Gracenote, the metadata subsidiary of Nielsen, has published its latest report on FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) trends, and while it’s loaded with self-serving insights, there are some nuggets of value buried in the noise. Let’s cut through the buzzwords and see what actually matters. There are now 1,610 active FAST channels, per Gracenote, a figure growing by 42% globally since mid-2023. Unsurprisingly, 73% of them are in the US. Other markets, including the UK, Germany, and Canada, are expanding, though they remain a fraction of the size. But sheer channel count doesn’t tell the full story. Today’s FAST platforms collectively host over 178,000 individual programs and movies, with some niche networks like Xumo offering 300+ titles per channel. But…