Jeffrey Katzenberg‘s start-up mobile TV service Quibi is boosting its daily news programming.
Nearly two months after announcing a partnership with NBC News to develop mobile-only morning and evening news programming, Quibi, short for “quick bites,” has announced a similar deal with BBC Global News, which will produce daily international news programming for the service.
This announcement comes just days after the departure of Janice Min, the former Hollywood Reporter and Us Weekly editor who was tapped to lead content for Quibi’s daily news and infotainment programming vertical, Daily Essentials.
Quibi has a planned launch date of April 6, 2020. Shows will last 10 minutes and fewer, and the ad-supported version of the service will cost $5 per month. The ad-free version will cost $8 per month.
The Daily Essentials international news program will be produced at BBC Global News HQ in London. The program will be filmed five days a week, and each broadcast will be designed specifically for mobile and last five minutes long.
“Since the BBC began life as a start-up in 1922 we have been focused on two things: innovating to reach our audiences in new ways; and providing trustworthy news and entertainment of the highest quality,” BBC Global News chief Jim Egan said in a statement. “Technology is changing constantly, as is the world at large and we’re delighted to be working with an innovative new player like Quibi to bring young audiences a daily made-for-mobile global news update from our unparalleled network of international correspondents and experts.”
“BBC News is one of the most respected news brands around the globe, and in particular for millennials in America today,” added Jeffrey Katzenberg, founder and chairman of the board of Quibi. “We’re proud to partner with them to create a daily international news report for Quibi.”