FAST stands for Free Ad-supported Streaming TV. Streaming linear TV programs without paying any fees, such as monthly subscriptions. Today, television viewers are demanding free streaming services. The recent growth in FAST streaming is because people love watching free content without any prior commitment, as well as specially curated content to their liking. The universal spread of on-demand services in past years has led to – choice fatigue in consumers. Therefore, nowadays audiences are searching for a lean-back, passive viewing experience. Consumers are also preferring to choose an ad-supported format to eliminate subscription charges.
Advertisers also benefit from FAST channels as they can target audiences of certain genres. FAST Channels will be essential to reach audiences advertisers would otherwise be missing and to target select groups of viewers with specific types of programming. Media experts predict that within the next four years, streaming share of ad revenue will explode to over $70 billion, while linear TV declines to $30 billion.