Tubi Launches New “Scenes” Feature to Boost User Engagement
Tubi, the ad-supported streaming service owned by Fox, has introduced a new feature called “Scenes” that sets it apart from competitors like Pluto TV and the Roku Channel. This feature also positions Tubi in closer competition with short-form video-sharing platforms such as Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
The “Scenes” feature allows viewers to explore short clips from over 250,000 popular TV shows and movies, including titles like “Django Unchained,” “Drumline,” “I Am Legend,” and “Jumanji.” The goal is to enhance user engagement and make content more discoverable.
While Scenes was initially spotted by users in August, it is now rolling out to all Tubi users. The feature is accessible through Tubi’s mobile app on both iOS and Android devices.
Tubi’s foray into short-form video content aims to attract younger audiences with evolving viewing habits in the streaming landscape. Unlike TikTok, which is experimenting with minute-long TV-style shows, Tubi is focusing on using short clips from its library to help users discover content and encourage them to watch full episodes.
According to Tubi’s chief product and technology officer, Mike Bidgoli, the Scenes feature is tailored to mobile viewers who are often on-the-go and have limited time for entertainment. The feature is designed to provide a quick shot of entertainment for users in between their daily activities.
The Scenes tab is prominently placed in the menu bar at the bottom of the screen, allowing users to swipe through a vertical feed of trailer-style videos lasting between 60 and 90 seconds. Users can interact with the videos by liking, saving, or watching them directly. The machine learning engine behind Scenes personalizes recommendations based on user interactions.
While Scenes is currently available exclusively on mobile, users can also cast Scenes on their TVs using supported devices like Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku.
Looking ahead, Tubi is considering future iterations of Scenes, such as integrating the experience into the home grid and enabling users to share clips on social media. However, the platform currently does not have plans to add a comment function to maintain a positive online environment.
In the past, Tubi has experimented with features like Rabbit AI-powered search tools to enhance user experience. Moving forward, Tubi aims to focus on refining its mobile app experiences in the next six months to a year.
