From strategic platform evolutions and deepening sports engagement to stronger OEM partnerships and innovative strategies bridging SVOD, and BVOD, the FAST ecosystem has matured rapidly. In 2025, FAST Tracker revealed how players diversified propositions, ventured further into premium content segments, and experimented with new models and strategic partnerships. Below we unpack the top stories that captured the industry’s attention this year.
Single IP Continues to Grow
Single IP channels continued to anchor FAST’s growth in 2025, accounting for roughly one-third of the global channel landscape. These channels—dedicated to a single series or creator—remain popular due to their brand clarity, ease of set-up, and lower programming complexity relative to mixed genre channels. Platforms expanded Single IP inventories across the US, though growing churn indicates that refresh and viewer fatigue are emerging risks. In Europe’s EU5 markets, Single IP channels represented about 40% of new launches, notably outpacing other channel types.
Sports Becomes One of the New Key Battlegrounds
Sports emerged as a compelling frontier for FAST platforms in 2025, broadening beyond classic entertainment and news offerings. While rights to major domestic leagues (e.g., Premier League, NFL) remain tightly held by pay-TV and SVOD, FAST has carved out niches with motorsports, combat sports (including UFC and Bellator), and even niche competitions like pickleball and esports. These formats leverage dedicated fanbases and cost-effective distribution, presenting a mutually beneficial proposition for platforms and content owners alike. Broadcasters like CBS, FOX and NBC have launched free channels featuring highlights, talk shows, and ancillary sports content, while clubs and league brands are creating direct channels to deepen fan engagement.
Major League Sports becoming more involved
Building on earlier analyses of sports on FAST, this deeper dive underscores how premium broadcasters and sports leagues are increasingly moving quality sports content into the FAST fold. With FAST originally dominated by smaller independents and niche publishers, 2025 saw a tangible shift: major players elevated channel quality, signalling strategic intent to leverage FAST for both audience acquisition and brand extension. The evolution reflects a broader trend where FAST is a platform for higher-value and strategically curated sports programming.
Local European Broadcasters Utilising FAST: RTVE and Samsung TV Plus
Regional partnerships took centre stage in Europe in 2025, illustrated by RTVE and Samsung TV Plus’s expanded collaboration in Spain. The agreement launched five new FAST channels featuring premium local content, showing how local broadcast IP can drive engagement on global FAST platforms. By integrating public broadcaster inventories with Samsung’s FAST UI, the partnership addressed both viewer demand for localised content and platform needs for quality programming. While single IP channels remain a smaller share in Spain compared to the global average, the breadth of RTVE’s offerings shows local champions can shape FAST propositions in ways international libraries may not. This PSB-FAST synergy sets a template for other markets where broadcasters can amplify reach via OEM platforms while maintaining brand and content identity.
New Synergies Between SVOD and FAST: Paramount+ and Peacock Putting channels on Vizio
Paramount+ and Peacock both launched curated promotional channels on Vizio’s WatchFree+ FAST service, offering free access to premium scripted series as a pathway to subscription conversion. This blurring of SVOD and FAST strategies marks a significant shift in how rights holders and platforms think about funnelling viewers through increasingly fragmented ecosystems. With OEM platforms controlling valuable UI real estate, FAST is transitioning from a standalone ad platform into an integral component of broader digital strategy, aligned with retention, trial conversion and brand visibility.
Samsung TV Plus Launches Owned & Operated Live and Premium Content Channel
Samsung TV Plus’s launch of the Samsung Television Network signalled a significant step for OEM-owned FAST offerings. This new O&O channel blends live content with premium-tier talk shows, exclusive scripted series, and creator-led programming. By positioning itself closer to traditional broadcast experiences, the move reflects a broader industry pattern: OEM platforms are investing into their own content to drive advertising revenue and UI engagement.
The Owned and Operated Channels at the centre of Pluto's Content Strategy
Pluto TV stands out in the FAST landscape by leading all platforms in Owned & Operated (O&O) channels. With over 175 O&O FAST channels in the US alone, Pluto’s scale far exceeds that of competitors, an advantage fuelled by Paramount’s deep library and established brands like MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET. Beyond its own ecosystem, Pluto’s influence even extends to other major FAST services including Vizio, Roku, Amazon Prime Video and Samsung TV Plus, often with prominent Pluto branding on channel thumbnails and hero placements. This distribution footprint illustrates how Pluto’s content strategies transcend platform boundaries, positioning its O&O portfolio as a core competitive asset.
.svg)
