Tag: FAST

Samsung TV Plus to Be Exclusive MotoAmerica Race FAST Channel Home for 2026-27

Samsung TV Plus will be the exclusive FAST channel home for live MotoAmerica races for the 2026-27 seasons, the streaming service announced.

Samsung TV Plus and V10 Entertainment have unveiled a partnership with MotoAmerica that will bring viewers every live race and coverage of the seasons.

The 84th running of the Daytona 200 kicks off March 6 on the Samsung TV Network (STN), followed by the debut of MotoAmericaTV, the exclusive Samsung FAST destination slated to launch later this spring. The 24/7 channel will present 200-plus hours of North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series and premium race content, as well as live event streams, full race replays, select practice sessions and qualifiers, and complete race coverage. For the first time ever, every class will be televised, including an all-women’s class and the MotoAmerica premier Superbike class, which is celebrating 2026 as the pinnacle of 50 years of production-based motorcycle racing. Viewers can also catch select live races on STN throughout the season.

“The most enduring sports racing segments are driven, literally and figuratively, by passionate fans. This launch, along with our partnership with MotoAmerica and V10, marks an exciting expansion into new sports franchises with millions of viewers,” Salek Brodsky, SVP and global head of Samsung TV Plus, said in a statement. “As Samsung TV Plus continues to broaden its live sports portfolio, this new content strengthens our lineup by providing an immersive, accessible, and dedicated destination for motorcycle racing.”

The new destination will also deliver a look at behind-the-scenes content and a library of archival videos, including highlight reels. MotoAmerica’s 2026 season will span 10 race weekends from March through September across seven premier classes and 10 states, with events held at legendary circuits, including Daytona International Speedway, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and the Circuit of The Americas.

“Having a company like Samsung get behind MotoAmerica is significant for our continued growth and provides a unique opportunity, beginning with the Daytona 200, to bring MotoAmerica to the Samsung TV Plus audience of more than 100 million monthly users,” Chuck Aksland, COO of MotoAmerica, said in a statement. “MotoAmerica premier live races will take center stage on the Samsung TV Network, marking an exciting new chapter for the sport. This is a defining moment for our series, for motorcycle racing, and for the next generation of riders and fans alike.”

Full MotoAmerica Race Schedule:

  • March 5-7: Daytona International Speedway*
  • April 17-19: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
  • May 15-17: Barber Motorsports Park
  • May 29-31: Road America
  • June 26-28: Ridge Motorsports Park
  • July 10-12: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
  • July 31-Aug 2: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
  • Aug 14-16: Virginia International Raceway
  • Sept 11-13: Circuit of The Americas
  • Sept 25-27: New Jersey Motorsports Park

 

*The Daytona 200 will be available to watch on STN with subsequent races also available on MotoAmericaTV.

In 2025, MotoAmerica closed out its most successful season to date, with a surge in linear-TV viewership, as well as more than 2.5 million digital video views and a social following of more than 4 million fans. Its live-event races brought in more than 400,000 enthusiasts across 12 events, including a record-setting crowd at Road America.  MotoAmerica brings to audiences more than 100 live races across seven premier classes, including Superbike, Supersport, King of the Baggers, Twins Cup, Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race., the Super Hooligan National Championship, and the newly launched Talent Cup.

MotoAmerica is the latest addition to Samsung TV Plus’s lineup of live events from sports leagues, including the NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL and FAST-exclusive MLV coverage. Samsung TV Plus, which recently surpassed 100 million monthly active users, offers more than 4,300 channels globally, subscription-free, and is available in 30 countries exclusively across Samsung TVs, Samsung Galaxy phones, XR headsets, Galaxy Tab, Smart Monitor and Family Hub lineups. This includes the new 2026 TV series announced earlier this year at CES, spanning Samsung Micro RGB TV, Neo QLED, OLED, The Frame, The Frame Pro and more.

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Samsung TV Plus in New FAST Partnership With Major League Volleyball

Major League Volleyball and Samsung TV Plus have announced a new partnership, naming the service as the exclusive FAST home for select league matches on Samsung TV Network (STN), Samsung TV Plus’ flagship channel.

While the 2026 MLV season is already underway, the collaboration officially launches Feb. 15 when Samsung TV Plus will livestream its first league matchup between the San Diego Mojo and Indy Ignite at 3 p.m. ET. MLV matches will livestream on the FAST service throughout the season, with the full schedule to be announced at a later date.

Samsung TV Plus recently surpassed 100 million monthly active users.

