share content on social media platforms and to watch shows on televisions in addition to phones. A feature was added to allow shows to be cast from phones onto TVs through AirPlay and Chromecast, with the screen orientation being set to landscape by default.{{cite web|url=https://www.protocol.com/quibi-adds-airplay-chromecast-support|title=Quibi placed a Hollywood-style bet but is now 'iterating' like Silicon Valley|author=Roettgers, Janko|date=May 28, 2020|website=Protocol|access-date=September 21, 2020|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921093531/https://www.protocol.com/quibi-adds-airplay-chromecast-support|url-status=live}} Quibi also developed its own screenshotting function.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/quibi-screenshots-054628323.html|title=Quibi will let you screenshot its shows|author=Mariella, Moon|date=July 24, 2020|website=Engadget|access-date=September 21, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920001536/https://www.engadget.com/quibi-screenshots-054628323.html|url-status=live}}

By early June, the company implemented voluntary executive pay cuts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/quibi-asks-senior-executives-to-take-10-pay-cut-11591206642|title=Quibi Asks Senior Executives to Take 10% Pay Cut|first=Benjamin|last=Mullin|date=June 3, 2020|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016131530/https://www.wsj.com/articles/quibi-asks-senior-executives-to-take-10-pay-cut-11591206642|url-status=live}} That same month, the service was on track for 2 million subscribers in its first year, far below its projected 7.4 million total.{{Cite web|date=June 15, 2020|title=Quibi Is on Track to… Miss a Year One Subscriber Goal by 5 Million|url=https://collider.com/quibi-subcriber-goal-report-new-details/|author=Allie Gemmill|access-date=June 16, 2020|website=Collider|archive-date=June 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615184602/https://collider.com/quibi-subcriber-goal-report-new-details/|url-status=live}} From January to mid-June, Quibi raised an additional $750 million in funding. In July 2020, Sensor Tower reported that about 8 percent of Quibi's early wave of users had converted into paying subscribers,{{Cite web|last=Statt|first=Nick|date=July 8, 2020|title=Quibi reportedly lost 90 percent of early users after their free trials expired|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/8/21318060/quibi-subscriber-count-free-trial-paying-users-conversion-rate|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=The Verge|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709000528/https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/8/21318060/quibi-subscriber-count-free-trial-paying-users-conversion-rate|url-status=live}} while the subscription analytics firm Antenna reported that 27% of "Quibi day 1, 90-day trial users converted their trials," though Quibi stated that these numbers were inaccurate.{{cite tweet|user=AntennaData|number=1285374704178663427 |title=Our data showed that 27% of Quibi day 1, 90-day trial users converted their free trials. To further validate this finding, we looked at the subsequent 14-day free trials, and found the number was 30%.|date=July 20, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020}}

In early August, a free, ad-supported version of the service was released in Australia and New Zealand, and the price of the ad-free version was reduced.{{Cite news|last=Patel|first=Sahil|date=August 5, 2020|title=Quibi Tests a Free Version in Australia and New Zealand|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/quibi-tests-a-free-version-in-australia-and-new-zealand-11596671716|access-date=August 26, 2020|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=August 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825234609/https://www.wsj.com/articles/quibi-tests-a-free-version-in-australia-and-new-zealand-11596671716|url-status=live}} According to reports in The Wall Street Journal and Recode in September 2020, the platform was looking for a potential acquirer with other possibilities, such as raising more funds, or becoming a public company by backing into a shell corporation. The report stated Quibi had $200 million in funds available.{{cite news |last=Kafka |first=Peter |url=https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/9/21/21449795/quibi-sale-video-buyers |title=After 6 months and $1.8 billion, Quibi wants a new owner. That will be a hard sell. |work=Recode |publisher=Vox |date=September 21, 2020 |access-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922212806/https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/9/21/21449795/quibi-sale-video-buyers |url-status=live }}

In October, Quibi was made available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV.{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=October 21, 2020|title=Quibi Lands on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV — but It's Probably Too Little, Too Late|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/quibi-apple-tv-amazon-fire-tv-google-tv-1234811798/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021150552/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/quibi-apple-tv-amazon-fire-tv-google-tv-1234811798/|archive-date=October 21, 2020|access-date=October 21, 2020|work=Variety}}

