Tubi, AVOD’s Most Eligible M&A Target, Acquires ‘The Bachelor’

Remaining in the public eye, and utilizing a recently established $25 million credit line earmarked for program acquisition, Tubi has announced the licensing of reality series “The Bachelor” for its ad-supported streaming platform.

The deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution will not only include “select” early seasons of the hit ABC reality show, but also spinoff series “The Bachelorette.”

“‘Bachelor’ Nation will soon get to see how it all started when both debut seasons launch on Tubi,” said Adam Lewinson, chief content officer for Tubi, in a statement. “This massive franchise strengthens our larger content partnership with Warner Bros. and marks the first of many big reality series we’re bringing to the service.”

Related: Tubi Takes $25M Loan, Prepares to Spend More Than $100M on Content

Tubi was in M&A talks with Viacom, shortly before the media giant paid $340 million to buy another AVOD platform, Pluto TV.

Shortly after that January Viacom announcement, Tubi touted the establishment of a $25 million loan, earmarked as part of a "nine-figure initiative" to grow its programming library.

Tubi announced a content licensing deal for a bunch of NBCUniversal archival shows two weeks ago. And it’s likely to keep on trickling out these series licensing announcements, as Tubi seeks to keep its name "out there" amid a wave of acquisition rumors for AVOD assets.

For example, Sinclair Broadcast Group is rumored to be shopping for an AVOD platform, with its name tied to Xumo in recent weeks. 

Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!