iWorld
US AVOD streamer Tubi racks up scorching growth pace
MUMBAI: To be or not to be?
Well, Tubi is. And it is growing stronger.
The American AVOD streaming video service – which is available in Canada and Australia and is set to launch in Mexico and the UK in 2020 – has reported jaw-dropping signups and consumption numbers for 2019. The company- headed by Farhad Massoudi – announced monthly active users of 25 million with total viewing or watch time (TVT or TWT) totting up to 163 million hours for the month of December 2019 alone. TVT overall exploded 160 per cent year over year (YOY), while for Canada and Australia it skyrocketed 357 per cent.
Recently, Tubi announced a partnership with one of the largest broadcasters in Mexico – TV Azteca – to provide Spanish language content, which includes their most popular series and advertising sales support. Tubi also announced a global deal with one of the world’s largest manufacturers of TVs – Hisense – to prominently include Tubi as part of their Vidaa platform.
In 2019, Tubi ratcheted up its headcount to over 229 full-time employees, an increase of 78 per cent versus 2018. The company will rapidly add more employees in the coming year as Tubi continues its expansion both domestically and internationally. It is all geared up to spend big dollars to acquire content beyond its 20,000 movies and TV series; the budget is expected to cross nine figures in 2020.
“Our growth over the last year is a clear testament to the success of our focused strategy in a now-cluttered marketplace,” said Tubi CEO Farhad Massoudi. “We’re excited people globally have embraced Tubi as a complement to subscription video and aim to deliver an even larger library of premium content in 2020.”
https://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/over-the-top-services/most-of-the-svod-businesses-are-not-going-to-be-viable-tubis-farhad-massoudi-200123
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
