Beyond nostalgia:

Tracking FAST channel evolution and the opportunities for platforms and advertisers

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Content Discovery Content Distribution Contextual Advertising

FAST channels bring TV full circle

Free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) is the latest segment in the broad TV landscape to take the spotlight, amplified by an influx of content and backing from industry heavyweights like FOX, Paramount and Roku. As a result, audience engagement and interest from advertisers are rising, positioning FAST as the streaming industry’s latest growth opportunity. 

While much of the content distributed via FAST channels is available across many different platforms, it’s notably different from what’s available across the industry’s leading subscription video on-demand (SVOD) services. It’s also newer than many might think.

Only 13.4% of the programs on FAST channels were made before 1990

-Gracenote Global Video Data

The recent airing of Super Bowl LIX on Tubi highlights both the high-profile nature of some FAST content and the close resemblance to the programming we see on traditional TV.

Success in FAST will depend on similar strategies that apply elsewhere, but user experience is critical—especially until content distribution becomes more platform-exclusive. In FAST, at least in the short- to medium-term, user experience becomes the primary value proposition to drive both differentiation and long-term business success.

2025 FAST Landing Page callout 1
2025 FAST Landing Page callout 2
2025 FAST Landing Page callout 3

How contextual targeting can help marketers reach the scale they need in CTV to build their brands

By tapping into the visibility that contextual signals provide, brands can overcome their top challenges in CTV advertising and find the scale they’re looking for.

Oct 8, 2025
2025 Gracenote contextual targeting report

User-based targeting is great for delivering performance, but people don’t watch TV ads the way they watch ads on social media.

Oct 1, 2025
FAST flood: What 1,870 channels (and counting) means for advertisers

This growing appeal of FAST channels offers brands a new advertising option amid the rise of CTV, especially when they tap into normalized and enhanced metadata.

Sep 23, 2025

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