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.
Reality
Curated reality channels finally buck the distribution trend with all of the top 10 on six or more platforms. A+E Networks accounts for three of these channels, but the most-distributed is the Reelz Famous & Infamous channel.
When it comes to single IP reality channels with wide distribution across the tracked services, five have the edge on the competition. Banijay Rights’ Fear Factor sits atop the pile, followed by BBC Studios’ Antiques Roadshow UK, Blue Ant Media’s Drag Race Universe, PBS’s PBS Antiques Roadshow (I guess there’s a lot of love for antiques) and Cheaters from FilmRise.
Documentary
I blended together curated and single IP channels for the documentary genre given how few channels saw availability on over five platforms. For the most-distributed channels across the overall genre, A+E Networks accounts for three channels with Hearst Media Production Group two.
Blue Ant Media’s Love Nature is the most-distributed channel, followed by Bloomberg Originals, BBC Earth (a notable feat given it launched only one year ago), SVOD upsell channel MagellanTV Now and PBS Nature. Nature also is very popular, which shows one of the strengths of FAST – there may be a nature show occasionally on cable TV but that’s it unlike FAST. One could also point to documentaries in general as there are few cable channels dedicated to them (Science is one which springs to mind) yet they are a popular genre on FAST but also SVOD.
All Other General Entertainment Genres
When looking across the myriad of other genres based on TV content, I went back to separating out curated and single IP channels. What is apparent is how multiple genres see leaders in distribution: food, true crime, game shows, automotive and home improvement all see multiple entries here.
When it comes to single IP channels across the other TV genres on FAST, a couple of operators see multiple entries: FilmRise, Banijay Rights, BBC Studios, Fremantle, A+E Networks and Shout! Studios. Popular genres for wide distribution include classic TV, westerns, family, true crime, food and game shows.