Free advertising-supported streaming television (FAST) is a category of streaming television services which offer traditional linear television programming ("live TV") and studio-produced movies without a paid subscription, funded exclusively by advertising akin to over-the-air or cable TV stations. Platforms following this model include Pluto TV, Rakuten TV, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Tubi, and Xumo. These services stand apart from platforms predominantly featuring user-generated content (like YouTube and Twitch), as well as from subscription-based services (like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix). The term was coined by Alan Wolk to differentiate the category.
The FAST ecosystem has several layers. The best-known FASTs are the aggregators, which fall into three categories.
These aggregators operate primarily in the United States as of 2022, though some, like Pluto TV, Plex, and Samsung TV Plus operate in additional countries or worldwide.
In addition to aggregator apps, there are FASTs run by a single provider such as E.W. Scripps' Scripps News, PocketWatch and FilmRise that also provide their content for use in linear channels on the aggregator apps.
Content on FAST services can potentially cover all television genres as well as movies, which are the most popular type of content on the FASTs. Content options can include original and/or archive programming not available through subscription streaming services. Although many FAST channels resemble traditional cable specialty channels, others may have an even narrower focus on a single program or media franchise (such as Sailor Moon, or the U.S. version of Fear Factor).
While some linear FAST channels are exclusive to specific platforms, others, such as Cheddar, Court TV, are distributed through multiple providers. Such shared channels may feature different content and presentation, or may feature less or more total commercials depending on the provider. FASTs owned by major media companies have the advantage of being able to leverage their parent companies extensive libraries.
Variety estimated that 1,455 linear channels were available through major FAST platforms as of June 2022. By May 2024, that number had risen to 1,943.
As per Nielsen's monthly streaming ratings for the US market, called "The Gauge", three of the FAST services were in the Top 10 of all streaming services in 2023. In the September 2023 ratings, Tubi, with 1.3% of viewing, ranked fifth among all streaming services, The Roku Channel, with 1.1% ranked seventh, and Pluto TV, with 0.8% ranked tenth.
In January 2024 over 1,500 FAST TV channels are currently in airing in the U.S. across various services.