First time FAST viewing – are people watching new channels?
Streaming has made tremendous strides in the past decade, offering an entirely new way for viewers to access entertainment and educational content. But as the landscape continues to develop, streaming services are becoming increasingly expensive, complex, and not to mention, impersonal.
The streaming industry is in its maturation phase, and with that comes a deluge of content and entertainment access points for consumers. According to Altman Solon’s 12th annual Consumer Video Survey, consumers subscribe to an average of three paid-for platforms – which presents a challenge in itself with availability outstripping demand – yet there have been numerous claims circulating of plateauing membership numbers in recent months. Meanwhile, the competition has never been more stiff — TV networks and film studios are beginning to enter the market, giving them control over both content and distribution, and large tech platforms are continuing to invest heavily in their streaming offerings.
As new services enter the market and TV networks continue to produce original content, consumers' video options are rapidly increasing. And while this abundance of choice has empowered viewers with robust libraries of content, it has created a distinctly modern problem: not being able to decide what to watch.
Viewers don’t always want to be inundated with infinite options. They want a curated selection of original content and exclusive channels that are easily and efficiently assessable and accessible. But how do viewers evaluate what to watch, and are new channels coming to market getting a look in?
As a consumer, it’s the “what,” not the “where,” that matters, meaning viewers are more invested in the movies, shows, actors, and filmmakers than which apps carry them. And while the likes of Stranger Things, The Boys and House of the Dragon have been huge hits for streaming services in recent times, this strategy of churning out endless content is beginning to backfire, with viewers turning off and tuning in to more familiar content from the 90s and 2000s, often which they have seen many times before.
This is where FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) really shines. Giving classic TV a fresh, modern take, FAST brings the practice of easy, lean back viewing of traditional TV to streaming, with both linear and on-demand programming in a single viewing experience. Dedicated channels offer subject-based content that connects with viewers in a familiar format and doesn’t come at a premium, making it a popular choice among audiences.
This shift in viewing habits presents providers with an opportunity to reach audiences as they migrate away from subscription models while still maintaining a high demand for content. Discoverability has always been a risk to online viewing, with services and content having to fight for attention, but FAST avoids this issue by having the right content all in one place, helping audiences to navigate their way through a virtual maze of programming.
FAST Channels TV provides over 130 linear channels, with more being added each month, including, live sporting events, international news, and family entertainment, as well as genre-specific music, movies and TV spanning the last 70 years. As we continue to enhance our offering, we strive to provide strong, easily identifiable channels to keep viewers engaged and fill gaps in programming needs.
With our sophisticated white-label platform and FAST playout generation services, FAST Channels TV has been helping broadcasters, operators, and content owners to drive viewer engagement and enable monetization. Get in touch to find out how we can take your content to the next level.
About FAST Channels TV:
Revolutionize Your TV Experience with FAST Channels TV
Empower your content ownership journey with FAST Channels TV, your premier destination for launching cutting-edge FAST linear channels. Our state-of-the-art white-label platforms and channel playout generation services are tailored for broadcasters, operators, and content owners, enabling swift deployment and seamless monetization of your channels.
For inquiries about launching a FAST channel or adding some or all of our channels to your platform, contact FAST Channels TV at info@fastchannels.tv or visit https://www.fastchannels.tv/