Gracenote, the content data business unit of Nielsen, has released a new report providing data and insights on the changing state of free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) for distribution platforms and advertisers seeking to monetise consumer engagement with FAST programming.
According to the report, which is based on data from Gracenote’s own database, the number of active FAST channels in key markets including the U.S., UK, Germany and Canada have nearly doubled since mid-2023 to more than 1,610 today. Nearly three-fourths of the available FAST channels are in the U.S., the leading FAST market. Collectively, more than 178,000 unique programmes, episodes and movies are available on FAST channels.
A notable finding is that FAST channel content is no longer an archive of old content, with more than 70% of it produced since 2010.
Meanwhile, sports, reality and news/commentary programming make up the top three genres in FAST. Reality is the fastest-growing FAST channel genre with an increase of 626% from 19 to 138 channels since July 2024. The number of sports channels on FAST has more than doubled in the last year to 220 today.
Entertainment is the most common FAST channel genre, accounting for 303 channels. Gracenote defines the entertainment genre as TV programmes that are presented in a non-story-based format and usually filmed live in a studio.
Tim Cutting, Chief Revenue Officer at Gracenote, said: “FAST is in many ways a unique service, but its lifeblood is still content. So, programme-level metadata providing understanding of FAST content is more important than ever to audience engagement and advertising initiatives.”
The 2025 Gracenote FAST report is available for free here.
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
Canal+ launches AI-powered content search with OpenAI
To enable users to find content through natural language queries, the Canal+ app will roll out a search function powered by OpenAI technology in June 2026.
Documentary Film Council appoints Mandy Chang as CEO
The UK’s Documentary Film Council has named Mandy Chang as its first Chief Executive.
Head of Eurovision broadcaster ORF resigns
The Director General of Austrian national broadcaster ORF has resigned over allegations of sexual harassment, two months before the network is due to host the Eurovision Song Contest.
Sound body AMPS calls out impact of noisy LED film lighting
The Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS) has called on manufacturers and productions to consider the impact of noisy high-output LED film lighting on capturing performance on set.
BBC garners 47 nominations for Royal Television Society Programme Awards 2026
Ahead of the RTS Programme Awards 2026 on Tuesday 24 March, the BBC has received 47 nominations – leading the way across the 29 categories.
.jpg)
