As the name suggests, FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming Television) channels involve viewers watching free content supported by advertisements. The popularity of FAST is surging for numerous reasons. Firstly, it’s free and it doesn’t require a subscription commitment, cable or satellite equipment. Moreover, it offers diversified content choices for nearly any viewer segment, whether mainstream or niche. Most FAST services offer a plethora of linear channels with a huge selection of pre-programmed content, including movies, news channels, TV series, talk and reality shows, and so much more.
This explosive growth of FAST services and channels has amped up an already highly competitive video market. So, how do you brand a FAST channel to achieve maximum results?
Here are five secrets to get you on your way:
- Gain instant recognition:
With effective, unique and creative branding, there is an opportunity to grow channel awareness and recall. Impactful branding will have viewers instantly recognizing your FAST channel brand and seeking it out when making their viewing decisions. - Stand out from the crowd:
Over the last couple of years, the FAST environment has rapidly expanded, with a slew of U.S. service provider options, along with over 1,000 channels. Distinguishing your channel from the competition is more important than ever, and more difficult as well. A strong branding strategy will help your channel stand out from the crowd. - Promote the channel and its changing video content:
With On-Demand content seemingly available at every turn, some viewers long for the ‘simpler’ days of tuning into a channel, sitting back, relaxing, and watching the pre-programmed content served up to them. Plus, FAST offers the ever-popular consumer benefit of being free, with no subscription required. A well-branded FAST channel can itself be a promotional strategy that responds to the changing video marketplace and keeps viewers engaged. - Attract new viewers:
With the promising future of FAST, media distributors have a massive opportunity to explore and capitalize upon new revenue streams and reach a new digital audience base. A strong, engaging and consistent brand presence can help steer new audiences to your FAST channel. - Maintain customer loyalty:
FAST is known for improving the viewer experience. And providing personalized content to an audience helps service providers increase their total number of viewers and keep them coming back for more. Viewers are more likely to remain loyal to a channel brand that they like and that stands out from the multitude of available FAST channel options.
In short, FAST channels require customized and ongoing branding and promotion to be easily identifiable, stand out from the crowd, attract new viewers, and retain existing ones. To learn how VUBIQUITY can assist you in providing world-class branding and promotions for your FAST channels, please CLICK HERE.