SMALL SCREEN, BIG HOPES

Quibi lines up Hollywood heavyweights for launch

Quibi stands for “quick bites” and Jeffrey Katzenberg’s $2 billion gamble on a short-form mobile video platform launched Monday amid the national COVID-19 shutdown.

Quibi shows — all 10 minutes or less — are available only on your smartphone. What’s most remarkable is that Katzenberg, 69, has engaged every major Hollywood studio in the creation of new shows with big names like Steven Spielberg, Idris Elba and Jennifer Lopez.

Why is Katzenberg so passionate for this smallscreen format? “I’ve been a storyteller my whole life,” the legendary executive said. “It’s 45 years telling stories in movies and television and animation, and I feel like this is the next big frontier, this is the next place of opportunity as a storyteller.

“I’ve gone out and invited all the best talent in Hollywood to join me. Given the new technology we have incredible resources to make beautiful content in a way you’ve never seen before. But this time it’s for the telephone.”

It’s safe to say no one else could have gotten every studio to jump aboard, including Warner Bros. and Disney. How did he do it?

“Everybody sees this as a great growth opportunity for industry. If we’re right, it becomes the next great generation of storytelling and filmmaking.

“We’re all in this together — and if it works, it’s a win for everybody. That’s why we’re very lucky to have all the studios and production companies as partners in Quibi.”

As for what the nation’s viral lockdown means, “As always,” he said, “adversity is the mother of invention. We’ve never faced adversity like this.

“Meg Whitman, my partner, and I, made a pivotal decision and decided to go forward with the launch. The reason we did that was from the beginning Quibi was to inform, entertain and inspire. I think we have delivered something which does all those things.

“So in a moment in time when people are as stressed and distressed as you could possibly be, Quibi maybe offers a little bit of escape, a little bit of comedy, a little bit of entertainment and maybe lift people’s spirit a little bit.

“We made a decision to just give it away free for the next 90 days. So no matter where you are you can go download this for free (on Apple or Google Play) and enjoy it.”

Subscription rates are $5 a month or $8 minus ads, along with a 90-day free trial.

LOTS TO SEE: This composite released by Quibi shows images from programs offered on the new service, from left, Anna Kendrick from ‘Dummy,’ Sophie Turner, who stars in ‘Survive,’ Liam Hemsworth, who stars in ‘Most Dangerous Game,’ Chrissy Teigen in ‘Chrissy’s Court’ and Chance the Rapper in ‘Punk’d.’

POLICE BEAT: Laurence Fishburne, left, and Stephan James appear in the crime drama ‘#FreeRayShawn.’

AP QUICK HITS: Jeffrey Katzenberg hopes Quibi offers people a little bit of escape in difficult times.

INTO THE WILD: Sophie Turner, left, and Corey Hawkins struggle to stay alive after a plane crash in ‘Survive.’