On October 21, 2020, just six months after Quibi's launch, The Wall Street Journal reported that the streaming service was shutting down.{{cite news|last1=Mullin|first1=Benjamin|last2=Flint|first2=Joe|last3=Farrell|first3=Maureen|title=Quibi Is Shutting Down as Problems Mount|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/quibi-weighs-shutting-down-as-problems-mount-11603301946|access-date=October 21, 2020|work=Wall Street Journal|date=October 21, 2020|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021174652/https://www.wsj.com/articles/quibi-weighs-shutting-down-as-problems-mount-11603301946|url-status=live}} Later, that same day, this news was confirmed by both Katzenberg and Whitman. Katzenberg told Deadline Hollywood, "There was no question that keeping us going was not going to have a different outcome, it was just going to spend a whole lot more money without any value to show for it. So, out of respect for these people that put up this extraordinary amount of capital to do it, that's irresponsible and we both felt we shouldn't do it." In the interview, Katzenberg also cited the unfortunate timing of the launch during the pandemic as a contributing factor. At the time of the announcement, Quibi had approximately 500,000 subscribers.{{Cite web|title=A look at why Quibi failed so soon after launching|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/look-why-quibi-failed-so-soon-after-launching-n1244312|access-date=2020-10-23|website=NBC News|date=October 22, 2020 |language=en|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023111715/https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/look-why-quibi-failed-so-soon-after-launching-n1244312|url-status=live}}

The announcement of the shutdown left the fate of existing, upcoming, and planned original programming in "development hell",{{cite web |last1=Steinberg |first1=Brian |last2=Thorne |first2=Will |title=Quibi's Demise Spurs Hand-Wringing for TV Partners |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/quibi-tv-partners-60-minutes-blumhouse-1234812512/ |website=Variety |date=21 October 2020 |access-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022140348/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/quibi-tv-partners-60-minutes-blumhouse-1234812512/ |url-status=live }} as Quibi does not own the rights to any of their programming, since their deals with the creators of their original programming allowed them to retain the copyright to their content and distribute it in traditional forms after a few years.{{cite web |last1=Sperling |first1=Nicole |title=Two Veteran C.E.O.s Risk $1.8 Billion on a Streaming App. In a Pandemic. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/05/business/media/quibi-streaming-app-jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman.html |website=The New York Times |date=5 April 2020 |quote=Mr. Katzenberg and Ms. Whitman had an easy time making deals partly because of the terms they offer: The company pays for production costs and licensing rights, allowing the creators of Quibi programs to retain copyright, meaning they can sell their work to another platform or network after a set number of years. |access-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022033811/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/05/business/media/quibi-streaming-app-jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman.html |url-status=live }} The next day, on October 22, it was announced that Quibi would officially shut down "on or around" December 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/quibi-to-pull-the-plug-on-dec-1/|title=Quibi to Pull the Plug on Dec 1|first=Tim|last=Baysinger|work=TheWrap|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025002000/https://www.thewrap.com/quibi-to-pull-the-plug-on-dec-1/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Quibi Is Officially Dead |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/quibi-officially-shuts-down-1234842926/ |access-date=December 4, 2020 |work=Variety |date=December 1, 2020 |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219164013/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/quibi-officially-shuts-down-1234842926/ |url-status=live }}

