How to launch a FAST channel

A FAST channel as an effective method provides an enjoyable experience for viewers while also delivering the content that these companies want to share. In the following article we will explain to you what FAST channels are and why you should start using it.

A FAST channel is a free ad-supported streaming television channel. In short, it’s linear television without subscription which makes it attractive for more and more viewers. Hence, a FAST channel is a great way for broadcasters, publishers, and content owners to get started with a viewer friendly, engaging, and profitable channel. FAST channels are easy to set up and can be very cost effective. They offer a great way to reach a wide audience and generate revenue from advertising.

If you're a broadcaster, publisher or content owner, you know how important it is to keep your viewers engaged and coming back for more. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to keep them interested. That's where FAST channels come in. 

FAST channels are viewer friendly, engaging and profitable. They help you keep your audience hooked by providing a rich, immersive experience. And since they're built on the FAST platform, they're easy to use and highly scalable – so you can grow with your audience without having to worry about scalability issues.

FAST channels provide media companies with the opportunity to reach out to their audiences in a more viewer-friendly and engaging way. One of the main benefits of using a FAST channel is that it allows you to better understand the viewers’ preferences which enables you to personalize content accordingly. This can help increase engagement by providing viewers with what they want to watch.

In addition, FAST channels provide granular insights into the audience behavior. This data can be used to improve the overall viewing experience by creating customized playlists or recommending related videos based on user preferences. Moreover, these insights can help you identify trends in viewership which you can use to develop new strategies or even launch new products or services.

Re-use existing content that will be included in your channel's programming or obtain rights for additional content.

Decide on a playout automation software that schedules, plays, and manages your content on the cloud. The software should also be able to insert ads into the programming at designated intervals. With makalu, you can do just that.

Use video encoding and transcoding software to optimize your video content for streaming. An all-in-one cloud playout solution like makalu also takes care of these tasks.

Select a partner that will host your TV channel.

Develop a strategy for acquiring and inserting ads into your programming. This can include working with ad networks or directly with advertisers.

Build an audience for your channel by promoting it on social media through email marketing and other channels.

Monitor the performance of your channel and make adjustments as needed to optimize the viewer experience, ad revenue and channel performance.

When reaching out your audience, make sure your FAST channel is also profitable:

• Start with a niche audience in mind. It's much easier (and cheaper) to reach a small, targeted group of viewers than it is to try and attract everyone. 
• Make sure your content is engaging and informative. If viewers tune in and see nothing but ads, they're not going to stick around for long. 
• Keep an eye on your costs. Make sure you're not spending more money on production and distribution than you're making in ad revenue. By following these tips, you can make sure your FAST channel is both viewer-friendly and profitable.

Overall, FAST channels provide media companies with numerous advantages. By using a FAST channel, broadcasters can increase their audience reach while publishers and content owners can engage with their viewers on a more personal level. In addition, FAST channels are also more profitable for these groups, as they create advanced monetization opportunities and generate higher ad revenues.