“Samsung’s leadership and ambition in technology and streaming makes them an ideal partner as we continue to build the premier professional league,” Ben Priest, MLV board of directors co-chair, said in a statement. “Together, we are committed to creating a dynamic, accessible and unforgettable experience for volleyball fans everywhere and accelerating the growth of Major League Volleyball in a bold, modern way on Samsung TV Plus.”

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Roku Posts $80.5 Million Quarterly Profit Turnaround, Ups Platform Streaming Hours to 145.6 Billion

Roku Feb. 12 reported net income of $80.5 million on revenue of $1.22 billion in the fourth quarter (ended Dec. 31, 2025). That compared with a net loss of $35.5 million on revenue of $1 billion in the prior-year period.

Streaming hours in 2025 on the Roku platform across myriad streaming sites increased 15% to 145.6 billion hours, from 126.6 billion hours in 2024.

Roku’s platform segment, which includes access to third-party streaming services such as Netflix, grew quarterly revenue 18% to $1.22 billion, from $1.03 billion in the previous-year period. For the full year, platform revenue also rose 18% to $4.15 billion, from $3.5 billion a year before, driven by continued strength in video advertising and streaming services distribution activities.

Roku said platform traffic increased in part due to the launch of “The Roku Experience,” which encompasses the full suite of features designed to engage TV viewers and simplify content discovery through the power of AI and its first-party data.

“This year, we will launch ‘Home Screen’ enhancements to further elevate the streaming experience, driving both deeper engagement and
increased platform monetization,” CEO Anthony Wood and CFO/COO Dan Jedda wrote in the shareholder letter.

According to Nielsen, The Roku Channel was the No. 2 free, ad-supported streaming app (second to YouTube) and the No. 5 streaming app overall
in the United States in December. The Roku Channel hit an all-time high, representing 6.3% of all TV streaming, up from 4.6% a year ago, according to Nielsen.

Devices revenue, which includes streaming sticks and Roku TVs, increased 3% to $171 million in Q4, from $166 million in the previous-year period, and $592 million for the full fiscal year, flat from 2024.

“Driven by our brand and strategic partnerships with OEMs and retail distributors, we expect to continue growing streaming households in all our locations,” Wood and Jedda wrote. “We remain on track to achieve a significant milestone of 100 million streaming households globally in 2026.”

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Philo Adds ‘CBS News,’ ’48 Hours,’ ‘Martha Stewart,’ ‘Emeril Lagasse’ to FAST Channel Lineup

Streamer Philo has announced the addition of four new FAST channels to its lineup of free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels accessible without the need for a subscription or credit card: “CBS News 24/7,” true crime “48 Hours,” “The Martha Stewart Channel” and “The Emeril Lagasse Channel.”

Philo, which offers a “core package” online pay-TV line-up of 70 channels (including ad-supported HBO Max) for $33 a month ($25 for the first month), just added “WEST: Western Entertainment Series Television,” featuring classic Western TV shows such as “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza,” among others.

Viewers can access more than 120 free channels via the Philo app on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung and LG, among others, or directly on the web.

While no account is necessary to watch, users who register with an email (no credit card required) get access to 30-day DVR for free content. Registered free users also benefit from watch history syncing and the ability to make “favorite” channels for a personalized guide.

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Cineverse Launches Matchpoint ‘Creative Labs’ for FAST, Streaming Services

Cineverse Feb. 9 announced the launch of Matchpoint Creative Labs (MCL), the Los Angeles-based distributor’s new in-house agency to support the growing demands of connected TV (CTV), free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels, and streaming services.

MCL will be focused on producing video advertising for CTV, as brands continue to shift budgets away from static display and toward streaming environments.

According to recent research from MNTN, the CTV ad spend is forecast to top linear TV for the first time by 2028, reaching nearly $46 billion. Nielsen reports that 66% of marketers planned to increase their OTT/CTV spend in 2025 compared to 44% in 2024.

Operating within the Cineverse Technology Group, MCL is designed to help advertisers and channel operators by combining creative direction, design and production with modern, technology-enabled workflows that allow campaigns to scale cost-effectively.

MCL also creates motion-first creative across a wide range of use cases, including on-air promotional spots, channel IDs, branding packages, and visual assets for special channel stunts.

These services are being deployed across Cineverse’s owned and/or operated streaming properties, and are now available to external and third-party partners, including brands and streaming services. MCL is expected to generate more than $4.5 million in revenue in its first year.

“As FAST and streaming services continue to scale, the need for high-quality on-air creative has become critical, but the traditional broadcast model simply doesn’t exist for many of these operators,” Tony Huidor, president of technology and chief product officer at Cineverse, said in a statement.