On January 3, 2021, it was announced that Roku was in advanced talks to acquire rights to Quibi's library.{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Amol |title=Roku Nears Deal to Buy Rights to Quibi's Content |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/roku-nears-deal-to-buy-rights-to-quibis-content-11609725389 |access-date=4 January 2021 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=3 January 2021 |archive-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104184023/https://www.wsj.com/articles/roku-nears-deal-to-buy-rights-to-quibis-content-11609725389 |url-status=live }} On January 8, 2021, Roku officially announced that all of Quibi's 75 programs would be streamed on their platform, The Roku Channel.{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=January 8, 2021|title=Roku Acquires Global Rights to 75-Plus Quibi Shows, Will Stream Them for Free|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roku-acquires-quibi-shows-free-streaming-1234881238/|access-date=January 8, 2021|work=Variety|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108142134/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roku-acquires-quibi-shows-free-streaming-1234881238/|url-status=live}} Roku acquired the content from Quibi for an amount less than $100 million, with the condition that the content would remain in their short-form format.{{cite news |last1=Mullin |first1=Benjamin |title=Roku Acquires Rights to Quibi's Content |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/roku-acquires-rights-to-quibi-s-content-11610116056 |access-date=21 January 2021 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=8 January 2021 |archive-date=August 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821005500/https://www.wsj.com/articles/roku-acquires-rights-to-quibi-s-content-11610116056 |url-status=live }} The shows would be rebranded as "Roku Originals",{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/roku-wisely-rebrands-its-soon-to-debut-quibi-content-as-1846733852|title=Roku Wisely Rebrands Its Soon-to-Debut Quibi Content as 'Roku Originals'|website=Gizmodo|last=Keck|first=Catie|date=April 21, 2021|access-date=April 30, 2021|archive-date=July 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716080635/https://gizmodo.com/roku-wisely-rebrands-its-soon-to-debut-quibi-content-as-1846733852|url-status=live}} with 30 of them relaunched on the service on May 20, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roku-quibi-shows-streaming-free-1234972153/|title=Roku Set to Release 30 Quibi Shows for Free|website=Variety|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=May 13, 2021|access-date=May 13, 2021|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513130119/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roku-quibi-shows-streaming-free-1234972153/|url-status=live}}

{{main|List of Quibi original programming}}

Quibi spent over $1 billion on commissioning original content in its first year, totalling 8,500{{cite web |last1=Vineyard |first1=Jennifer |title=Quibi Is Coming. Here Are the Famous People Making Shows for It. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/06/arts/television/quibi-shows-stars.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 12, 2020 |date=March 6, 2020 |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311173334/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/06/arts/television/quibi-shows-stars.html |url-status=live }} short-form episodes and including over 175 shows.{{cite web |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Quibi Has Already Booked $100 Million in Ad Sales, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman Say |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/quibi-100-million-ads-jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman-cannes-1203247177 |website=Variety |access-date=June 21, 2019 |date=June 19, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620141851/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/quibi-100-million-ads-jeffrey-katzenberg-meg-whitman-cannes-1203247177/ |url-status=live }} Unlike many streaming video platforms, Quibi's content was made specifically for mobile devices and could be viewed in either a traditional 16:9 horizontal aspect ratio, or a 9:16 vertical frame (with the user able to shift between them in the same video). Instead of half-hour TV episodes or two-hour films, content on Quibi was delivered in episodes of 10 minutes or less.{{cite web |last1=Patel |first1=Sahil |title=Mobile-only: Quibi will be exclusively mobile, dropping early plans for TV apps |url=https://digiday.com/media/quibi-will-be-exclusively-mobile-dropping-early-plans-for-tv-apps |website=Digiday |access-date=June 21, 2019 |date=June 5, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620213948/https://digiday.com/media/quibi-will-be-exclusively-mobile-dropping-early-plans-for-tv-apps/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=VanArendonk |first1=Kathryn |title=Yep, Quibi Is Bad |date=April 24, 2020 |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/04/the-bites-are-quick-and-bad.html |publisher=Vulture |access-date=April 24, 2020 |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610150042/https://www.vulture.com/2020/04/the-bites-are-quick-and-bad.html?utm_source=digg |url-status=live }}

Quibi commissioned significant news programming in addition to its entertainment line-up, but it found the news shows attracted minimal interest.

