The Return of Quibi!

Well not quite. The multi-billion dollar collapse was final in nature. Quibi is dead despite Katzenberg’s best efforts. However, the defunct platform’s shows have been resurrected thanks to Roku. And yes, you read that correctly. I am in fact referring to that smart tv that came onto the market a while back and you bought for your college dorm or new apartment.

Roku has apparently gotten into the content game. Come May 20, they will be offering Roku Originals on the Roku Channel. “What are these Roku Originals?”, you might be asking. Well they are 30 shows that came from Quibi. They have apparently been repurposed for the Roku Channel as opposed to phone consumption. In any case, the shows many thought were dead for good will get a second chance. The talent and creators involved will probably be happy knowing their content has a new home. As for me, I think I’m most interested in the fact that Roku is producing content, or should I say offering original content.

It seems as though everyone is looking to offer original content these days. Studios are all seeking homes for their original content. While some create their own platforms, such as Paramount with Paramount+ or Warner Bros with HBO Max, others are simply outsourcing, like Sony striking a deal with Netflix to distribute all their content. Social media companies are getting into the mix now as well. Facebook, Snap, and Youtube are all looking to offer original content for people to consume and bring traffic to their apps/sites. It’s truly incredible. Now we even have the TV’s themselves looking to offer original content to incentivize purchases and subscriptions.

Roku used to simply offer access to other apps on its interface, but now, like everyone else, they want into the original content game. It’s an interesting development that honestly makes me wish I still had my Roku. Alas, I guess the Quibi shows will have to remain unseen for yours truly.