The Creative Labs unit blends traditional creative development, storyboard design, and human-led scriptwriting with gen AI-enabled workflows that allow motion-based creative to be developed, versioned and deployed quickly across ad campaigns and streaming channels.

It will initially be utilized across Cineverse’s streaming networks, including Screambox (horror), RetroCrush (classic anime) and the Dove Channel (women’s entertainment).

“With the launch … Cineverse extends its capabilities beyond entertainment technology and into the creative services ecosystem,” added Michele Edelman, EVP technology and GM of Matchpoint.

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Roku: 60% of U.S. Households Watch FAST Channels

New research from Roku and Horizon Futures Group shows that free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) is reshaping how TV viewers engage with content in a new, cable-like experience and what this means for advertisers.

The study, based on Roku’s proprietary viewership data spanning 90 million households alongside surveys of 1,500 streamers, found that adoption of FAST has increased dramatically in recent years.

Today, more than half (57%) of households that were streaming only ad-free in 2020 now watch FAST content. 

Roku, which operates the FAST-based The Roku Channel, defines FAST as free, live streaming content delivered on a schedule in a familiar, electronic programming guide format within streaming apps. 

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Among the findings:

  • If FAST viewership across all channels were aggregated into a single app, it’d be the fourth largest by reach on Roku.
  • Since 2020, FAST viewing on the Roku Channel has seen hockey stick growth, 262 times relative to the overall TV streaming market (reinforcing Roku’s claim in its 2026 Predictions report that 100% of audiences will see video ads this year.).
  • Survey respondents says FAST delivers more premium content than linear TV. Half of them also say that FAST has personal favorites they like to watch repeatedly — their top marker for premium content.    
  • The report found that FAST is now mainstream: 64% of U.S. Roku households stream FAST, and if FAST viewing were aggregated into a single app, it would already rank as the fourth-largest app on Roku by reach.
  • Since 2020, Roku Channel FAST viewing has grown 262% faster than the overall TV streaming market, fueled in part by former cable and SVOD-only households.
  • The report found that FAST mirrors cable viewing — with less ad clutter: Viewers watch FAST in familiar, lean-back patterns similar to traditional TV, but with about one-third the ad load, creating more impact per ad.
  • Roku says ads in FAST environments generate more attention than linear TV, while reaching an audience that increasingly mirrors Roku’s full viewer base.
  • Finally, Roku reports that 90% of FAST viewing hours happen on The Roku Channel, now the second-largest streaming app by share of ad-supported TV time, driven largely by home screen discovery.

‘Sports Illustrated’ Launches Branded ‘SI TV’ FAST Channel

Sports Illustrated Jan. 20 announced the launch of “SI TV,” a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel available on myriad platforms.

The new channel aims to bring the , the 70-year-old brand’s legacy storytelling to a video platform, featuring original programming, live events, sports lifestyle and archival content.

In addition to behind-the-scenes content from some Sports Illustrated cover shoots, to daily betting insights and the latest Mountain West Conference Network event coverage, the FAST channel will also feature content from SI journalists and the athletes and sports properties they cover.

Streaming content will also include docuseries, podcasts, live games and studio programming. Viewers can also stream the full broadcast of the “Sportsperson of the Year” awards ceremony.

The launch of SI TV builds on the growing momentum of the brand’s video programming. Last year featured a 160% year-over-year increase in views and a 180% increase in watch time across SI YouTube content.

“SI TV is a new platform for what SI has always done: tell the best stories in sports with authoritative voices and unique access,” Steve Cannella, editor in chief of Sports Illustrated, said in a statement.

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The following video programming is available on “SI TV” —