In July 2020, Quibi was nominated for 10 Emmy Awards across three categories: Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, and Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/how-quibi-overcame-a-rocky-start-to-dominate-emmy-nominations-in-short-form-categories/|title=How Quibi Overcame a Rocky Start to Dominate Emmy Nominations in Short-Form Categories|author=Pond, Steve|date=August 20, 2020|website=The Wrap|access-date=September 21, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920141501/https://www.thewrap.com/how-quibi-overcame-a-rocky-start-to-dominate-emmy-nominations-in-short-form-categories/|url-status=live}} Its series, #FreeRayshawn, won two Emmy Awards on September 20, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/freerayshawn|title=#FreeRayshawn Awards & Nominations|date=September 20, 2020|website=Emmys.com|access-date=September 21, 2020|archive-date=October 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014135413/https://www.emmys.com/shows/freerayshawn|url-status=live}}

Reed Duchscher, former manager of YouTuber MrBeast, said his company Night Media had attempted to bring MrBeast's content to the platform, but Quibi rejected the proposal.{{Cite web|last=Pierce|first=Tanner|date=2020-10-22|title=Mr Beast was turned down by Quibi before app went bust|url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mr-beast-was-turned-down-by-quibi-before-app-went-bust-1437636/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022200046/https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mr-beast-was-turned-down-by-quibi-before-app-went-bust-1437636/|archive-date=2020-10-22|access-date=2020-10-22|website=Dexerto|language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Gahan |first=Brendan |date=Oct 22, 2020 |orig-date=Originally published Jun 26, 2020 |title=What Can Marketers Learn From Quibi's Failure? |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/what-can-marketers-learn-from-quibis-failure/352341 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926102545/https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/what-can-marketers-learn-from-quibis-failure/352341 |archive-date=2023-09-26 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Robbins |first=Blake |date=21 Sep 2020 |title=I still can't believe @Quibi turned down trying to do a deal with @MrBeastYT. (@reedjd_ is MrBeast's manager) |url=https://twitter.com/blakeir/status/1308140316990545921 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921202629/https://twitter.com/blakeir/status/1308140316990545921 |archive-date=2020-09-21 |website=Twitter}}

Acknowledged in a reply by MrBeast: {{Cite web |last=MrBeast |date=21 Sep 2020 |title=If they would have gave me a few million bucks I easily could have broken the internet a few times lol |url=https://twitter.com/MrBeastYT/status/1308147323017531393 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921205347/https://twitter.com/MrBeastYT/status/1308147323017531393 |archive-date=2020-09-21 |website=Twitter}}{{Unreliable source?|date=January 2024|reason=WP:RPN says that Dexerto (a gossip website which lacks a positive reputation for accuracy and fact checking), Entrepreneur (especially "contributor" pieces such as this one), and Twitter have questionable reliability.}} Additionally, Rad Sechrist, creator of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, said that he and his production team talked to Quibi, but that they passed on the series.{{cite tweet |last1=Sechrist |first1=Rad |user=radsechrist |number=1319375123195981825 |date=October 22, 2020 |title=We even talked to Quibi and they passed. |website=Twitter |access-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022210557/https://twitter.com/radsechrist/status/1319375123195981825 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{unreliable source?|date=July 2021|reason=A tweet does not show encyclopedic significance.}}

Reactions to Quibi were mixed. While most of the service's original programming received positive reviews, the service itself was criticized for its paid, mobile-only focus that limited its accessibility and reach compared to established, free services, such as YouTube and TikTok.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/06/15/why-jeffrey-katzenberg-and-meg-whitman-quibi-was-always-doomed-to-fail/?sh=62f00edf745e|title=Quibi: The Fatal Miscalculation That Doomed Katzenberg And Whitman's Streamer|date=15 June 2020|website=Forbes|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716130221/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/06/15/why-jeffrey-katzenberg-and-meg-whitman-quibi-was-always-doomed-to-fail/?sh=62f00edf745e|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/oct/23/why-quibi-is-a-cautionary-tale-shortform-netflix|title=They built it, but people did not come: the cautionary tale of Quibi|website=The Guardian|date=23 October 2020|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118222621/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/oct/23/why-quibi-is-a-cautionary-tale-shortform-netflix|url-status=live}} In a November 2020 article for The Wall Street Journal, other reasons suggested for the service's shutdown include a misjudgment on which programming and technology features would appeal to young consumers, and a high spend on advertising. The platform's flawed concepts and rapid failure inspired widespread mockery (for example, an extended gag referencing its downfall in the pilot episode of the sitcom Royal Crackers).

