Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV is a type of streaming that gives viewers access to free television channels. However, it is different from the way many OTT and CTV inventories may be purchased, and this does not refer to VOD (Video On Demand) streaming services.
FAST refers to live television streaming that is ad-supported, meaning a viewer still needs to tune in to their show during the broadcast’s scheduled time, but they do so on their FAST platform or streaming service. FAST TV inventory is accessible to advertisers via both OTT and CTV services, depending on how the buy is orchestrated.
There’s usually a lighter ad load on FAST TV, averaging about 8 to 10 minutes of advertising per hour compared to more than 12 minutes on traditional/linear TV.
FAST TV Platforms & Channels
- Samsung TV Plus (Platform) – this is a dominant player in the FAST TV ecosystem. Worth noting, Samsung is a best-selling TV brand with their Samsung TV Plus app baked into every device.
- Amazon’s Freevee (Platform) and TalkTV (Channel)
- Xumo (Platform) and Xumo’s Free Nature & Wildlife TV (Channel)
- Tubi (Platform) and Tubi Originals (Channel)
FAST TV may be entire platforms dedicated to ad-supported free streaming on a broadcast schedule, or it may refer to particular channels.
Levy Online does budget allocation based on performance, across numerous inventory types in real time.
When we run your Connected TV/OTT strategies, it may include FAST TV (which would be classified as CTV if played on a television or OTT if the streaming is other devices). Our inventory selections are based on performance with Fluid Budgets dynamically allocated based on who the viewer is and the cost-effectiveness of the impression, not the inventory type specifically.