Quibi Reaches 300,000 Downloads on Launch Day, Falling Short of Disney+
Quibi installs 300,000 users on its first day, a figure that represents just 7.5% of Disney+'s record-breaking launch. The mobile streaming platform faces unique challenges as its on-the-go format collides with global stay-at-home orders.
Mobile analytics firm Sensor Tower reports that Quibi installs 300,000 users across Apple and Android devices on its launch day. This initial uptake represents only 7.5% of the 4 million downloads that Disney+ achieves on its premiere last November. The new streaming service currently ranks as the No. 4 free app on the US Apple App Store and No. 81 on Google Play.
Quibi presents a unique format that delivers short-form, celebrity-driven content designed specifically for mobile viewing on the go. However, the platform launches during widespread shelter-in-place orders, meaning its target audience stays home rather than commuting or traveling. This timing creates a strange situation for a service built entirely around out-of-home entertainment.
Founder Jeffrey Katzenberg considers delaying the premiere due to the ongoing pandemic but ultimately decides to move forward. To encourage sign-ups during this difficult period, Quibi offers a 90-day free trial instead of its standard plan. Despite the lower-than-expected first-day numbers, analysts note that it remains early days for the unconventional startup.