Quibi is the latest addition to the Internet's wide offering of video-streaming platforms. But unlike the Netflixes and Hulus in the game, Quibi's original content consists entirely of episodes that each run for 10 minutes or less. (Hence the app's name, a portmanteau of the words quick bites.)
Despite the brief episodes, Quibi's programming is quite ambitious. It's set to release 175 new shows within its first year, ranging from reality series to movie-like sagas, headlined by big names like Jennifer Lopez and Chrissy Teigen. Below, read up on what to know about the app, which launched today, before diving in.
How Much It Costs
Though downloading the app is free, a subscription to Quibi costs $5 a month with ads and $8 a month without ads. However, if you sign up online at quibi.com before April 30, you get a 90-day free trial.
Where to Download and Watch
Right now, the app is available only on smartphones on the Apple App Store and Google Play. It is not available on desktop, as the shows are meant to be watched on your mobile device.
Download Quibi on the App Store
Shows You Can Watch Now
Quibi's fare falls into the categories of Movies in Chapters, or high-production narratives split into episodes; Unscripted and Docs, which are reality shows, variety game shows, documentaries, and more; and Daily Essentials, or news. The app will release more than 25 new episodes every day. Here's a brief taste of what Quibi has to offer.
Survive—a, well, survival drama starring Sophie Turner and Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton).
Flipped—Will Forte and Kaitlin Olson are a couple whose plan to flip houses goes comedically awry.
When the Streetlights Go On—Directed by Stranger Things' Rebecca Thomas, this one stars Queen Latifah as a detective trying to solve a small-town murder in 1995.
Nikki Fre$h—Nicole Richie embraces her alter ego as a rapper who drops verses about plants, animals, and produce.
Dishmantled—a cooking show hosted by Titus Burgess during which contestants re-create dishes that are shot into their faces.
Fierce Queens—Reese Witherspoon narrates a nature documentary series about female animals in the wild.
Singled Out—by Keke Palmer and Joel Kim Booster host the reboot of the famous MTV dating show.
Thanks a Million—Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Nick Jonas, and Kristen Bell give $100,000 to a person, who then has to pay it forward by giving half away to another person, and so on.
Punk'd—Chance the Rapper hosts the revival of the famed 2000s MTV prank show, bringing cringeworthy yet hilarious celebrity hijinks.
Chrissy's Court—Chrissy Teigen solves real people's conflicts in a judge's getup—robe, gavel and all.
More new shows are coming later this month, too, like Cup of Joe, a travel series starring Joe Jonas; Elba vs. Block, an extreme car competition between Idris Elba and professional driver Ken Block; and Dummy, a comedy starring Anna Kendrick. So keep an eye out.
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now.
