Fox’s Tubi has signed an exclusive content deal with Vice Media Group for eight new Tubi Original documentaries.
The first, The cult of Elon, about Tesla founder and controversial Twitter owner Elon Musk, debuting April 24 on the free, ad-supported streaming platform. The second documentary Vigilante Inc.a look at the rise of online vigilance, launches on May 6 on the FAST channel.
The exclusive content deal also sees documentaries launching on Tubi this year on other hot-button topics such as chatbot technology, US mass shootings and ticket scalping. The exclusive content deal comes as ad-based platforms like Paramount’s Pluto TV, Fox’s Tubi, Amazon’s Freevee and the Roku Channel look to expand against dominant competition from Netflix and Disney+.
The FAST channels are betting on their library content and new originals will be the next big thing in online video and allow them to capture an increasing share of the advertising dollars shifting to streaming from traditional linear TV platforms.
“These original documentaries will raise the curtain and spark conversation about stories that align with today’s cultural zeitgeist, including ticket scalping, chatbots and the rise of online vigilance,” said Adam Lewinson, Chief Content Officer of Tubi, about expanding the range of originals on its platform. topics including true crime and pop culture.
Beverly Chase, VP of current programming at Vice News, will oversee the collaboration with Tubi. And Vice Content Distribution retains worldwide rights to Tubi’s documentary series for exploitation outside the US market.
