• by Wayne Friedman , July 16, 2019

Quibi, the short-form TV-content mobile-first platform, has made a deal with NBC News to provide daily news programming targeted to millennials.

Quibi says NBC News is the first major producer for "Daily Essentials," its news and information programming.

NBC News’ morning and evening news shows for Quibi will each be under six minutes, seven days a week, and created only for mobile platforms.

Quibi has made other entertainment series deals, including three new series: a sci-fi drama starring Don Cheadle, a stunt driving show from Idris Elba and a beauty series produced by and starring Tyra Banks.

Each entertainment episode on the platform is intended to be no longer than 8-12 minutes in duration.

Recently, Quibi said it sold $100 million in upfront ad inventory ahead of its April 2020 debut, promising marketers an uncluttered ad environment to display their messaging.

Advertisers include Walmart, PepsiCo., Anheuser-Busch, Progressive and Procter & Gamble, per CNBC.

Meg Whitman, CEO of Quibi, said she expects 75% of Quibi’s audience to buy the $4.99-per-month ad-supported version of the service, with the remainder buying the $7.99-per-month ad-free deal.

Quibi has amassed a large group of initial investors, such has Walt Disney and Viacom, totaling $1 billion. Jeffrey Katzenberg, founder-chairman of the board of Quibi, was a former Disney senior executive.