It’s pretty obvious that we live in a world with limited attention spans that actually seem to be shrinking year after year. We devoured Vine Videos back in 2013 and now we are obsessed with TikTok, short second videos that are discussed and mimicked throughout our culture. The next Media Platform takeover that we should prepare for, comes from Quibi. No this is not a made-up word.
Quibi’s first commercial aired during the Super Bowl LIV where it showcased Chance the Rapper advocating for the new service that was to come in 2020. It wasn’t exactly clear what Quibi was from the commercial, but new features have been launching in the past few weeks showcasing famous celebrities that will be able to be viewed on the platform.
The Super Bowl’s commercial starred bank robbers looking for their getaway driver who was noticeably missing from the scene. After calling for the driver’s location, he responded saying that he will be there “In A Quibi….Less than 10 Minutes.” Which is essentially what Quibi Is.
Quibi Super Bowl Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auWUTVU6I0c
Quibi is a new streaming service made specifically for viewing on mobile devices that debuts 10-minute or less episodes made to consume on the go. The key difference here is that the Videos and Shorts are made for mobile viewing, meaning no matter which way you turn your phone, you can see the entire scene.
Their slogan “Quick Bites, Big Stories: is so obviously targeting young Millennials and older Gen-Z-ers that are constantly looking to catch up on content in between classes, commuting or just on-the-go. The studio was founded in 2018 by a former Disney Executive, Jeffrey Katzenberg and is set to launch its first series and episodes on April 6, 2020.
While the format is similar to TikTok and other short digestible videos, the series are anything but documented. The series range from comedic with Chance the Rapper’s “Punk’d” Revival to dark drama with Sophie Turner’s “Survival” centering around a woman who is stranded in the arctic wilderness after a devastating plane crash. (Side Point: Talk about a career trajectory change from Turner who literally gets off Game of Thrones and bombs at the box office with “Dark Phoenix” and then turns to social media platform streaming service Quibi with a new drama targeting Gen Z-ers….not exactly what I had in mind for a career from Sophie, but I am still rooting for her.)
Also, these two shows couldn’t be more opposite in terms of content. The one thing that these series will have in common, their platform and episodes. Each episode will last ten minutes long and the series will be released days at a time. The Cost for the service will be $5/Month with Ads or just $8/Month Free from Ads.
So what is coming down from Quibi in the next few months? Don’t worry, I got you covered.
Here’s what to expect from Quibi:
1. Punk'd
Plot: Re-Boot from the beloved Mid-2000's MTV, "Punk'd" Re-Make will star Chance the Rapper as the TV's host
Cast: Chance The Rapper
2. Survive
Plot: Jane (Sophie Turner) has to fight for her life after a devastating plane crash leaves her stranded in the arctic wilderness
Cast: Sophie Turner, Corey Hawkins
3. The Most Dangerous Game
Plot: Desperate to care for his pregnant wife when he realizes that he is terminally ill, Dodge (Hemsworth) agrees to participate in a deadly game where he discovers he is not the hunter, but the prey.
Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Christoph Waltz,
4. Chrissy's Court
Plot: Chrissy Teigen takes over the role that Judge Judy has come to hold for the past 25-years. The series will show Teigen residing over cases with real people. Say hello to our new favorite reality TV that is likely to generate meme after meme.
Cast: Chrissy Teigen
5. The Fugitive
Plot: You know "The Fugitive" with Harrison Ford that came out over 20 years ago...yeah thats pretty much it, just re-made. The series will star Boyd Holbrook ("Logan") as Ford's character that is an innocent man on the run from obsessed cop that is tracking his every move, Kiefer Sutherland. In the original film, the cop was played impeccably by Tommy Lee Jones. Do yourself a favor and please watch the 1993 masterpiece before ingesting this spinoff.
Starring: Boy Holbrook, Kiefer Sutherland, Brian Geraghty
6. Flipped
Plot: Chronically underemployed couple Jann and Cricket Melfi who are self-proclaimed home renovation "experts," more than confident they are television's next great home design celebrity duo but get caught up in drug smuggling when they find cash in their renovated home.
Cast: Will Forte, Kaitlin Olson, Andy Garcia
7. Thanks A Million
Plot: Reality TV Show that follows Kristen Bell, JLo and others paying it forward to the people who have changed their lives
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Bell, Tracy Morgan
And there are plenty more series on the way, the most interesting take away is that Quibi has invested in the talents of some pretty high-profile actors and actresses to launch their service. And to be honest, we all need to pay attention. Quibi is on its way to transform the way that we consume media that will most likely impact our viewing patterns for years to come.
And that's the sitch.
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