GO FAST!
The rise of FAST channels + formats from Japan and the Netherlands
AGT GOES FAST
The advent of FAST Channels is one of the most interesting (and important) transformations that the global media system is undergoing. As is well known, FAST stands for Free Ad-supported Streaming TV and these are linear streaming television channels offering free content supported by advertising. In practice, they are linear AVoD services rather than on-demand ones.
In terms of timing, we can safely say that FAST is a relatively recent phenomenon, even though the 'pioneer' Pluto was launched in 2013. The turning point for this new type of service was between 2019 and 2020: Viacom CBS acquired Pluto in 2019, and Fox Corporation acquired Tubi in 2020.
Since then, these channels have developed exponentially: the number has grown from around 100 in 2019 to over 1,600 in less than four years, as can be seen from the graph below, taken from the “White paper created by the European Consortium FAST4EU with 3Vision” (for further information on this topic, a copy of the white paper can be requested here). And this growth continues at a rapid pace.
Revenues are also extremely significant and are constantly increasing. They rose from just over $5 billion in 2023 to over $8 billion this year, according to Omdia, and are estimated to reach nearly $11 billion by 2029.
Within the vast array of FAST channels, three main groups (tiers) can be identified:
The first tier comprises original device manufacturers (OEMs: Original Equipment Manufacturer), such as Samsung, Vizio and LG. These companies offer their FAST services integrated into their devices. Distribution is limited, but they have the advantage of controlling the user interface.
Second tier: 'Media conglomerates', i.e. large media groups that own platforms and generally manage AVoD and other types of channels (e.g. Vix, Tubi, Peacock, etc.).
The third tier comprises traditional broadcasters / content giants that are increasingly entering this sector by offering FAST channels alongside their more traditional digital offerings.
When it comes to geographical distribution, the United States is clearly the primary home of this type of service, given that this viewing practice is already very popular there. According to a recent survey, almost one in three Americans (27% to be precise) watches at least one FAST channel every day (source: Evan Shapiro).
Although growth in the American market is slowing down as it is already mature, this is offset by the significantly better quality of the new channels entering the market. In the early years, the market was driven by aggregators and specialists (first and second tiers). Now, however, premium content owners are entering the market, many of whom already have a presence on traditional linear television channels (third tier), which has greatly raised the overall level of quality.
Confirming this trend, Fremantle is marking 20 years of America’s Got Talent with the launch of a new America’s Got Talent (AGT) FAST channel. The newly launched channel, which gives fans a dedicated place to relive two decades of moments from the show , is currently available on Prime Video, DirecTV, Sling TV, LG Channels and Xumo Play, with additional launches set for Samsung TV Plus, Google TV and Xfinity soon.
The AGT FAST channel celebrates the full spectrum of talent AGT has discovered over the years, with special themed segments dedicated to specific genres such as magicians, comedians, dancers, and more.
It's certain that FAST channels will leave an increasingly significant mark on the future media landscape. We'll find out how and when that happens soon.
JAPANESE WAVE
MipCom will officially begin on 13 October, with some formats being presented ahead of their official unveiling at the Palais. Among these, we would like to highlight three from Nippon TV:
Mega Catch is a game show from Gyokuro Studio in which players try to catch large objects without dropping them in order to win each round and claim a cash prize (pic).
Secret Little Assistant is a reality format that follows children as they sneak into their parents' workplaces and try to help out without getting caught.
In the reality game show Big Bad Bluff, classic fairy tales are transformed into twisted mind games. Contestants must bluff and outplay one another to win the prize money.
In addition to these, we would also like to highlight Match My Moves – Choreo Countdown. This was first broadcast as a segment on the popular Japanese primetime programme TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System Television), and was then redeveloped by London and Munich-based Seven.One International (owned by ProSiebenSat.1 Media).
It’s a dance competition in which teams, each comprising a celebrity captain and four professional dancers, must memorise the choreography of famous songs, both new and old, in just three minutes before performing in front of an audience. The performances are judged by a renowned choreographer who awards points based on the quality of the dance.
Years go by, but the Japanese wave of unscripted television is still going strong.
WATCH YOUR BVoD!
