According to 3Vision FAST Tracker data, over the last couple of years, several YouTubers and Social Media brands have migrated over to FAST, looking for new revenue opportunities and audience diversification beyond their original platforms. This highlights the growing trend of the creator economy aligning itself more with traditional media and streaming platforms.
MrBeast is one of the higher profile examples. As the single most subscribed to channel on YouTube, there is no doubt of it’s success on arguably the most economically profitable ad-supported platform in the market. However, as part of a widening strategy, in which MrBeast has also partnered with Amazon Prime Video on a series of high budget game shows, you can find his content on FAST platforms as well.
This isn’t entirely a new phenomenon to FAST, though. Since the early days of FAST, brands that initially gained recognition on social media platforms have leveraged this ecosystem to enhance their digital media strategies. Trusted Media Brands’ FailArmy, People Are Awesome, and The Pet Collective channels have been long-standing pillars in the space. Their language-agnostic approach, coupled with user-generated content, offered a high return on investment and an endless supply of content that effectively catered to the always on lean-back experience.
2023 - 2025: MrBeast and Influencer-Led FAST Channel Expansion
2023 was the first serious year of creators embracing an off-YouTube strategy, with the launch of the aforementioned MrBeast channel, as well as Mythical 24/7, and Hot Ones, the immensely popular online celebrity talk show.
Samsung TV Plus and Amazon Prime Video have since emerged as leading FAST platforms that champion the creator economy. Both services boast over a dozen creator-led channels in their lineups and actively collaborate with renowned influencers to enhance their content offerings. The final quarter of 2025 was a particularly active period for channel launches, with Samsung TV Plus debuting exclusive creator channels including Mark Rober TV, Challenge Accepted with Michelle Khare, and Dhar Mann TV. Amazon Prime Video simultaneously expanded its creator portfolio with the likes of Ryan Trahan, JackSepticEye, and The Zach Sang Show, demonstrating the accelerating competition between FAST platform operators to secure exclusive influencer content deals.
The aggressive FAST channel expansion by Samsung TV Plus and Amazon Prime Video reflects a strategic shift in how major streaming platforms view creator-driven content. Rather than treating influencer channels as niche programming, these platforms are positioning them as tentpole content that can attract advertiser-coveted younger demographics.
Creator-Led Channels vs Social Media Brands: Strategic Differences in the FAST Ecosystem
While most creator-driven FAST channels revolve around individual personalities, it's crucial for FAST platform operators and media investors to distinguish between influencer-led channels and established social media brands. YouTuber and influencer-led channels heavily rely on the ongoing popularity and personal brand equity of their creator, creating talent dependency risk, while also benefitting off the stronger engagement brought by fandoms. On the other hand, YouTube and social media brands have built sufficient brand recognition to operate independently of any single personality, offering less risk but maybe lower levels of consistent engagement. These two types of creator-led channels offer two fundamentally different risk-reward profiles for platform acquisition and advertising partnerships.
Creator-led FAST channels will be a critical segment of the free ad-supported streaming market to monitor in 2026 and beyond. For FAST platform operators, they represent a strategic solution to bring small-screen mobile audiences into the high-CPM connected TV advertising ecosystem. YouTube creators and influencers will continue recognising the commercial upside, as they seek to diversify revenue streams beyond their home platforms, reduce platform dependency, and align themselves with established media brands.
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