What is FAST?
Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) is an OTT content distribution model where users get free access to linear television channels via the Internet and revenue is generated by delivering targeted advertisements to users as part of the viewing experience.
Why is FAST Important?
Free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) is a relatively new distribution model for content. While early movers in the established SVOD market got their start in the mid-2000s (e.g. Netflix and Hulu, who both launched their first SVOD streaming services in 2007), FAST is a much more recent OTT trend. Today’s well-established FAST platforms launched in the mid-2010s.
But despite their newcomer status, FAST platforms are growing in popularity and adding millions of new viewers every month. In terms of model evolution, we’ve also seen the rise of hybrid FAST/AVOD platforms that combine linear with on-demand offerings.
Take Pluto TV for example. The platform launched in 2013 and began offering VOD content in 2017. It grew rapidly in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, from 12 million unique monthly viewers in January 2019 to 24.2 million in January 2020. By April 2023, Pluto TV reported a total of 80 million unique monthly users on its FAST service.
As FAST platforms continue to grow their viewership, they represent an increasingly attractive revenue opportunity for content sellers to monetize their content assets.
How Does FAST Work?
FAST Content Streams Over The Top (OTT)
FAST services are OTT media services, delivering content directly to consumers via the Internet and bypassing traditional media distribution channels like broadcast, cable, and satellite TV.
FAST = Linear Content + Advertising Revenue
FAST platforms offer linear programming and monetize their content by displaying advertisements. A linear programming model means that FAST users tune in to “Virtual Channels” where content is presented on a set schedule determined by the service provider. Users can pick a channel, but they can’t choose which content will be presented next.
Platforms that offer OTT linear television in a subscription model are better described as virtual multichannel video programming distributors (vMVPDS), while ad-funded platforms with on-demand video content are better described as advertising video-on-demand (AVOD).
Because of its linear format, some industry insiders theorize that FAST may eventually replace cable and satellite programming, but FAST channel content quality currently does not rival MVPD programming.
Despite growth in channels and users, FAST revenue has been sluggish according to some channel providers, but industry analyst Omdia expects global FAST revenue to triple from 2022 to 2027, reaching $12 billion.
FAST platforms license media from content owners
FAST platforms offer many different types of content for users, including:
- Live cable television channels,
- Niche sports channels and news shows,
- Digital-first video content from popular YouTube channels,
- Older TV shows and movies that may not be available on leading SVOD platforms, and
- Themed channels
FAST platforms must license television, film, and video content from the owner/creator before it can be monetized on their platform. In exchange for these rights, content owners receive either a flat buy-out fee or an ongoing share of advertising revenue generated by their content.
The terms of licensing agreements can vary substantially based on the perceived value of a content asset and the relative negotiation positions of the content owner and the distributor. If a content asset is expected to attract a large viewership, the content owner can negotiate a greater share of the benefits. Content owners can better prepare for these negotiations by leveraging their data with AI-driven platforms like Revedia to accurately value content assets.
FAST platform optimization is data-driven
Just like SVOD and AVOD service providers, free ad-supported television providers have the ability to capture data from their platforms and use it to improve the customer experience and drive revenue. However, right now many platforms are finding it difficult to increase FAST engagement.
Content data, including popularity, consumption, and engagement data (filtered by user segment, genre, platform, etc.) can help FAST platforms identify which types of content have the strongest impact on increasing viewership, and in turn, advertising revenue.
Customer data, including demographics, behaviors, and preferences, can help FAST platforms understand their audiences, identify the most engaged and profitable user segments, and make licensing decisions that help maximize platform revenue.
For both types, channel owners currently report that it is difficult to obtain the FAST data they need to improve channel programming and overall distribution strategy.
5 FAST Examples You Should Know
Pluto TV
One of the early movers in the FAST streaming space, Pluto TV launched in 2013 and released the beta version of its website in 2014. Pluto TV offers more than 390 virtual streaming channels in the United States alone across categories that include Entertainment, News, Comedy, Sports, and Classic TV. Some content is streamed live from live broadcast playouts, while other channels consist entirely of licensed media.
Notable themed channels include “Cats 24/7” and “Totally Turtles”, which continuously streams old episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Xumo
Founded in 2011 and later acquired by Comcast, Xumo is one of the largest FAST services with over 340 channels in the United States. The platform offers live OTT streams of traditional broadcast channels like NBC, CBS, and ABC, digital-first video content from publishers like Fail Army, free movie channels, and dedicated channels for popular shows like Midsomer Murders, Family Feud, and Degrassi.
Sling TV
Sling TV, a subsidiary of Dish Network, is a hybrid streaming platform that’s leveraging multiple distribution models for content.
There’s a free version of Sling (Sling TV Free), as well as subscription-based plans (Sling Orange and Sling Blue) that offer more channels for a monthly fee.
Sling TV offers a mix of linear and on-demand content, so users can tune in to their favorite virtual channel or watch television and movies from Sling TV’s rich content library. All versions of Sling TV are monetized with unskippable advertisements.
The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is Roku’s own FAST media service that’s available in-browser, as an app for Android and iOS, smart TVs, or on your Roku streaming device.
Like other FAST services, The Roku Channel offers live streams of traditional cable channels, along with licensed on-demand content and curated theme channels delivering 24/7 streams of favorite shows like Bob the Builder, Ice Road Truckers, and The Price Is Right. It currently has over 470 channels in the Unites States.
Samsung TV Plus
Founded in 2015, Samsung TV Plus is one of the most prominent examples of FAST services launched by smart TV manufacturers. It is available on Samsung Smart TVs, Samsung Galaxy mobile devices, and even some Samsung refrigerators in selected regions.
The service currently has over 340 live channels in the United States with channel content ranging from reality TV, to game shows, news, lifestyle content, sports, and more.
Optimize FAST Licensing Revenue with Revedia
The media division of SymphonyAI helps content owners harness their data to better monetize television and video content assets in the competitive OTT streaming marketplace.
Our Revedia offers data intelligence and AI-driven capabilities for FAST channel owners who distribute their channels to multiple platforms. Features like revenue management, forecasting, and auditing help content licensors leverage their data to accurately valuate content and maximize the revenue potential of their content libraries.
