Free advertising supported streaming television (FAST) is a category of streaming television services, akin to linear or cable TV, represented by platforms such as The Roku Channel, Tubi, Pluto TV, Xumo, and Samsung TV Plus. These services offer traditional television programming ("live TV") and studio-produced movies without a paid subscription, funded exclusively by advertising. They stand apart from platforms predominantly featuring user-generated content (like YouTube and Twitch), as well as from subscription-based ad-supported services (like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix).

FAST services can be both linear channels (sometimes referred to as "FAST channels") and video on demand content. The earliest documented use of the term was in a December 2018 article by media analyst Alan Wolk about Pluto TV.[1][2][3][4] Wolk came up with the term as a way to differentiate between subscription-based, ad-supported services like Hulu, and free ad-supported linear streaming TV services like Pluto TV.[5]

Platforms

The FAST ecosystem has several layers. The best-known FASTs are the aggregators, which fall into three categories.[6]

These aggregators operate primarily in the United States as of 2022, though some, like Pluto TV,[7] Plex,[8] and Samsung TV Plus[9] operate in additional countries or worldwide.

In addition to aggregator apps, there are FASTs run by a single provider such as E.W. Scripps' Scripps News, PocketWatch and FilmRise that also provide their content for use in linear channels on the aggregator apps.

Content and channels

Content on FAST services can potentially cover all television genres as well as movies, which are the most popular type of content on the FASTs.[10] Content options can include original and/or archive programming not available through subscription streaming services. Although many FAST channels resemble traditional cable specialty channels, others may have an even narrower focus on a single program or media franchise (such as Sailor Moon, or the U.S. version of Fear Factor).[11]

While some linear FAST channels are exclusive to specific platforms, others, such as Cheddar, Court TV, are distributed through multiple providers. Such shared channels may feature different content and presentation, or may feature less or more total commercials depending on the provider.[12] FASTs owned by major media companies have the advantage of being able to leverage their parent companies extensive libraries.[13]

Variety estimated that 1,455 linear channels were available through major FAST platforms as of June 2022.[14]

Growing popularity

As per Nielsen's monthly streaming ratings for the US market, called The Gauge, three of the FAST services are now in the Top 10 of all streaming services. As of the September 2023 ratings, Tubi, with 1.3% of viewing, ranks fifth among all streaming services, The Roku Channel, with 1.1% ranks seventh, and Pluto TV, with 0.8% ranks tenth. While The Gauge consistently shows YouTube to be the most watched streaming service on television sets, there is much debate in the industry as to whether YouTube, with its preponderance of user-generated content, is actually "TV".

As of January 2024 it is reported that over 1,500 FAST TV channels are currently in airing in the U.S. across various services.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Week In Review: AT&T Reveals The Three Faces Of Warner, Pluto Discovers Europe". TVREV. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Peterson, Tim (August 6, 2019). "WTF is FAST?". Digiday. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  3. ^ Wolk, Alan (January 1, 2019). "The Year Ahead. Our Fearless Predictions For 2019, Part 1 of 2". TVRev. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  4. ^ Maglio, Tony (April 22, 2022). "Pluto TV Was an April Fool's Punchline 8 Years Ago. Today It's the Future of Streaming". IndieWire. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  5. ^ Hayes, Dade (December 14, 2022). "Free, Ad-Supported Television Is Catching On FAST: Boosters Hail It As Second Coming Of Cable, But Just How Big Is Its Upside?". Deadline. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  6. ^ Dixon, Colin (August 5, 2022). "Inside the Stream – Can FASTs become the new cable TV?". nScreenMedia. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  7. ^ Manfredi, Lucas (December 1, 2022). "Paramount Global Debuts Pluto TV in Canada". Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  8. ^ Perez, Sarah (July 23, 2020). "Plex launches a live TV service with over 80 free channels, most available worldwide". TechCrunch. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  9. ^ Spangler, Todd (August 30, 2022). "Samsung TV Plus Launches Rebrand, Unveils New Content Partnerships". Variety. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  10. ^ "The FAST And The Serious". TVREV. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  11. ^ Bridge, Gavin (July 1, 2022). "The FAST Approach to Streaming Content: A Special Report". Variety. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  12. ^ Pierce, David (March 30, 2017). "Inside Cheddar, the Would-Be CNBC of the Internet". Wired. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  13. ^ Hayes, Dade (October 31, 2022). "Pluto TV To Add 6,300-Plus Episodes From CBS Vault To Its Free Streaming Service As Paramount Global Divisions Harmonize". Deadline. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  14. ^ Bridge, Gavin (July 11, 2022). "What to Expect Next in FAST". Variety. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  15. ^ Hayes, Dade (January 17, 2024). "Are We Reaching Peak FAST? With The Number Of Channels North Of 1,500 In The U.S., Industry Execs See A Shakeout Coming – But That May Not Be A Bad Thing". Deadline. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
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