Tubi's Controversial Super Bowl Commercials: A Deep Dive
Tubi, the free, ad-supported streaming service, has made a name for itself with its daring and often shocking Super Bowl commercials. This year was no exception, sparking significant online discussion and dividing viewers with its unusual approach to advertising.
A Two-Pronged Approach: Comedy and Body Horror
Tubi's 2025 Super Bowl campaign featured two distinct commercials. The first promoted the upcoming scripted comedy, "The Z-Suite," starring Lauren Graham. The show tackles generational conflicts in the workplace, focusing on the clash between a veteran CEO (Graham) and her Gen Z colleagues. Creator Katie O'Brien emphasized the show's message of understanding diverse perspectives, stating, "The message of the show is not to be, like, “Gen Z is annoying,” or, “Gen X sucks.” It was just sort of, like, everyone is trying their best."
The second commercial, however, took a decidedly more unsettling turn, embracing body horror with a young cowboy born with a "fleshy hat" attached to his head. This bizarre visual elicited strong reactions on social media, with many comparing it to the work of David Lynch. While some praised the ad's bold creativity and memorable impact, others found it off-putting and confusing, questioning its effectiveness.
Expert Opinions Divide
Industry experts offered contrasting views on Tubi's Super Bowl strategy. While some, like Mary Cirincione, saw the body horror approach as a potentially effective PR move, highlighting Tubi's commitment to inclusion and acceptance, others were less impressed. Chuck Byers, for instance, felt the ad was ineffective, stating, "If they’re trying to get more subscribers, they totally missed the mark."
Craig Elimeliah linked the body horror trend in Super Bowl commercials to broader societal anxieties surrounding AI, biotechnology, and social media's impact on our sense of self. Rick Morrison emphasized the memorability of the unconventional approach, contrasting it with the reliance on celebrity endorsements in other ads.
Technical Glitches Shadow the Success
Tubi's Super Bowl live stream also experienced technical difficulties, with Chromecast users reporting issues casting the game to their TVs. While Google's Chromecast service itself was functioning correctly, a problem with Tubi's app prevented casting via the special Super Bowl button on the homepage. The streaming service addressed some user concerns on social media, offering troubleshooting advice and promising to restore features like the "continue watching" list.
Conclusion: A Risky but Memorable Strategy
Tubi's 2025 Super Bowl campaign was undoubtedly a gamble. While the "The Z-Suite" advertisement provided a more traditional approach, the body horror cowboy commercial sparked significant conversation, achieving high memorability at the potential cost of alienating some viewers. Ultimately, whether this unconventional strategy proves successful remains to be seen, but its bold nature ensures Tubi left its mark on Super Bowl Sunday.
FAQs
- What was Tubi's Super Bowl 2025 commercial about? Tubi aired two commercials: one for its new show "The Z-Suite," and a bizarre body horror ad featuring a cowboy with a fleshy hat.
- What were the reactions to Tubi's commercials? Reactions were mixed, with some praising the bold creativity and others finding them confusing or off-putting.
- Did Tubi's Super Bowl stream have any problems? Yes, there were reported issues with Chromecast users being unable to cast the stream to their TVs.
- Who starred in Tubi's "The Z-Suite" commercial? Lauren Graham, known for "Gilmore Girls," starred in the commercial for Tubi's new show.
