Tubi is stepping into 2026 with its first-ever exclusive creator content slate — and it’s teaming up with Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat to make it happen.
As part of an expanded partnership, the free, ad-supported platform will drop four original films led by some of the internet’s biggest names — starting with Kinigra Deon and The 85 South Show’s DC Young Fly, Chico Bean, and Karlous Miller.
The Lineup
Kinigra Deon leads Sundown, a supernatural thriller that follows a group of Black college friends who find themselves stranded in a racially hostile town where urban legends become real. Deon not only stars but also writes and directs the film.
Next up is 85 South: Dead End, a satirical horror-comedy starring DC Young Fly, Chico Bean, and Karlous Miller. The trio’s Southern road trip takes a wild turn when they end up in a mysterious town that no one ever leaves.
Two more films are on the way, set to be announced soon.
The Partnership
This marks the next phase of Tubi and Hartbeat’s ongoing relationship, previously responsible for bringing several Hartbeat-produced projects to the platform. The partnership was spearheaded by Hartbeat president Jeff Clanagan and Tubi’s SVP of content acquisitions and partnerships, Sam Harowitz.
Tubi is doubling down on its “Tubi for Creators” initiative — a program that gives digital creators space to make long-form projects for a mainstream audience. Kinigra Deon is part of the program’s first wave, with her series Vampire Siblings and College Life already available on the platform.
Building a New Creator Era
For both Tubi and Hartbeat, this partnership is about more than content — it’s about giving creators ownership and opportunity. The plan is to eventually roll out up to six creator-led films a year, covering everything from horror to comedy.
Clanagan says Hartbeat isn’t just producing these projects — they’re collaborating directly with the creators. The goal is to help digital storytellers expand from YouTube to Hollywood without losing their voice or audience.
Meanwhile, Tubi’s free and highly diverse audience of over 100 million monthly viewers makes it a natural home for these bold, creator-driven stories.
From Kinigra Deon’s Alabama studio to The 85 South Show’s comedic chaos, this new slate marks a fresh era where creators call the shots — and bring their communities along for the ride.