Summary (tl;dr)

Tubi is experiencing a significant surge in popularity, driven by record user growth and a strategic expansion of its free, ad-supported content across both entertainment and sports, including new original programming and major sports streaming deals.

Essential Background

Tubi, a free ad-supported video-on-demand (FAST) service owned by Fox Corporation, was founded in 2014 and acquired by Fox in 2020. Since then, it has steadily increased its content library and user base by offering a no-cost alternative to subscription-based streaming services, relying on ad revenue. The platform's strategy focuses on providing a diverse range of movies, TV shows, and live channels to cater to various "fandoms" without requiring a subscription.

The Full Story

Tubi is currently trending due to its continued impressive growth and significant content announcements for September 2026, solidifying its position as a major player in the streaming landscape. The platform recently announced a milestone of 110 million monthly active users, marking a 14% year-over-year increase, alongside a record quarter for revenue, up 35% year-over-year.

In terms of new content, September 2026 sees the launch of several Tubi Originals, including the sports-focused docuseries "Arena Access with Mariah Rose" (September 3), the thriller "The Delivery Girl" (September 11), and the sports drama "Get Back Up" (September 25). Furthermore, Tubi has made substantial strides in expanding its sports offerings, most notably with a new deal on September 17, 2026, to stream Major League Wrestling's (MLW) weekly series "MLW FUSION" for free in the U.S., adding to its existing wrestling content from WWE and AEW. This builds on earlier partnerships, such as the April 2024 agreement with DAZN, which brought dedicated FAST channels like DAZN's Women's Football (featuring UEFA Women's Champions League) and DAZN Ringside (MMA and boxing) to the U.S. and Canada. Tubi also served as a key streaming destination for the FIFA World Cup 2026, launching a dedicated FOX Hub in May 2026 that provided free access to select live matches and related programming. The platform now boasts 27 dedicated sports channels, covering a wide array of professional and collegiate sports.

Why It Matters

The surge in Tubi's viewership and revenue, coupled with its aggressive content acquisition and original programming strategy, demonstrates the increasing viability and appeal of the free, ad-supported streaming model. In an era of rising subscription costs and content fragmentation across numerous paid services, Tubi offers consumers a compelling alternative by providing a vast library of entertainment and live sports without a price tag. This expansion not only draws in new users but also intensifies competition in the streaming market, potentially influencing other platforms to consider ad-supported tiers. The focus on diverse sports content, particularly wrestling and women's football, highlights Tubi's strategy to cater to passionate niche audiences and capture a broader demographic, reinforcing its commitment to "the power of free streaming".

Geographic Location

• San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, United States (Tubi Global Brand Campaign launch, Tubi Headquarters)
• New York City, New York, United States (Announcement of Tubi user growth and revenue records)
• Mexico City, Mexico (FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony)
• Toronto, Ontario, Canada (FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony)
• Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony)
• London, England, United Kingdom (Tubi content expansion announcements for UK)