Ad-supported content streaming platform Tubi has announced the imminent launch of its support for Matter Casting, a standardized streaming protocol designed to rival proprietary options like AirPlay and Chromecast. The feature is set to debut next week, making the Fox-owned service the second notable platform to adopt the open standard, following Amazon Prime Video.
Seamless streaming experience
The announcement comes on the heels of two new Matter certifications obtained by Tubi, one in June and a second in November under the Matter 1.4 specification as a “Casting Content App.” This integration aims to solve common friction points in the user experience. According to Deirdre Hesseldieck, SVP of Product and Viewer Experience at Tubi, the move is about “simplifying connected viewing by removing setup friction and enabling instant access to content.”
With Matter Casting, users can launch and control Tubi content on a Matter-enabled TV directly from their mobile device. Unlike legacy screen mirroring technologies that simply project the phone’s display, Matter Casting creates a true over-the-top (OTT) session. This protocol handles automatic app installation on the target device, manages secure sign-in, and provides real-time playback control. This allows the user to transition from mobile to the living room without needing to manually download the app or type in credentials on the TV screen.
In addition to these features, Matter Casting also supports remote control functions, such as directional navigation and volume adjustment, allowing the mobile device to act as a fully functional remote. This allows the user to transition from mobile to the living room without needing to manually download the app or type in credentials on the TV screen.
Availability and compatibility
The feature launches next week and is scheduled to be available globally by the end of the month. At launch, support will be focused on select Amazon hardware, including the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Fire TV Omni QLED Series, Fire TV Omni Mini-LED, and the 3rd Generation Fire TV Cube. It remains unclear if Echo Show devices that currently support Matter Casting will also be compatible with Tubi at this stage.
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Currently, Tubi offers four methods to connect mobile devices to a TV, including Chromecast, AirPlay, and a proprietary linking code system. Matter Casting will serve as a fourth, more automated option once the update rolls out.
A giant to shake things up
For those unfamiliar with the service, Tubi operates as a free, ad-supported alternative to subscription services like Netflix. The platform boasts a library of 300,000 on-demand movies and TV episodes. According to the firm’s recent data, it serves over 100 million monthly active users, providing access to full-length content in exchange for viewing commercials.
With Tubi’s official support for Matter Casting, more TV makers are likely to support Matter as a generic casting solution, avoiding extra licensing fees using Airplay and Chromecast, and reducing the development cost for a cross-platform experience.
However, potentially due to interest conflicts, Apple and Google show no sign of supporting this feature yet. Previously, Plex, Pluto TV, Sling TV, STARZ, and ZDF were expected to support Matter, according to TCL customer support documents. But there are no updates at the moment.
Open home communities are more likely to make the standard popular if more demo codes are provided for prebuilt development kits.
(Source: Tubi, CSA, TCL; Image Source: Tubi, Matter Alpha/Ward Zhou)