Quibi filed a lawsuit against interactive video developer Eko on March 9, 2020{{cite web |last1=Yasiejko |first1=Christopher |title=Quibi Sues to Block Patent-Infringement Suits Over 'Turnstyle' |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-09/quibi-sues-to-block-patent-infringement-suits-over-turnstyle |website=Bloomberg News |access-date=March 12, 2020 |date=March 9, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327175032/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-09/quibi-sues-to-block-patent-infringement-suits-over-turnstyle |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Alexander |first1=Julia |title=Quibi is already locked in a legal battle over its rotating video tech |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/11/21173981/quibi-eko-lawsuit-turnstyle-technology-jeffrey-katzenberg-streaming-interactive |website=The Verge |access-date=March 12, 2020 |date=March 11, 2020 |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312080033/https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/11/21173981/quibi-eko-lawsuit-turnstyle-technology-jeffrey-katzenberg-streaming-interactive |url-status=live }} seeking a declaration that Quibi did not infringe on Eko's patented technology, as well as an order that Eko withdraw a complaint filed with Apple's App Store and unspecified monetary damages.{{cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |last2=Patten |first2=Dominic |title=Quibi Fighting With Eko Over "Turnstyle" Tech Ahead Of Mobile Site's April Launch |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/quibi-eko-legal-fight-turnstyle-technology-patent-1202877967 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=March 12, 2020 |language=en |date=March 9, 2020 |archive-date=March 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310220338/https://deadline.com/2020/03/quibi-eko-legal-fight-turnstyle-technology-patent-1202877967/ |url-status=dead }} Quibi pre-emptively filed its lawsuit, Quibi Holdings, LLC v. Interlude US, Inc. (d/b/a Eko),{{cite web |title=Complaint, Quibi Holdings, LLC v. Interlude US, Inc. (2:20-cv-02250) |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.775558/gov.uscourts.cacd.775558.1.0.pdf |publisher=Court Listener |access-date=May 27, 2020 |date=March 9, 2020 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308214258/https://storage.courtlistener.com:443/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.775558/gov.uscourts.cacd.775558.1.0.pdf |url-status=live }} in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Eko filed its own separate but related countersuit, JBF Interlude 2009 Ltd – Israel v. Quibi Holdings, LLC,{{cite web |title=JBF Interlude 2009 Ltd - Israel v. Quibi Holdings, LLC (2:20-cv-02299) |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16951729/jbf-interlude-2009-ltd-israel-v-quibi-holdings-llc/ |publisher=Court Listener |access-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716161259/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16951729/jbf-interlude-2009-ltd-israel-v-quibi-holdings-llc/ |url-status=live }} a day later, alleging that Quibi stole proprietary technology after Eko demonstrated it to Quibi's employees, including Katzenberg.{{cite web |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Quibi Sued by Eko for Patent Infringement, Theft of Trade Secrets |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/quibi-sued-for-patent-infringement-theft-of-trade-secrets-by-eko-1203529312/ |publisher=Variety |access-date=May 27, 2020 |date=March 10, 2020 |archive-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526193938/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/quibi-sued-for-patent-infringement-theft-of-trade-secrets-by-eko-1203529312/ |url-status=live }}

On May 3, 2020, Elliott Management announced that it would fund Eko's lawsuit in exchange for equity in the company.{{cite web |last1=Goldsmith |first1=Jill |title=Stakes Jump In Quibi Legal Fight As Ellliott Management Finances Eko Lawuit Against Jeffrey Katzenberg-Founded Streamer – Report |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/stakes-jump-in-quibi-legal-fight-as-ellliott-management-finances-eko-lawuit-against-jeffrey-katzenberg-founded-streamer-report-1202924663/ |website=Deadline |access-date=May 3, 2020 |language=en |date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=May 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504024240/https://deadline.com/2020/05/stakes-jump-in-quibi-legal-fight-as-ellliott-management-finances-eko-lawuit-against-jeffrey-katzenberg-founded-streamer-report-1202924663/ |url-status=live }}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20210108152105/https://quibi.com/}} (archived)

{{The Roku Channel}}

{{VOD services}}

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