TL;DR
- Tubi says it crossed 100M+ monthly active users and hit 1B+ viewing hours in May 2025 huge proof that viewers love free TV with ads. TubiTV Corporate
- Apple TV+ × Peacock launched a discounted bundle in Oct 2025 evidence that streamers are pairing up to fight churn. The Verge
- Spotify is debuting a free 24/7 TV channel (video podcasts from The Ringer) on Samsung TV Plus FAST isn’t just reruns anymore. TechRadar
- Prime Video’s ad tier reaches ~130M people in the U.S. and now serves up to ~6 minutes of ads/hour ad-supported viewing is mainstream. The Hollywood Reporter+1
- Nielsen says Tubi + Roku Channel + Pluto TV together grabbed 5.7% of total TV viewing in May 2025, FAST is no longer niche. Nielsen
What is FAST (and why is it everywhere)?
FAST = Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television. Think curated, always-on channels (news, sports talk, crime marathons, classic sitcoms) you can surf without paying a subscription. It feels like old-school TV, but inside modern apps and smart-TV menus. And in 2025, it’s booming.
- Scale check: Nielsen’s trending shows FAST services (Tubi, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV) are a meaningful slice of total TV time. Nielsen
- Engagement check: Tubi reports 100M+ MAUs and record viewing in mid-2025. TubiTV Corporate
Why viewers love it:
- Free. 2) Instant. 3) Cozy background TV—no endless scrolling.
The 2025 plot twist: bundles, ad loads, and “channels” inside apps
1) Bundles are back (and smarter)
Apple and NBCUniversal launched an Apple TV+ × Peacock bundle in the U.S. starting Oct 20, 2025, discounting both if you pair them. Expect more creative “duo” deals as platforms fight churn. The Verge
2) Ad tiers = the new default
Prime Video pushed most U.S. users to its ad tier in 2024; by May 2025 that tier had ~130M reach in the U.S., and reports in June noted ad loads rising to ~6 minutes/hour. Translation: ad-supported is now the norm, not the exception. The Hollywood Reporter+1
3) Not just reruns: original “channels”
Spotify is launching a free, 24/7 TV channel on Samsung TV Plus built around The Ringer’s video podcasts, sports, movies, pop culture showing FAST can be fresh, not just library loops. TechRadar
Who’s winning right now?
- Tubi: Leads FAST share in several recent studies and just keeps scaling. One analysis pegged top shares as Tubi (30%), Roku Channel (25%), Pluto (20%) among FAST viewers. THE MEASURE
- Peacock: Has a deep “Channels” hub and keeps experimenting with promos and partner deals that make it feel almost “FAST-ish” even as a paid service. NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA+1
- YouTube: Not a classic FAST app, but it’s where tons of free, ad-supported viewing happens daily plus live channels and rentals coexist under one roof.
What this means if you’re a viewer
- More free options on smart TVs and inside apps.
- Fewer decisions: channel surfing is back (in a good way).
- A bit more advertising: but smart platforms target 5–6 minutes/hour, which is lighter than cable ever was. Ars Technica
Pro tip: If you like live-ish background TV, try Peacock’s Channels hub or a big FAST app (Tubi, Pluto, The Roku Channel). It’s perfect for sports talk, true crime, sitcom comfort food, and news round-ups. NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA
What this means if you’re a creator or brand
- New distribution: FAST gives you 24/7 real estate without the pressure of weekly “drops.”
- Reach at scale: With Prime Video’s ad tier and FAST growth, ad-supported viewing is where the audience is heading. The Hollywood Reporter+1
- Experimentation: Spotify’s Ringer channel hints at niche, loyal communities turning into “always-on” TV. TechRadar
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