In the last year, there has been an acronym that has caught the attention of video entertainment: FAST. And this doesn’t come as a surprise, because FAST Channels are taking the internet by storm. We all enjoy the video entertainment landscape like travellers exploring the world, from binge-watching from the comfort of our beds, to glimpsing into snippets of different social media content, and FAST Channels have taken this into account.
This new TV format, which is gaining popularity online offers viewers a range of content to traditional cable TV but with a twist. What exactly are FAST Channels, and why are they becoming popular among viewers?
FAST Channels are Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television; it is free (no subscription fee), funded by ads, and they resemble traditional cable TV, which makes it hard to distinguish from linear channels. What sets them apart is that they offer a variety of live TV channels as well as on-demand content, they are inexpensive, and provide flexibility across devices (smart TV’s, smartphones, tablets).
Examples of FAST channels – Pluto TV, Tubi, Amazon Freevee, Roku, IMDBTV, Rakuten TV, LG Corp, etc.. The surge in FAST channel proliferation in 2023, exceeding 1,400 globally, underscores the rapid expansion of streaming choices, with the United States leading with over 1,000 channels, closely followed by the UK and Germany in this evolving media environment [Statista].
(Nielsen. (August 2, 2023). Number of unique free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels worldwide as of June 2023, by country [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 03, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1426470/fast-channels-number-worldwide-country/)
Primary source of revenue? Advertisement.
What adds a layer to this shift is the multitude of companies and brands vying to display their advertisements to viewers on their platforms. FAST channels offer advertisers tailored advertising chances within a streaming setting, enabling them to target audiences based on demographics, interests and viewing behaviours. Another advantage is their availability across platforms like TVs, streaming devices, dedicated websites for services and mobile applications.
While FAST Channel services are categorised into various types, two stand our as the dominant ones:
Platform Agnostic – Available and accessible through operating systems including Pluto TV, Roku, Peacock, etc.
Platform Exclusive – exclusive, to a platform – only on particular operating systems like LG, Samsung TV+ and others.
What are the benefits?
- Revenue: They make money from advertisements.
- Audience: They attract a range of viewers including those who prefer not to pay for subscriptions.
- Scalability: They can handle larger user bases without individual subscriptions.
- Targeted Ads: They allow tailored advertising.
- Reliability: They optimise streaming for smoother playback, ensuring a better viewing experience.
So, the next time you're browsing for finding a new revenue stream, why not delve into the realm of the world of Free ad-supported streaming television?
