Quibi: New mobile streaming service stars Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy Teigen, Reese Witherspoon

Bill Keveney, USA TODAY
·5 min read
Jennifer Lopez, left, produces and appears in 'Thanks a Million,' an inspirational, unscripted series that is part of Quibi's program lineup when the streaming service launches April 6.
Jennifer Lopez, left, produces and appears in 'Thanks a Million,' an inspirational, unscripted series that is part of Quibi's program lineup when the streaming service launches April 6.

How do you elbow your way into the increasingly crowded streaming TV field?

Quibi, hoping to establish itself in the world of Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ with a torrent of star-studded, bite-sized programming, announced Friday a slate of 50 shows that will be available when the app-based service launches on April 6.

The streaming service's programming features a wide range of stars, including Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy Teigen, Chance the Rapper, Liam Hemsworth, Sophie Turner and Reese Witherspoon.

Quibi, a novel platform designed exclusively for mobile phones, plans to release 175 original shows and 8,500 "quick bites" of content – the genesis of its abbreviated name – in its first year.

Monthly subscriptions to Quibi, headed by former eBay chief Meg Whitman and DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg as chairman, will cost $4.99 with advertising and $7.99 for an ad-free version. Viewers can get a 90-day free trial by signing up at Quibi.com before April 6.

Liam Hemsworth, left, and Oscar winner Christoph Waltz star in 'Most Dangerous Game,' one of the short-form series that will premiere when the Quibi streaming service launches on April 6.
Liam Hemsworth, left, and Oscar winner Christoph Waltz star in 'Most Dangerous Game,' one of the short-form series that will premiere when the Quibi streaming service launches on April 6.

The service features three kinds of programming presented in segments of 10 minutes or less: "Movies in Chapters," "Unscripted and Docs," focusing on food, fashion, travel, animals, music, comedy and talk; and "Daily Essentials," a need-to-know compendium covering news, sports, finance and culture.

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Highlights from the slate:

'Most Dangerous Game'

In this dystopian action-thriller, Liam Hemsworth plays a terminally ill man hoping to take care of his pregnant wife, who participates in a deadly game where he's the prey. Oscar winner Christoph Waltz also stars.

Sophie Turner, left, and Corey Hawkins star in the Quibi drama, 'Survive.'
Sophie Turner, left, and Corey Hawkins star in the Quibi drama, 'Survive.'

'Survive'

Sophie Turner and Corey Hawkins play the sole survivors of a plane crash who must fight their way out of wilderness, "battling brutal conditions and personal traumas" in a drama based on the Alex Morel novel "Survive."

'When the Streetlights Go On'

The sister of a young murder victim and her high school peers seek some sense of normalcy in the middle of a murder investigation. Grown-up members of the cast include Queen Latifah, Tony Hale and Mark Duplass.

'Flipped'

Will Forte and Kaitlin Olson play a TV house-flipping couple who face a dangerous assignment: renovating mansions owned by a Mexican drug cartel.

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Quibi's Unscripted and Docs category features plenty of boldface names, too:

'Thanks a Million'

Jennifer Lopez serves as executive producer and appears in this inspirational series in which public figures "kickstart a chain of kindness" by giving $100,000 to unsuspecting people who must pay it forward. Participating celebrities include Kristen Bell, Nick Jonas, Tracy Morgan, Aaron Rogers, Yara Shahidi and Kevin Hart.

Judge Chrissy Teigen presides on Quibi's 'Chrissy's Court.'
Judge Chrissy Teigen presides on Quibi's 'Chrissy's Court.'

'Chrissy's Court'

Chrissy Teigen judges small-claims cases and makes legally binding decisions, with her mom, Pepper Thai, as "bailiff" in the latest twist on the courtroom reality show.

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'Murder House Flip'

Homes known infamously for the murders committed inside them get makeovers in an unconventional home-renovation show with experts Mikel Welch and Joelle Uzyel and executive producers whose credits include "CSI," "Bones" and "Penny Dreadful."

'Skrrt with Offset'

Rapper Offset, who has more than 30 sports and luxury vehicles, joins his celebrity and rapper friends, including Quavo, Lil Yachty and T-Pain, in this celebration of all things cars. Guests include Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and Jay Leno.

'Punk'd'

The former MTV celebrity prank show returns with Chance the Rapper as host and executive producer.

'The Sauce'

Dance duo Ayo & Teo explore unique dance cultures across the U.S. as talented performers compete for a cash prize. Usher serves as a judge.

'&Music'

Unsung artists get to shine in musical collaborations with big stars in this behind-the-scenes series. Featured artists include Ariana Grande, YG, Anderson .Paak and Ozzy Osbourne.

'Elba v Block'

Actor Idris Elba and driver Ken Block compete against each other in a stunt competition to prove whose car, and which driver, is the best.

'Gone Mental with Lior'

Mentalist Lior Suchard shows off his skills while teaming with celebrities including Kate Hudson, Rob Gronkowski, James Corden and Zooey Deschanel.

'Singled Out'

MTV's brand-name dating show is reimagined with a heavy social-media element. Keke Palmer and Joel Kim Booster host.

'Gayme Show!'

Comedians Matt Rogers and Dave Mizzoni host a comedic competition that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. In each episode, two straight contestants are paired with a celebrity "life partner" in a competition for the title of "Queen of the Straights." Celebrity "life partners" include Ilana Glazer, D'Arcy Carden, John Lovett, Nicole Byer, Rachel Bloom and Guy Branum.

Nicole Richie produces and stars in Quibi's 'Nikki Fre$h.'
Nicole Richie produces and stars in Quibi's 'Nikki Fre$h.'

'Nikki Fre$h'

Star and executive producer Nicole Richie dives into her alter ego, "Nikki Fre$h," in this exploration of two of her passions, hip hop and Mother Earth.

'Dishmantled'

Tituss Burgess hosts a cooking competition that begins with "the cannon-blasting of a mystery food dish into the faces of two blindfolded chefs" who then try to identify and re-create it. Guest judges include Wolfgang Puck, Jane Krakowski, Rachel Dratch and Roy Choi.

'You Ain't Got These'

Lena Waithe produces and takes part in a celebration of sneaker culture that features guests Carmelo Anthony, Billie Jean King, Hasan Minhaj, Questlove, Nas, Mike Epps and Jemele Hill.

'Prodigy'

Soccer star Megan Rapinoe hosts a look at unprecedented athletic accomplishments in basketball, track, swimming, soccer, high school football, boxing and other athletic pursuits.

Animals get a starring role in 'Fierce Queens,' a Quibi nature series presented and narrated by Reese Witherspoon.
Animals get a starring role in 'Fierce Queens,' a Quibi nature series presented and narrated by Reese Witherspoon.

'Fierce Queens'

Reese Witherspoon presents and narrates a series from the BBC Studios Natural History unit that "explores the fabulous females of the animal kingdom ... from ant queens to speedy cheetahs."

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'Run This City'

The series follows Jasiel Correia II, the youngest person ever elected mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts. After being indicted, Correia pursues vindication.

'Shape of Pasta'

Chef Evan Funke tours Italy in "pursuit of pasta perfection" in a study of the craft and culture behind rare and forgotten pasta shapes.

'NightGowns'

Sasha Velour adapts her Brooklyn drag revue into a full stage production in this eight-episode show.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Quibi: Mobile streamer stars J Lo, Chrissy Teigen, Reese Witherspoon