By Sampath Mallidi, CEO of Revidd. Updated November 2026.
Short answer: a FAST channel is a linear channel delivered over the internet. You still have a schedule, a guide and ad breaks. What changes is how the channel reaches viewers, what you need to run it, and who you depend on to get found.
TL;DR
Same idea: a scheduled channel that plays all day.
Different delivery: apps and connected TVs instead of cable, satellite or antenna.
Different setup: cloud playout and an online guide instead of racks of hardware.
You can run both. Many broadcasters keep their linear channel and add FAST next to it.
What is the difference between a FAST channel and a linear TV channel?
FAST stands for free, ad supported streaming TV. Linear TV is the channel you already know: a fixed schedule on cable, satellite or over the air.
Here is how they line up.
Linear TV channel | FAST channel | |
|---|---|---|
Schedule | Fixed grid, program after program | Fixed grid, program after program |
Delivery | Broadcast, cable or satellite | Streamed to apps and connected TVs |
Viewer pays | Depends: a pay TV bundle, or free over the air | Nothing to watch |
Guide | Carried on the distributor's guide | Online guide (EPG) you publish |
Playout | Broadcast hardware or a playout service | Cloud playout |
Content | Live and recorded | Live and recorded |
The first row is the point. The viewer sees a channel either way. The work behind it is what moves.
Is FAST just linear TV over the internet?
Mostly, yes. The trade site The Broadcast Bridge says FAST "feels like a new name for Linear TV, just delivered over the internet" rather than over cable or antenna networks. You can read it in FAST vs. Linear TV: What Are The Real Differences?. It also notes that a FAST channel can mix live and recorded content and runs on an edited schedule, just like a linear channel.
For a broadcaster that is good news. The skills you have are the skills FAST needs: building a schedule, keeping a channel full, and keeping a clean look and sound.
Two things are new. First, you need a guide that streaming apps can read. Second, ad breaks need markers so your ad partners know where to fit ads. Revidd supports SCTE-35 markers for your ad partners.
What do you need to turn a linear channel into a FAST channel?
Start with what you already own.
A library. Shows, news, archive, or a mix. If you have no library yet, start with turning a video library into a FAST channel.
A schedule. Your existing grid is a fine starting point. Revidd has a FAST Program Manager and an EPG for building and publishing it.
A way to play it out. Revidd supports playout, restream and embed channels. If you already have a live feed, you can restream it. If not, you can build the channel from your library.
Somewhere to watch it. Revidd includes native apps for Roku, Samsung, LG, Vizio, Apple TV, Fire TV and Android TV, plus mobile and web. Apps can be ready in as little as 1 to 2 weeks, plus store review, which Revidd does not control.
A plan for gaps. Revidd has a Rescue Playlist for gaps in your schedule.
You do not need an engineering team on your side. For a longer walk through the steps, see how to launch a FAST channel.
Should a TV station run FAST next to its linear channel?
Many broadcasters replace nothing. They keep the linear channel and add a streaming channel for viewers who do not have cable or an antenna. The Broadcast Bridge makes the same call: it expects the industry to invest in FAST as part of a blend of ways to reach viewers.
Local stations are a clear case. Our guide for stations is here: how local TV stations launch a FAST channel. If you want a channel that runs around the clock, read about 24/7 linear channels for TV stations.
How is a FAST channel different from on demand streaming?
A FAST channel plays on a schedule. On demand lets viewers pick. Most broadcasters want both, which is why Revidd runs VOD, live and FAST from one platform. We cover that split in FAST vs traditional OTT.
When is another option better?
Be honest about what you need.
If you only want your channel on Samsung TV Plus, Pluto or Roku Channel, Revidd is not the tool. Revidd runs your branded FAST channel inside your own apps. It does not place your channel on third party FAST services. Vendors such as Amagi and Wurl specialise in that kind of distribution, and you should talk to them.
If you already have a cable or satellite deal that covers your audience, adding FAST may not be your first move.
If you only need a single live event, you may not need a channel at all.
FAQ
What is the difference between a FAST channel and a linear channel?
Delivery. Both follow a schedule. A linear channel reaches viewers through broadcast, cable or satellite. A FAST channel is streamed to apps and connected TVs, and viewers watch for free.
Is FAST linear TV?
Close to it. A FAST channel has a schedule, a guide and ad breaks, so it feels like linear TV. It is delivered over the internet instead of a broadcast network.
Can a TV station run a FAST channel and a linear channel together?
Yes. Broadcasters often keep their linear channel and add a streaming channel. You can use your existing schedule as a starting point.
What do I need to start a FAST channel?
A library or a live feed, a schedule, a way to play it out, and apps where people can watch. Revidd covers playout, the guide and native apps in one platform.
Does Revidd get my channel onto Samsung TV Plus, Pluto or Roku Channel?
No. Revidd runs your channel in your own branded apps. For placement on third party FAST services, talk to a distribution specialist.
Want to see how it works for your channel? Request a demo. You can also read about the Revidd FAST channels platform and playout and EPG.
Revidd powers streaming that reaches more than 38 million viewers and 5.2 million monthly active viewers across 15 countries.
