Roku announced today that it has acquired global content distribution rights for Quibi content. The Roku Channel will become the exclusive streaming home to over 75 shows and documentaries created for the now defunct short form streaming service.
With a home on The Roku Channel, the former Quibi content will be free in 2021 for all Roku users. The content lineup includes scripted series, alternative and reality programming and documentaries featuring stars such as Idris Elba, Kevin Hart, Liam Hemsworth, Anna Kendrick, Nicole Richie, Chrissy Teigen, and Lena Waithe. Along with the content that originally streamed on Quibi, there are over a dozen titles that never made it to the platform which will now be debuting on The Roku Channel.
“The Roku Channel is one of the largest and fastest growing channels on our platform today and we are consistently expanding the breadth and quality of our free, ad-supported content for our users,” said Rob Holmes, Vice President of Programming at Roku. “Today’s announcement marks a rare opportunity to acquire compelling new original programming that features some of the biggest names in entertainment. We’re excited to make this content available for free to our users in The Roku Channel through an ad-supported model. We are also thrilled to welcome the incredible studios and talented individuals who brought these stories to life and showcase them to our tens of millions of viewers.”
“The most creative and imaginative minds in Hollywood created groundbreaking content for Quibi that exceeded our expectations,” said Quibi Founder Jeffrey Katzenberg. “We are thrilled that these stories, from the surreal to the sublime, have found a new home on The Roku Channel.”
Roku acquired Quibi Holdings, LLC, the company that owned Quibi’s content distribution rights, after Quibi restructured. Financial terms were not disclosed.