17.1.2025

Top 10 FAST Tracker Insight Stories of 2024

Top 10 FAST Tracker Insight Stories of 2024

Author

Jed Ayloff

role

Senior Analyst

2024 was another busy year for FAST. As economic pressures continue to significantly impact both consumers and content owners, the ad-supported market has further grown in importance. While the United States retained its status as the dominant FAST market, the year witnessed a notable surge in international activity. Major US studios strategically augmented their content portfolios and extended their reach into new global territories. Simultaneously, streaming platforms escalated content investment to unprecedented levels, and local broadcasters introduced premium local content offerings in markets beyond the United States.

10. M6 Becomes the Latest European National Broadcaster to Add FAST Channels

Local broadcasters are becoming ever more influential in the FAST and AVOD ecosystem as they have had to adapt to digital streaming. ITVX, 7 Plus and 10Play were some of the earliest movers, integrating FAST channels into their own platform alongside digital retransmissions of they broadcast channels. In France, M6 recently became one of the latest European broadcasters to add FAST to their digital offering, striking a unique deal with Pluto that saw content and channels shared between the two parties.

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9. The Rings of Power: SVOD Goes FAST

One of the more interesting stories of 2024 was Samsung’s surprise acquisition of the first season of Amazon’s popular original series, “The Rings of Power”. Previously considered a destination for undervalued or niche content, this move signified a new chapter in FAST, highlighting it’s potential viability for new premium IP. This strategy reflects the evolving media landscape and the increasing importance of FAST channels in content distribution.

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8. How Are US Studios Expanding FAST Portfolios Internationally

US Studios are expanding their FAST channel offerings globally, but face challenges with international launches. They must navigate different regulations, languages, and viewer preferences. Success hinges on localising content, including dubbing and subtitling, to resonate with audiences in each region. This expansion reflects the growing global popularity of FAST services and the studios' desire to monetise their content libraries in new markets.

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7. US Studios Elevate FAST Movie Channels

Movie channels are a staple of the FAST proposition. As the market has matured, the demand for higher quality content has increased rapidly as the popularity of Movie channels has grown. US Studios like Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery and Sony have all identified this and launched their own channels featuring high quality films from their extensive back catalogues.

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6. FAST & Furious: Movie Channels Continue to Thrive as Studios Look to Monetise Libraries

Movie channels have also been thriving on FAST services despite a general slowdown in channel growth. Genre-specific channels, like drama and horror, are doing well, reflecting the trends in the unscripted space for reality and true crime content. High quality movie channels are also often promoted at the top of platform EPGs, further highlighting their power in drawing in audiences.

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5. What Content Strategies Are US Studios Using in the FAST Market

The major US Studios have quickly become some of the most influential players in the FAST market over the last few years. Paramount, Fox and MGM are all directly linked to some of the most important service providers, while the likes of Warner Bros., NBCUniversal and Lionsgate have sizeable portfolios of high quality channels that are especially sought after.

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4. Churn in the FAST Channel Market Grows as Quality is Prioritised Over Quantity

One of the key markers of a maturing market is increased competition, brought on by more entrants into a crowded market. As a result, quality increases but lower performing competitors are forced out. FAST has experienced significant churn in the last 1-2 years as the market has matured and the major stakeholders have become more involved. Between August 2023 and 2024 around 27% of channels in the US were dropped by all major platforms.

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3. How the Global FAST Market is Becoming More Refined

The global FAST market is becoming more refined. Conversations around FAST are shifting to monetisation as new content providers are forcing platforms to optimise EPGs due traditional media businesses improving channel quality. Single IP has been a consistent driver of channel growth in all markets, however, sports content is also becoming increasingly more prevalent in the market.

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2. Why Are Single IP Chanels so Popular in FAST

Single IP channels are popular in FAST because they offer a clear value proposition by focusing on a single show or franchise, making content discovery easy for viewers. These channels often feature strong content like popular shows with large libraries. Both unscripted and scripted television series, including reality shows, true crime, dramas, and anime are particularly popular. They are also relatively easy to implement compared to curated channels. For content owners outside the US, Single IP channels provide an accessible entry point into many markets.

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1. TF1+ Launches With Over Forty FAST Channels, Focusing on Local Single IP

At the beginning of 2024 TF1+ launched with  over 40 FAST Channels, focusing on local content. The platform is part of the larger trend of national broadcasters moving into digital with their own offering of local FAST channels. TF1+’s FAST lineup is available through a TV guide that blends both their traditional TV channels with the dedicated FAST channels. The platform has a strong preference for single-IP and scripted content, and primarily features channels under its own ownership.

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3Vision trackers

Show Tracker

Get essential data on where scripted TV series are being distributed and acquired in global markets and start accelerating your content sales or acquisitions.

Show Tracker is an essential tool for content distributors and buyers in the TV industry, enabling you to track a TV show’s full journey in a market, so you can see who is buying and selling, and the main characteristics of each deal.

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3Vision trackers

Movie Tracker

Get essential data on where scripted movies are being distributed and acquired in global markets and start accelerating your content sales or acquisitions.

Movie Tracker is an essential tool for content distributors and buyers in the TV industry, enabling you to track a movie’s full journey in a market from theatrical release through home entertainment, Pay TV,  SVOD and free TV windows, so you can see who is buying and selling, and the main characteristics of each deal.

Learn more
3Vision trackers

FAST Tracker

Get essential data on where FAST channels are being distributed and acquired in key markets and identify important players delivering channels.

FAST Tracker is an essential tool that gives you an extensive and detailed view of the FAST ecosystem. Tracking major platform activity, channel owners and global channel distribution, FAST Tracker enables you to identify opportunities and analyse competitors so that you can make informed business decisions that get you ahead of the game.

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