Quibi Isn’t Free for All T-Mobile Customers
Signing up for Quibi could cost nothing at all. T-Mobile signed an agreement with the upcoming streaming service that’ll offer customers unlimited access to a library of original programming. It’s not a free-for-all promotion, however.
Customers need more than one line on their account, Protocol reports. Quibi and T-Mobile didn’t issue a formal statement, but sources indicate the free subscription acts as an exclusive feature for T-Mobile’s customers paying for multiple lines of postpaid service. Everyone else will need to pay $4.99 per month, but that’ll include pre-roll advertisements. The ad-free tier of Quibi costs $7.99 per month.
In the United States, carriers often utilize similar partnerships. T-Mobile continues offering Netflix to its multi-line customers, and Verizon recently attached Disney+ and Stadia to some plans. Both sides gain and retain customers, which then allows them to try selling other add-on packages that generate more revenue. Verizon’s agreement with The Walt Disney Company contributed around 20 percent of the 26.5 million Disney+ subscribers recorded in February, according to outgoing CEO Bob Iger. Quibi hopes for a similar boost.
Don’t expect a Netflix-like platform, though. Quibi relies on episodes that run for 10 minutes or less. It’ll also limit users to iOS and Android apps. Without question, Quibi is targeting consumers who are locked into their smartphones and want quick clips rather than multi-hour commitments to take in engaging content.
Some of the original programming to debut on Quibi includes Chrissy’s Court with Chrissy Teigen, a Punk’d revival, CBS News’ 60 in 6, and Spielberg’s After Dark.
Quibi arrives in the United States and select countries on Monday, April 6. It appears set with a large number of series, but Quibi also has a pipeline of content prepared to roll out over the next few months. So don’t worry about a content shortage anytime soon. It might just be worth signing up for whether free or not, and everyone can grab a 90-day free trial as soon as Quibi launches.
