June 5, 2024
The report presents the growth of FAST over two years. The total number of unique FAST channels available in May 2024 in the U.S. is 1,943, the second highest total. That marks a 13.1 percent increase from May 2023, with 225 added channels, and a 47.3 percent increase since May 2022, with 624 channels added. By: K Dass.
US - A new report titled “State of FAST” by Gavin Bridge
from FASTMaster Consulting has been released this month. The report indicates
that there are 1,943 unique FAST channels currently available in the U.S. These
channels cater to viewers who prefer free, ad-supported streaming television.
General entertainment
continues to dominate the FAST landscape, accounting for the largest share of
overall channels (with 1,092 channels).
Movies have become
increasingly popular in the FAST space, with the category experiencing a 50%
year-over-year growth and now comprising 236 channels. Channels that offer a
mix of genres are the most popular among viewers.
While major media
players like Warner Bros. Discovery have entered the FAST market, they don’t
necessarily have the most widely distributed channels.
The channels with the
widest distribution across platforms include, Court TV, Forensic Files, Game
Show Central, Heartland, LOL! Network and Unsolved Mysteries. These channels
are available on 13 different platforms.
The total volume of
channels across all FAST platforms has jumped 74.3% during the analyzed period
(from January 2022 to May 2024). This growth indicates that a strong offering
of movie channels is important for consumer satisfaction. The FAST landscape in
the U.S. is evolving with a diverse range of channels catering to viewers’
preferences.