Observed Signal · Nov 30, 2025 · Product Launch · Source: State of Streaming · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
DirecTV Adds Seven FAST Channels to MyFree DirecTV
DirecTV expanded its free ad-supported streaming service MyFree DirecTV with seven new FAST channels, timed to the platform’s one-year anniversary. The additions increase sports and entertainment offerings: NBA FAST, Red Bull TV, DAZN Ringside and Pursuit UP join the sports lineup, while a content partnership with AMC Networks brings Portlandia, All Reality WeTV and programming from The Walking Dead Universe. The move is positioned as a strategic effort by the legacy pay-TV provider to grow its ad-supported audience, convert casual viewers, and better compete with FAST rivals such as Pluto TV and Tubi. DirecTV and AMC Networks formalized the agreement in a recent SEC filing that details the business terms of the expanded streaming relationship.
Incremental but relevant expansion in the FAST/CTV market — strengthens DirecTV’s ad-supported offering and highlights content-owner pivots (AMC), affecting competition among FAST platforms and advertisers buying CTV inventory.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- DirecTV added seven new FAST channels to its MyFree DirecTV service.
- New sports channels include NBA FAST, Red Bull TV, DAZN Ringside and Pursuit UP.
- AMC Networks partnership contributes Portlandia, All Reality WeTV and The Walking Dead Universe content.
- The expansion coincides with MyFree DirecTV’s one-year anniversary.
- DirecTV and AMC Networks formalized the streaming partnership in an SEC filing.
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Roku Adds 7 Free Live Channels to The Roku Channel
Roku expanded The Roku Channel’s free, ad-supported offering by adding seven new live channels to Roku TVs and Roku players. The additions — spanning sports (World Surf League), history (History Untold), drama (Third Watch), talk (Nosey Daytime Talk), Alaska-focused outdoors (All Out Alaska), extreme-lifestyle programming (Extreme Living) and basketball entertainment (Jesser) — aim to broaden content variety, boost engagement and strengthen Roku’s AVOD inventory amid industry growth in free streaming alternatives. The update is available directly on Roku devices and reinforces The Roku Channel’s role as a FAST/AVOD destination.
Cord Cutters Shift to Free FAST Streaming
A survey of more than 1,200 U.S. cord cutters shows a growing shift away from multiple paid streaming subscriptions toward free, ad-supported FAST services. Respondents reported smaller paid lineups — 53.1% pay for three or fewer services, 67.4% for four or fewer, and 78.8% for five or fewer — while 9% pay for no TV streaming services at all and 21% pay for one or fewer. The move toward free platforms such as Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel is driving FAST growth and prompting major media companies (reportedly including Disney) to consider ad-supported free tiers. The trend reflects subscription fatigue, cost sensitivity, and an increasing role for ad-supported monetization in streaming distribution and viewer discovery.
Vodafone expands GigaTV FAST channel offering with 13 new channels
Vodafone has expanded its GigaTV platform with 13 new free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels, bringing the total to 23. The new lineup includes offerings from ARD Plus (a WDR Mediagroup subsidiary), provided via partner High View, such as ARD Plus Krimi, ARD Plus Lindenstraße, and ARD Plus Zoo, plus ZDF kocht, Spiegel TV Konflikte, Top True Crime, 5-Minute Crafts, scooore, Landlust, Curiosity Now, Naruto, Marco Polo TV, and Talk?Now!. AMC Stories and Dating hinter Gittern from AMC Global Media Central Europe will be added shortly. The channels are available on GigaTV Home and GigaTV Home Sound TV boxes, offering a curated, linear-like viewing experience without subscription. Vodafone aims to strengthen GigaTV as a central entertainment platform with a wider and more diverse program.
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