• by Wayne Friedman , Yesterday

A number of new FAST channel efforts are launching -- with the hope of capitalizing on a mature streaming market, with ever higher consumer monthly subscription prices.

Telemundo, the NBCUniversal-owned Spanish-language media business, started up Telemundo Deportes Ahora Thursday --  a free-ad-supported streaming service (FAST).

Initially, the channel -- with more than 50 hours of new and original content each week -- will debut on Peacock, the bigger NBCU streamer, as well as the NBC News FAST hub and Telemundo.com, and will be offered on Comcast/Charter's streaming app store, Xumo Play. 

Highlighting this effort will be selective live sporting events including soccer/fútbol -- featuring shows such as “Fútbol MX and “Fútbol US Soccer,” as well as live sports from Básquetbol LATAM, MMA events, Bare-Knuckle Boxing, and Pro-Paddle League.

According to a 2024 LG Ad Solutions survey, Hispanic audiences have a strong preference for FAST Channels -- with almost 70% saying they prefer streaming free video content with ads instead of paying for a subscription without ads. 

In related news, TV set manufacturer Hisense has launched a free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service called Hisense Channels, which offers over 200 premium channels on Hisense smart TVs. 

The service is backed by Comcast/Charter Communications’ Xumo joint venture called Xumo Enterprise --  which provides content makers, distributors and advertisers with tools for developing FAST channels and content.

Hisense has an existing partnership with Xumo in terms of Xumo's smart TV operating system deployed on some Hisense TV models with the Xumo TV brand name. 

Hisense now joins other TV manufacturers that have launched their own FAST channels, including Samsung, LG and Vizio.

Hisense FAST channels will also be available on Hisense Google TVs.