Google TV Adds Even More Channels
By Movieguide® Contributor
Google TV has added 10 new channels to its platform.
“The new channels are Cheaters, CBC News and Explore, Court TV Legendary Trials, Family Feud Classic, FilmRise Horror, FilmRise True Crime, Grit Xtra, Heartland, Laff More, Rig TV – with some coming from channel operators that already have a Google TV presence,” MSN reported.
As of August, Google has 136 FAST (Free, ad-supported TV) channels available for U.S. users. They can be found under the “Live” tab on Google TV.
“Google launched free, ad-supported TV (FAST) channels on Google TV last year. The arrival brought about 80 channels to start, with the number growing steadily in the time since. By the end of 2023, it was approaching 120 different channels,” 9to5Google reported.
FAST TV has been a successful and cheaper alternative to streaming networks and is gaining popularity.
Deadline recently reported, “Free, ad-supported streaming television continues to be on a growth trajectory, once again rivaling its premium subscription counterparts in June…The obvious answer to the success of the FAST channels is that they are free, which is very enticing to consumers with the rising cost of every premium service, but there are also several other universal truths that these platforms have acknowledged (and built their platforms on) that have contributed to this growth.”
“What FASTs are ultimately proving in the wake of Netflix’s success is that the product and viewing experience matters as much, if not more, than the content being watched,” said Andrew Rosen, founder of streaming newsletter PARQOR. “FASTs are increasingly winning because they are products first, and walled gardens for content last.”
The rising costs of streamers also make FAST options more appealing. Movieguide® reported:
On average, Americans spend $46 per month on streaming. This adds up quickly, depending on whether you opt for subscribing to streamers’ ad-free or ad-supported tiers.
For example, Netflix with ads is just $6.99 per month. Without, though, subscriptions can range from $15.49 to $22.99 or more, depending on if you add extra users. Throw a few other subscriptions in there, and you reach $46 per month.
However, it’s also no surprise that in this climate of inflation, “45% have canceled a streaming subscription within the last year because costs were too high.”
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