FAST — Free Ad-Supported Television
Linear streaming channels distributed at scale with minimal operational overhead
What is FAST?
FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) creates linear television channels that are distributed on FAST platforms — Pluto TV, Tubi, Samsung TV+, Plex, Roku Channel, etc. Viewers tune in like traditional TV; ads fund the service.
What you need before launching a FAST channel
- Enough catalog to schedule 24/7 without obvious repeats (at least 100–200 hours of programming recommended)
- Playout infrastructure — a cloud playout tool or linear packager (e.g. Wurl, Amagi, Frequency, Edgio)
- SCTE-35 ad marker support — required for SSAI on most FAST platforms
- Distribution agreements — direct deals with FAST platforms or through a distribution aggregator
Revenue mechanics
FAST revenue is driven by:
- CPM from FAST platform ad inventory share
- Direct ad sales (if you have scale — typically 1M+ monthly hours watched)
- Audience data as a negotiation lever for better rev-share terms
FAST levers to pull
- Programming strategy — themed channels, marathon scheduling, and "stunt" programming drive tune-in
- Distribution breadth — more platforms = more inventory, but operations complexity grows
- Ad ops — SSAI quality, fill rate, and CPM optimisation directly impact revenue
Limitations
FAST is primarily viable for catalogs with enough volume to sustain linear scheduling. If you have under 50 hours of content, VOD/AVOD is a better starting point.
For full FAST channel launch guidance, visit StreamPlaybook.
Building a FAST channel?
Book a monetization call.