In the new media landscape, BVoD (Broadcasting Video on Demand: the broadcaster' official streaming platform) is essential for traditional players. The challenge is to make sure that they are not just places where you can watch programmes that have been broadcast on the linear channel, i.e. repositories or catch-up TV. They should be true alternative channels, complex digital ecosystems rich in interesting original content designed specifically for younger audiences (I have also discussed this here).
This is in line with the trend towards developing formats and programmes exclusively for one's own BVoD, as has been done by NPO Start, the Dutch public broadcaster's streaming platform, which will launch in early 2026 Watch Your Back, a psychological reality format and thrilling game of strategy and deception, that is currently in production. The format is co-created by Talpa Studios and U.S. reality powerhouse Kinetic Content (Love is Blind, Married at First Sight), in collaboration with Signal.Stream.
In Watch Your Back, twelve celebrities enter a mansion where they lose their name and fame and become just a number. That number is on their back, visible to everyone, except themselves. To stay in the game, the celebrities must uncover their own number – which changes in every episode. They can guess or form alliances and ask other contestants. But who can they trust? There’s only one place where the truth is undeniable: the Mirror Garden. Winning a challenge grants the ability to enter it and see your own back in the reflection. That knowledge shifts everything, because now one player knows not only their own number, but also who told them the truth, and who didn’t.
It's an interesting format that seems suitable for a young audience, which is exactly what you'd expect from this type of digital-only format.
NEWS IN A NUTSHELL
Telemundo has reached an agreement with RCN in Colombia, whereby the Colombian network has acquired the rights to adapt the format Miss Universe Latina: El Reality for broadcast in Colombia. This reality show was originally developed by Telemundo to select the first Miss Universe Latina to participate in the next Miss Universe pageant.
Prime Video has announced a spin-off of LOL in Mexico: LOL Buscando Talento: México (LOL: Looking for Talent: Mexico). This comedy talent show is open to all types of participants, who will compete for a place in the next season of LOL, which will also premiere in Mexico.
As part of the launch of the 10th season of Shark Tank Mexico, Shark Tank Mexico: Creators was announced, a project developed in collaboration with YouTube. Shark Tank Mexico: Creators seeks to promote entrepreneurship among content creators and support projects with a positive social impact.
Operación Triunfo, the Spanish-language show that attracted the most subscriptions to Amazon Prime Video in Spain, is returning to the streaming service in 2025. This time, the episodes will be longer and broadcast live in Latin America. OT 2025 will be the thirteenth edition of the format and the second for Prime Video. Unlike the first edition, which was only available in Latin America with a delay, this time its musical galas will be broadcast simultaneously in Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Peru and Colombia.
France’s TF1, Germany’s ProSieben/Joyn and Finland’s MTV3 have struck remake deals for Nation’s Dumbest, as distributor BBC Studios unveiled its format line-up for MipCom. Nation’s Dumbest was created by Norway’s Montreux Film and Fjernsyn for TV2 and TV2 Play in Norway. The format sees celebrities fighting it out across physical and mental challenges in a bid to be eliminated from the competition as quickly as possible to avoid being crowned the nation’s dumbest.
All3Media-owned Lion Television Scotland and the European second-hand marketplace Vinted are partnering to produce the competition series RE/Style.
The six-part series will be hosted by presenter and former model Emma Willis. It will feature eight emerging fashion designers from Italy, Spain, France and the UK who will compete to create capsule collections and catwalk-ready looks exclusively from second-hand items within six hours.
Can't Stop Media, the London-based distributor, is proud to announce a new partnership with AH! Production and Cyril Prod, to distribute the brand-new game show format Intuition internationally. The show will premiere in primetime on France 2 this Saturday, 13 September.
This MipCom, Keshet International will launch pre-sales for Secret Royal Homes, Yeti TV's access-all-areas guide to stately homes with royal secrets, hosted and narrated by Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville. Secret Royal Homes was originally pitched to KI by the Welsh production company as part of Greenlight, KI's Factual and Formats commissioning initiative.
CTV has renewed The Amazing Race Canada for a 12th season, with Jon Montgomery returning as host.
