Free Netflix rival with 20,000 film and TV shows launches in the UK today

A direct rival to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ has been launched in the United Kingdom. And it's absolutely free to use with no fees when signing up.

Millions of Brits spend their hard-earned money every month subscribing to Netflix and its industry rivals for the latest TV shows and films, as well as the classics (who hasn't re-watched The Office (US) at this stage?).

Now, a new streaming service has been launched that could directly rival the existing platforms, with one of its major selling points being it is free to use.

What is Tubi?

Tubi has been launched in the UK by Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Corporation. You might also know Murdoch's name due to the Australian owning The Sun and The Times newspapers.

Over in the US, Tubi claims to have almost 80 million active users every month. Given the country's population is 333 million, that's almost one quarter of all residents.

Tubi is free as it is an ad-supported streaming service, making it a direct rival to the likes of ITVX and Channel 4.

What can you watch on Tubi in the UK?

It has today (2 July) launched in the UK with more than 20,000 movies and TV episodes on-demand, including content from Disney, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal and Sony Pictures Entertainment, as well as a tonne of Tubi Originals.

The library will include Hollywood films and UK TV series, as well as content from India’s Bollywood and Nigeria’s Nollywood.

The Tubi homescreen (Tubi)

The Twilight films, starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, horror film Candyman and Tubi original reality series House Of Heat are among the current content available to watch.

Hollywood films currently available include Gerard Butler blockbuster Olympus Has Fallen, Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore and horror comedy Happy Death Day.

You can also watch UK TV shows such as Great British Menu, The Secret History Of The British Garden, Paul Hollywood’s Pies & Puds and Mary Berry’s Foolproof Cooking.

Netflix has a new rival (Getty Stock Images)

Anjali Sud, chief executive officer of the streaming service, said: “Tubi has spent the last decade honing our approach to vast, free and fun streaming in North America, and we feel that now is the perfect time to bring that recipe to UK audiences.

“We are launching with one of the largest and most diverse content libraries in the UK, designed to indulge viewers in everything from blockbusters to original stories to hidden gems.

“Most importantly, we’re committed to listening to what resonates with UK fans, and bringing them more and more of what they love.”

There's thousands of shows and films to watch (Tubi)

David Salmon, managing director of international at Tubi, said: “At a time when traditional programming feels homogenous and when finding what to watch feels like a chore, Tubi has been effective at delivering delight beyond the monoculture with content that appeals to diverse and vibrant fandoms.

“We believe that we can build a brilliantly broad, culturally ambitious offering that puts UK audiences back at the centre, and makes it fun and easy to enjoy great entertainment from around the world.”