FAST channels are having a moment. But are they addressing the needs of the most dedicated audience members?
A recent white paper from Whip Media shows that the number of Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) channels in the US has increased 81% in the last year. And in the hustle of the “FAST & AVOD Gold Rush,” Black audiences are driving adoption – over-indexing on consumption, but underserved by content and platform.
This time last year, Variety followed up on their 2022 study showing that Black audiences were underserved by FAST channels. The 2023 results? Still underwhelming. While 60% of Black consumers watch Black-focused content weekly, just 2% of FAST channels were targeted at Black audiences.
In other words, just 2% of all FAST channels are targeted toward the needs and viewing interests of 45 million Black Americans.
Related Article: The History of FAST Channels
