DirecTV is getting into the FAST channel business — no satellite dish necessary.
The satellite-TV service is launching a free, ad-supported streaming platform called MyFree DirecTV. It’s slated to go live on Nov. 15 with programming that includes a host unscripted shows from A+E Networks — Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Ice Road Truckers and The First 48 among them — and other titles. DirecTV, which recently announced its intent to acquire rival satellite service Dish, will offer “curated” FAST channels and a large on-demand library as it looks to earn a piece of the growing FAST market. It will launch as a mobile app and on select streaming devices and smart TVs.
The FAST service will also integrate DirecTV’s “Your TV” content aggregation, which puts users’ most watched and recently viewed shows front and center.
“DirecTV envisions a brighter TV future that offers consumers quality content with more choice and more control at the right value. The launch of MyFree DirecTV will do just that,” Amy Leifer, chief ad sales officer at DirecTV Advertising, said in a statement. “We’re laser-focused on strengthening our investment in this area as we empower our advertising clients to reach new audiences with targeted and contextual solutions and innovative ad formats.”
Kent Rees will be general manager of MyFree DirecTV. He comes over from Dish, where he led the expansion of Sling’s FAST service, Freestream. Prior to that he was chief marketing officer and GM of FAST Studios.
The FAST market is a burgeoning business, with big players like Fox’s Tubi and the Roku Channel regularly commanding a measurable presence in Nielsen’s monthly platform rankings. FAST services are forecast to draw about $8 billion in ad revenue for 2024 as a whole.