Fox Corp (NASDAQ:FOXA) will introduce a free streaming service, Tubi, in the UK to rival Netflix and Disney, marking its first entry into Britain's ad-supported digital TV market, reports the Financial Times.
Tubi, which will offer over 20,000 movies and TV episodes, including titles like "Billy Elliot" and "Pacific Rim," will launch in the coming weeks, the paper said.
The service will feature content from major US entertainment companies such as Disney, NBCUniversal, and Sony Pictures, as well as original productions and shows from India and Nigeria, the FT revealed.
The launch follows the closure of Murdoch's TalkTV's linear operations in favour of a digital-only platform.
Fox acquired Tubi for $440 million in 2020, making it a rapidly growing streamer in the US.
Unlike subscription-based rivals, Tubi is ad-funded and requires no registration. CEO Anjali Sud emphasized Tubi's appeal to viewers who avoid pay TV, noting its nearly 80 million monthly active users and its strong growth as competitors increase prices and reduce content investment.
Despite the competitive UK market, including free public broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4, Sud expressed confidence in Tubi's unique, diverse offerings and future potential to include Fox's news and sports programming.