Can you name the key impacts of FAST’s recent growth in media and entertainment? FAST’s growth is revolutionising M&E, enabling direct TV access to those once dependent on third parties. Content owners can now reach viewers directly and at scale. Plus, content producers – like web and print publishers with sizeable video libraries – can use FAST channels to reach new audiences and create new business models. Which FAST tools or channels are you most excited about? We’re excited about bringing AI and machine learning to the FAST market Ahmed Swidan Ateme Director of personalised TV solutions
to personalise FAST channel schedules tailored to a viewer’s viewing habits. What are the key benefits to implementing FAST into your business strategy? Ateme provides solution for creating, delivering and monetising FAST channels; we believe in its potential. We offer a Personal FAST channels solution, helping FAST platforms personalise the channels to each viewer’s tastes. Why should M&E pay more attention to FAST? The M&E industry must prioritise FAST as it threatens the traditional MVPD model,
enabling content owners direct access to viewers on many devices, including Smart TVs. This shift will prompt major strategy changes for content owners globally. For example, content owners can use FAST to promote premium content and SVOD services, create pop-up channels or develop single-show channels. Other M&E players must be aware of these changes and prepare. What does the future hold for FAST? More content will be offered as FAST; sports leagues and rights holder will make more FAST channels; publishers will start making FAST channels; FAST platforms will grow in EMEA and APAC.
Valerio Motti Zixi Managing director, Europe
Can you name the key impacts of FAST’s growth in media and entertainment?
Guide personalisation, Cohort personalisation and 1:1 personalisation are transformative tools enabling tailored content and ads to viewers’ preferences and locations. Despite lacking traditional user login data, FAST navigates this by focusing on device, location or content consumption-level personalisation, enhancing the viewing experience and offering advertisers more targeting prospects. Furthermore, the rise of FAST drives the use of AI in content localisation, enabling channels to offer dubbed and subtitled versions of programming globally. What are the key benefits of implementing FAST into your business strategy? Incorporating FAST into a business strategy offers key benefits, like reaching an audience of cord-cutters, generating revenue from targeted advertising and leveraging data insights for content and ad optimisation. It’s appealing to M&E due to its low cost of operation – thanks to tech companies enabling content distribution via IP – allowing content
owners to create channels at a fraction of the cost of traditional channels. OEMs can develop new business models, some of which have exceeded $1 billion. Why should M&E pay more attention to FAST? M&E has already taken notice of FAST. Paramount acquired Pluto, Comcast acquired Xumo and Fox acquired Tubi. Particularly interesting is the recent acquisition of Vizio by Walmart as VIZIO WatchFree+ is one of the biggest FAST platforms in the US, representing a rapidly growing segment of the streaming market appealing to viewers and advertisers alike. FAST channels offer a unique opportunity for M&E companies to distribute content directly to consumers, experiment with new formats, and monetize library assets. What does the future hold for FAST? The FAST space will continue to grow and innovate, with more platform consolidation in the US, global platform launches, better content and ad tailoring, plus new tech-driven business models.
FAST’s expansion impacts the media sector, offering a new revenue stream alongside subscription and advertiser- supported video-on-demand platforms. It enables content producers to directly reach their target audience, bypassing traditional TV operators’ distribution barriers. Lower technology costs thanks to FAST facilitate niche channels, offering unique content otherwise too costly to distribute. It also drives advancements in programmatic advertising tech, allowing effective monetisation of streaming content and providing more detailed data on viewer consumption. Finally, it boosts global content distribution, making it easier for content to reach international audiences through localised versions. Which FAST tools or channels are you most excited about? FAST’s potential for personalisation and targeted advertising is one of its most exciting features. Channel Personalisation, Electronic Program
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