Tubi
A leading free ad-supported streaming service with a growing library of independent content
Overview
Tubi is one of the largest free ad-supported streaming platforms, offering thousands of movies and TV shows to viewers at no cost. The platform has grown rapidly and now reaches tens of millions of monthly active users across the United States and internationally.
Content owners can submit films and series for consideration through Tubi's content acquisition team or through approved aggregators. Accepted content is made available to Tubi's entire audience with ad breaks inserted automatically.
How It Works
Tubi's audience skews toward viewers who prefer free content alternatives to paid subscription services, making it an excellent platform for reaching casual viewers. The platform's recommendation algorithm helps surface niche content to interested audiences.
There is no cost to the content owner for distribution on Tubi. Revenue is generated through advertising, and content owners receive a share of the ad revenue based on viewership of their titles.
Who Uses It
Ideal for filmmakers who want maximum exposure and are comfortable with an ad-supported model. Having your film on Tubi puts it in front of a large audience that may not seek out independent content on other platforms.
Pricing & Plans
Distribution on Tubi is free for content owners with no upfront fees, annual charges, or submission costs. Revenue is generated entirely through advertising, with Tubi sharing a percentage of the ad revenue generated by viewership of your content. The specific revenue share percentage varies by deal and is typically negotiated between Tubi's content acquisition team and the content owner or their distribution partner. Most independent filmmakers access Tubi through approved aggregators like FilmHub, Distribber, or Gravitas Ventures rather than through direct deals, and the aggregator may take an additional percentage of the revenue. Ad revenue rates fluctuate based on advertising demand, seasonal patterns, and viewer demographics, making income somewhat unpredictable from month to month. Tubi does not charge viewers any subscription or per-view fees — the platform is entirely free for audiences — which means the ad revenue model is the sole income source for content owners distributing through the platform.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Tubi's massive and rapidly growing user base of tens of millions of monthly active viewers provides extraordinary potential reach for independent content, placing your film in front of a mainstream audience that may never actively seek out indie films on specialized platforms. The completely free viewing model removes all financial barriers for audiences, meaning viewers can discover and watch your film on impulse without making a purchase decision, dramatically increasing the potential for casual discovery and word-of-mouth sharing. Tubi's recommendation algorithm is increasingly sophisticated at surfacing niche and independent content to viewers who have demonstrated interest in similar genres, creating organic discovery opportunities that grow as the platform's data improves. The platform's rapid growth — Tubi has become one of the most-watched free streaming services in the US — means the potential audience and ad revenue opportunity is expanding, making it an increasingly valuable distribution channel. Having your film on Tubi alongside major studio titles provides a form of professional validation and platform credibility that strengthens your distribution resume when approaching other platforms, festivals, and industry contacts. Tubi's content library, while large, is still significantly smaller than Netflix or Amazon's, meaning individual titles have a better chance of being discovered through browsing and recommendations than on platforms with millions of titles.
What Could Be Better
The ad-supported revenue model generates significantly less per-viewer income than transactional platforms where viewers pay to rent or purchase content, meaning you need substantial viewership to generate meaningful revenue from a Tubi listing. Content owners have limited visibility into exactly how ad revenue is calculated and what share they receive, as the specific terms of Tubi's revenue-sharing model are not always transparent. The free, ad-supported viewing model means your film is interrupted by commercial breaks that can disrupt the viewing experience, particularly for narrative content that benefits from uninterrupted presentation. Tubi's content acquisition standards and preferences can be unpredictable, and not all submitted content is accepted — the platform maintains editorial discretion over what appears in its library. The indirect submission process through aggregators adds another intermediary between you and your revenue, with the aggregator taking their own percentage on top of Tubi's share, further reducing your per-view earnings. Tubi's audience, while large, tends to skew toward viewers seeking mainstream entertainment, and highly experimental or art-house content may not find a receptive audience on the platform despite being technically available.
Our Recommendation
Tubi is recommended as a standard component of any independent filmmaker's multi-platform distribution strategy, as the free listing cost and massive audience reach make it a no-risk, high-potential addition to your distribution mix. The platform is particularly valuable for genre films — horror, action, thriller, comedy, and science fiction — that align with the viewing preferences of Tubi's mainstream audience. Filmmakers who prioritize revenue per viewer should pair Tubi with transactional platforms like Vimeo On Demand or Amazon TVOD, using Tubi for reach and the paid platforms for higher-margin sales. If your film has strong commercial appeal and genre positioning, Tubi can generate meaningful ad revenue and significant viewership that builds your audience for future projects. Experimental or art-house filmmakers may find better reception on curated platforms like Reveel or IndieFlix where the audience specifically seeks independent content, though including Tubi in your distribution mix still costs nothing and occasionally surprises with unexpected viewership.
Pro Tips
Submit your content through an established aggregator like FilmHub for the easiest path to Tubi distribution, as direct deals require content owners to meet minimum library requirements that most individual filmmakers cannot satisfy independently. Create eye-catching key artwork and a compelling synopsis optimized for casual browsing, as Tubi's audience makes quick decisions about what to watch and your film's visual presentation in the platform's grid layout determines whether viewers click through to learn more. Ensure your film is properly categorized and tagged with accurate genre classifications, as Tubi's recommendation algorithm relies on metadata to surface content to the right audiences, and miscategorized films miss their target viewers entirely. Promote your Tubi listing through social media and your personal network, emphasizing that the film is available to watch for free — removing the price barrier from your call-to-action dramatically increases conversion compared to promoting paid content. Monitor your viewership data through your aggregator or Tubi dashboard to understand which audiences are watching your content, as these insights inform your marketing strategy for future projects and help you understand your actual viewer demographics versus your assumed target audience.
