The Most Distributed TV-Based FAST Channels
FAST Channel Distribution in April 2024 for Drama, Comedy, Reality, Documentary and Other Genres
A key metric of interest among those in the FAST industry is distribution as this can be used to some degree as a barometer of consumer interest, at least for independent third-party channels. (Owned-and-operated channels play by different rules, with either zero off-platform distribution or limited).
For that reason, I have dived into the FASTMaster database to pull out some highlights for key genres within TV-based content (also known as General Entertainment channels when I am collating my stats), splitting out all other than Documentary by single IP and curated channels.
The services used in this analysis were: CW, Freevee, Google TV, LG Channels, Local Now, News by Fire TV, Peacock, Plex, Pluto TV, Redbox Watch Free, Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Sling Freestream, STIRR, Tubi, Vix, Vizio WatchFree+, Xumo Play. Thus the figures here are not the full number of platforms a channel is available on, just the major and medium platforms I have access to and am able to sanely track whilst working a full-time job and being a parent.
Drama
Looking first at curated drama channels, Electric Entertainment’s ElectricNow is the most distributed channel within the category, with 11 services. What is apparent here, and something you’ll see throughout this analysis, is that very few channels within a particular genre/channel type have a high distribution figure. For curated dramas, only four channels are on more than five tracked platforms.
When looking at single or dual-IP channels, the same pattern emerges. Four channels, led by Fremantle’s Baywatch and followed by Midsomer Murders (All3Media), Degrassi: The Next Generation (WildBrain) and The Walking Dead Universe (AMC Networks) are available on more than five tracked FAST services.
Comedy
When looking at curated comedy FAST channels based on TV content, LOL! Network from Hartbeat Entertainment and FailArmy from Trusted Media Brands are the only tracked brands to see double-digit distribution. Comedy Dynamics from Cineverse and Laff More! from Scripps Networks also see strong distribution levels.
Kind of wild that this pattern of four channels on over five services keeps repeating by genre/channel type. For single or dual-IP channels (I think I should do an article solely on dual-IP channels before anyone else can lay a claim to it), Lionsgate has two channels with high distribution—Anger Management and Are We There Yet?—but Always Funny, based on America’s Funniest Home Videos has the greatest distribution.
Below we will dive into reality, documentary and the collation of all other genres.
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