FAST Is Booming: Why Free TV Channels Are the Hottest Streaming Trend of 2025

TL;DR

• FAST (Free Ad-Supported TV) keeps growing in 2025, with Pluto TV, Tubi and The Roku Channel now a meaningful share of total TV viewing. Nielsen
• Amazon folded Freevee into Prime Video’s “Watch for Free” hub, making FAST easier to find inside one app. TechCrunch+1
• India’s connected-TV FAST scene is heating up via Samsung TV Plus with new Warner Bros. Television and ETV channels. Samsung Global Newsroom+1

What is FAST (and why is everyone watching it)?

FAST channels are free, scheduled, ad-supported streams, think classic cable-style channels delivered over the internet. No logins, no monthly bill; you just pick a channel and watch. Viewers like zero friction + 24/7 lean-back. Platforms love steady ad revenue, and libraries get a new lease on life.

In May 2025, Nielsen highlighted that Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi collectively accounted for 5.7% of total TV viewing, a significant milestone that demonstrates FAST is now an integral part of everyday TV habits. Nielsen

Big 2025 moves you should know

1) Amazon simplifies: Freevee → Prime Video

Amazon shut down the Freevee app and moved its free shows and live channels inside Prime Video, so users have one place to watch, paid or free. Look for the “Watch for Free” rail in the app. TechCrunch+1

2) Public service TV joins the party

PBS rolled out free FAST channels inside Prime Video in early 2025, a signal that even prestige public media wants FAST reach. The Verge

3) India’s FAST surge on smart TVs

On Samsung TV Plus (India), Warner Bros. Television launched five Hindi FAST channels (true-crime, food, wildlife, and more) and ETV added four regional channels—evidence of rapid local language-first expansion. Samsung Global Newsroom+1

Who’s winning right now?

• Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel: the big three by usage and awareness in the West, driving that 5.7% share. Nielsen
• Samsung TV Plus: fast global growth with hundreds to thousands of channels across regions (and prominent in India). FreeRDPs
• Prime Video (Free): consolidating Freevee content into a simpler, bigger FAST shelf. TechCrunch+1

Why viewers love FAST (in simple words)

• Free: no subscription needed.
• Easy: channel up, channel down, no decision fatigue.
• Comfort: curated marathons (crime, comedy, retro classics) you can leave on all evening.
• Discovery: stumble into shows you wouldn’t pick in a menu.

How does this change the streaming business?

• Ad dollars shift: Brands get TV-style reach with digital targeting; platforms get fresh revenue “on top” of subscriptions. (Paramount repeatedly flags Pluto TV as a growth engine alongside Paramount+.) StreamTV Insider+1
• Library gold rush: Old shows find new life as 24/7 themed channels (e.g., sitcom blocks, mystery marathons).
• Super-apps: Expect more everything-in-one experiences like Prime Video merging free and paid tiers. TechCrunch

FAST in India: what to watch for next

• More Hindi/regional channels on Samsung TV Plus and other OEM platforms (LG Channels, etc.). Samsung Global Newsroom
• Sports Lite: highlights and shoulder programming as rights holders experiment with free reach.
• Local ad innovation: sharper targeting and shoppable ads as CTV scale grows.

Quick viewer guide: How to start watching FAST today

1. On your smart TV or phone: open Prime Video → “Watch for Free”, or launch Tubi / Pluto TV / The Roku Channel where available. TechCrunch+1
2. On Samsung TVs in India: open Samsung TV Plus, you’ll see new WBT and ETV channels right in the guide. Samsung Global Newsroom+1
3. Tip: Use voice search (“crime channel”, “food channel”) to jump straight to themed channels.