FAST TV: The End of Illusions — What Content Owners Must Know Before Choosing a Tech Provider by Yanai Arfi

FAST TV: The End of Illusions — What Content Owners Must Know Before Choosing a Tech Provider ✍️ By Yanai Arfi

More and more rights holders and content producers are jumping into the FAST TV gold rush. On paper, it seems simple: you own content, you pick a tech partner, launch a channel, get it distributed — and the ad revenue follows… right?

In theory, yes. In practice? Not quite.

🚨 The Industry Taboo: The Power of Established Names

Many companies still choose their tech partner based solely on brand recognition. Certain providers — having signed early exclusive integrations with Tier 1 platforms years ago — have positioned themselves as “preferred vendors” in the ecosystem. But that era is over. Today, even the biggest platforms — Samsung, LG, Amazon, Roku, Tubi and others — no longer have exclusive agreements with any one tech provider. Still, many content owners assume that choosing a popular name will guarantee their channel’s integration on Tier 1 platforms.

💰 The Shortcut Illusion

The real issue is that selecting a well-known tech provider is often seen as an end in itself — “If I choose the biggest name, my channel will succeed.” That’s a dangerous illusion.

Behind the scenes, the reality is this: The tech provider bills monthly, regardless of your channel’s performance. You're left alone to approach platforms. Each integration requires time, legal review, negotiation… and adds up in cost. And without viewers, there is no ad revenue to share. In short: the only one profiting from day one is the tech provider.

🧩 What Actually Drives FAST Channel Success

Success in FAST TV has nothing to do with the name of your tech partner.

What truly matters is:

Your editorial focus: genres like Sports, Cinema, Travel, and Kids consistently perform best.

Content quality and recency: fresh, recognizable titles make a difference.

Channel name clarity: keep it simple and self-explanatory. (Horror TV works better than Nights of Terror in the Haunted Castle.)

Your distribution strategy: finding the right platforms takes time, persistence, and contacts.

Monetization partner: your SSAI/DAI agency plays a huge role in actual revenue.

Playout costs: some pay $5,000/month with no ROI for several months...

And most importantly — brand recognition. If your IP is famous (CNN, Baywatch, The Asylum, etc.), it’s a game changer. Platforms will line up to take your channel.

🧠 What No One Talks About

Very few industry journalists dare to talk about this — and it’s no surprise. Most trade media rely (directly or indirectly) on the same major players and their advertising. But if you’re a content owner without global IP, it’s essential to understand: choosing a famous tech provider won’t guarantee your success.

🎯 Bottom Line

Launching a FAST channel is exciting — but it’s also a serious business venture with real costs, risks, and unknowns. Choosing a tech partner is important — but it’s not a magic bullet. Before signing anything, ask the real questions, challenge the hype, and build a plan based on your reality — not someone else’s promises.

✍️ Yanai Arfi

Founder & CEO, SoFast — Global Tech Provider & TV Channel Distributor