Free ad-supported streaming television

Last updated

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).

Contents

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, [8] Plex, [9] and Samsung TV Plus [10] 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. [11] 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 ). [12]

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. [13] FASTs owned by major media companies have the advantage of being able to leverage their parent companies extensive libraries. [14]

Variety estimated that 1,455 linear channels were available through major FAST platforms as of June 2022. [15]

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. [16]

Related Research Articles

Video on demand (VOD) is a media distribution system that allows users to access videos, television shows and films without a traditional video playback device and a typical static broadcasting schedule. In the 20th century, broadcasting in the form of over-the-air programming was the most common form of media distribution. As Internet and IPTV technologies continued to develop in the 1990s, consumers began to gravitate towards non-traditional modes of content consumption, which culminated in the arrival of VOD on televisions and personal computers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Channel (Canadian TV channel)</span> Canadian premium TV channel

Super Channel Entertainment Network is a Canadian English language premium cable and satellite television channel owned by Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc. Super Channel's programming primarily includes theatrically released, first to television motion pictures and television series, along with documentaries and other niche programs.

Now is a subscription over-the-top streaming television service operated by British satellite television provider Sky Group. Launched in the United Kingdom in 2012, the service is also available in Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the United States.

Motorsport.tv is a global streaming OTT platform specialized in motor racing and motoring content, live and on demand launched in September 2018. It is a fully integrated video ecosystem developed and operated by Motorsport Network to specifically cater to different motor racing and automotive audiences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My5</span> Video-on-demand brand name

My5 is the brand name of video-on-demand services offered by Channel 5 in the United Kingdom. The service went live on 26 June 2008. It is owned by Paramount Global and operated by their Paramount Networks UK & Australia division.

Xumo, LLC is an American internet television and consumer electronics company. It is a joint venture of Charter Communications and Comcast that operates the free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) and advertising video on demand (AVOD) service Xumo Play, and distributes Xumo Stream Box digital media players and Xumo TV smart TVs. The Xumo Play platform's service operations are based in the Greater Los Angeles suburb of Irvine, California. As of October 2020, Xumo Play has 24 million monthly active users.

YouTube TV is an American streaming television service operated by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google. Announced on February 28, 2017, the virtual multichannel video programming distributor offers a selection of live linear channel feeds and on-demand content from more than 100 television networks and over 30 OTT-originated services, as well as a cloud-based DVR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scripps News</span> American television and streaming news network

Scripps News is an American news channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and owned by the Scripps Networks division of the E. W. Scripps Company. It was previously known as Newsy, from its launch in 2008 until December 31, 2022.

Ameba is a Canadian subscription streaming video service founded in 2007 and headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The service features children's cartoons & television series, movies, and music videos.

Newsmax TV is an American conservative television channel owned by Newsmax. The network primarily focuses on political opinion-based talk shows. It carries a news/talk format throughout the day and night, with documentaries and films on weekends. During and after the 2020 United States presidential election, it grew rapidly by broadcasting conspiracy theories and allegations of voter fraud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FilmRise</span> New York City–based film and television studio and streaming network

Fisher Klingenstein Ventures, LLC, doing business as FilmRise, is a New York–based film/television studio and streaming network, which has become one of the largest independent providers of content to ad-supported streaming (AVOD) platforms, in addition to providing the largest free direct to consumer service with its 22 owned-and-operated streaming channels, the "FilmRise Streaming Network". Currently, the FilmRise Streaming Network has reported more than 31.5 million downloads in the U.S. and can be seen on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Comcast, iOS, Android and Apple, among other platforms. FilmRise also syndicates its own digital linear channels to platforms including The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, and Amazon's Freevee and Vizio.

Tubi is an American over-the-top content platform and ad-supported streaming service owned by Fox Corporation since 2020. The service was launched on April 1, 2014, and is based in Los Angeles, California. In January 2021, Tubi reached 33 million monthly active users. As of September 2023, it had 74 million monthly active users.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pluto TV</span> Internet-based TV platform

Pluto TV is a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service owned and operated by the Paramount Streaming division of Paramount Global.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FuboTV</span> American streaming television service

FuboTV Inc., operating as FuboTV or Fubo, is an American streaming television service serving customers in the United States, Canada, and Spain and based in Midtown Manhattan. The network focuses primarily on channels that distribute live sports. Depending on the country it is accessed in, channels offered by Fubo may potentially include access to the Premier League, NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, CPL, and international football, as well as news, network television series, and movies.

Peacock is an American over-the-top video streaming service owned and operated by Peacock TV LLC, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal Media Group. Named after the NBC logo, the service launched on July 15, 2020. The service primarily features series and film content from NBCUniversal studios and other third-party content providers, including television series, films, news, and sports programming. The service is available in a grandfathered free ad-supported version with limited content, while premium tiers include a larger content library and access to additional NBC Sports, Hallmark Channel, and WWE content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungo TV</span> American entertainment company

Jungo TV, LLC is a privately-held media company that owns and operates television channels and streaming apps founded in 2016. Jungo TV is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in San Diego, Mumbai, and Manila.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haystack News</span> OTT platform for news videos

Haystack News is a free ad-supported streaming service for local, national and international news video available on smart TVs, over-the-top platforms and mobile apps. Haystack uses data from each user—such as location, topics of interest and favorite publishers—to create a personalized playlist of short news clips. The platform also hosts live channels from local, national and international news outlets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Roku Channel</span> Free streaming video service

The Roku Channel is an over-the-top video streaming service owned and operated by Roku, Inc. Launched in September 2017, the service is offered in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Mexico. The Roku Channel tops U.S. viewership for free ad-supported streaming TV, and reports 120 million viewers as of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant Pictures</span> American film distribution company

Giant Pictures is an American independent film distribution company founded by Nick Savva and Jeff Stabenau with offices in New York City and Los Angeles. The company releases feature films, documentaries and series on streaming platforms, with an emphasis on flexibility and customization for filmmakers. Giant Pictures owns and operates specialty theatrical label, Drafthouse Films. Giant is the distribution and technology partner of the Tribeca Festival.

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. ↑ "'BINGE Korea' FAST Platform Launches in the U.S." Variety. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  8. ↑ Manfredi, Lucas (December 1, 2022). "Paramount Global Debuts Pluto TV in Canada" . Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  9. ↑ Perez, Sarah (July 23, 2020). "Plex launches a live TV service with over 80 free channels, most available worldwide". TechCrunch. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  10. ↑ Spangler, Todd (August 30, 2022). "Samsung TV Plus Launches Rebrand, Unveils New Content Partnerships". Variety. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  11. ↑ "The FAST And The Serious". TVREV. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  12. ↑ Bridge, Gavin (July 1, 2022). "The FAST Approach to Streaming Content: A Special Report". Variety . Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  13. ↑ Pierce, David (March 30, 2017). "Inside Cheddar, the Would-Be CNBC of the Internet". Wired. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ Bridge, Gavin (July 11, 2022). "What to Expect Next in FAST". Variety . Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  16. ↑ 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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.