The History of FAST Channels

Linear television, which is programming delivered on a fixed schedule, was standard in the earliest days of broadcast TV. Viewers tuned in at specific times for news, dramas, or variety shows, and the model worked because networks sold ads to pay the bills. You sat down, flipped channels with the remote, and watched what was on.

Cable deregulation in 1984 opened the floodgates. Suddenly, dozens of new networks could launch without the old restrictions, and channels like ESPN, CNN, MTV, and Nickelodeon filled the dial with niche programming aimed at specific audiences. The number of options exploded, and viewers got used to flipping between themed linear feeds all day and night.

By the early 2000s, the internet started chipping away at that model. YouTube arrived in 2005 and proved people would watch short videos online. Netflix shifted from mailing DVDs to streaming full seasons in 2007. At first, these services were very popular, because you could search for what you wanted and watch on your own schedule. But many viewers still missed the ease of turning on a channel and just letting it play.

The birth of modern FAST channels happened in 2014, when Pluto TV launched as one of the first platforms built specifically to deliver free linear channels over the internet. Founders Tom Ryan and others saw an opportunity in the growing number of cord-cutters who wanted TV without the cable bill. Instead of on-demand libraries alone, Pluto organized licensed content, like old movies, TV reruns, news clips, and even YouTube videos, into virtual channels that ran 24/7 on a schedule. You could tune in to a “comedy” channel or a “sci-fi” channel and watch whatever was airing, just like traditional TV, with ads inserted at natural breaks.

Cord-cutting became mainstream by 2018. At the same time, subscription streaming services like Netflix kept raising prices and focusing on expensive original series. Many people wanted an affordable or free option that still delivered the comfort of channel surfing. Platforms such as Tubi and The Roku Channel expanded their linear offerings dramatically.

As these platforms matured, they blended into the broader world of internet-delivered video. Linear channels became a natural extension of the apps already appearing on smart TVs, streaming sticks, and mobile devices. And content strategies evolved, too. Early FAST channels leaned heavily on nostalgia. As competition heated up, platforms invested in newer shows, originals, and even live events. Sports, news, and reality programming started appearing in linear slots.

Today, FAST channels number in the thousands across dozens of services. If you're a content creator, broadcaster, or organization with archives or original programming you'd like to turn into linear channels, the history of FAST shows the opportunity is wide open. Reach out to our team at Lightcast.com to get started.