  • Around the W — Sports Illustrated presents Around the W, the Signal Award-winning show for Best New Podcast. Host Maria Clifton sits down with the biggest names in the WNBA, college basketball and Unrivaled to explore life around the league, from player fashion and on- and off-court stories to the evolving landscape of the women’s game.
  • College Road Trip — Host Claudette Montana travels the country visiting college campuses and stadiums, bringing the college football campus experience to life, and captures on-the-street, fan, tailgating, tradition and food content.
  • Fantasy Dirt — Go ahead and engrave your name on the trophy, because this is the show that’s going to help you win a fantasy football championship. FSWA Hall of Famer Michael Fabiano is here to walk you through the right moves to make with your roster each week. And Fabs will leave no fantasy-related stone unturned. Get the dirt . . . on Fantasy Dirt.
  • Forde-Yard Dash — Senior writer Pat Forde delivers deep insights and expert analysis, keeping fans ahead of the game with his unrivaled knowledge and inside scoop.
  • MMQB — Hosted by senior writers Albert Breer and Conor Orr, The MMQB Podcast brings unique, informed and immediate analysis from around the NFL. Whether you’re looking to catch up on Sunday’s football action, take a deep dive into the film or answer some burning NFL questions, Albert and Conor have you covered, and you’ll finish each episode knowing more about football than you ever thought you could.
  • Mountain West Conference Network — Catch game action from around the Mountain West, including matchups in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, gymnastics, baseball and softball.
  • Open Floor — From the NBA draft to the playoffs and back again, Chris Mannix, Rachel Nichols, and Evan Turner take you on a ride across the NBA standings, laying out the latest news and rumors along the way and leaving no basketball conspiracy theory stone left unturned.
  • Original Features — SI TV hosts a curated collection of Sports Illustrated’s original documentaries, reported features and live or longform conversations that explore sports from every angle. From investigative explainers like How Oklahoma City Built a Canoe Slalom Course (And Why It’s Hosting 7 Olympic Events) to interview-driven series such as 10 Burning Questions, Full Frame, and One-on-One, each feature offers depth, insight, and originality.
  • Others Receiving Votes — Sports Illustrated‘s Pat Forde and Bryan Fischer bring you a weekly rundown of anything and everything college football.
  • SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina — Every week on the SI Media Podcast, host Jimmy Traina sits down for an informal conversation with the biggest broadcasters, athletes, sports personalities, celebrities and anybody else interested in sports or media. Plus, get a window into the storylines Traina is following closest in the weekly Traina Thoughts segment.
  • Sports Illustrated FC — Each week Phil Jones, Jacob Culshaw, Hunter Godson and Alessandro Eremiti will break down the biggest questions and talking points from around the globe. You can also expect famous guests from the world of football and beyond.
  • Sports Illustrated Vault — SI Vault video archive is a curated destination of premium Sports Illustrated video content, bringing the brand’s iconic history, legendary athletes and unforgettable moments to life through high-quality archival and original storytelling including content from Sportsperson of the Year, Underdogs, etc.
  • SI will launchGOAT Weekin the coming months, an all-newSI TVseries that unlocks the Vault to bring fans never-before-seen footage of the greatest athletes of all time through the access and lens of SI. Each day will spotlight a new GOAT athlete, with episodes activating as a true time capsule capturing rare moments from SI’s legendary archive including exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes from iconic cover shoots and never-released footage of the legends who shaped sports history.
  • Sports Illustrated Swimsuit — Get an inside look at the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit brand. From documentaries to adventure series and additional assorted SI Swimsuit Vault content, SI TV gives viewers unprecedented access to the world of Swimsuit.
  • Stadium Wonders — This multi-episode series takes you inside the most overlooked and underappreciated arenas in sports, places where history seeps from the walls and the atmosphere is unlike anything you’ll find in the modern game. From century-old gyms that have seen basketball’s greats to intimate venues that create chaos on game night, we explore what makes these arenas special, the teams and fans that bring them to life, and why they remain essential to sports today.
  • The Baseball Insiders — Join MLB Insider Robert Murray, FanSided host extraordinaire Adam Weinrib, and some of the biggest names in baseball and baseball media, as they bring you the inside scoop on everything happening across the MLB. From Hot Stove to the World Series, the Baseball Insiders have you covered.
  • The Breer Report — Host Albert Breer delivers deep insights and expert analysis, keeping fans ahead of the game with his unrivaled knowledge and inside scoop.
  • The Dan Evans Show — The Dan Evans Show is the official golf show of Sports Illustrated, covering PGA Tour, LIV, LPGA, majors, equipment and the chaos that makes this game addictive. Hosted by Dan Evans with Josh Boger, Rich Evans, and Josh Reidelbach, the show has one foot in the press room with SI credentials and one foot in the group chat — informed, opinionated and occasionally unhinged.
  • The Pin Down — Sports Illustrated’s conversational wrestling show touches on the hottest topics in the sport, dropping new episodes weekly.
  • The Players’ Tribune (TPT) — SI TV hosts assorted archival content from The Players’ Tribune, the sports content brand that created the blueprint for athlete-driven storytelling. Co-founded by Derek Jeter in 2014, over the last 11 years TPT has worked with thousands of athletes to tell their story through impactful written, audio and visual content.
  • Where Are They Now? — The Where Are They Now? show dives into the lives of some of your favorite athletes in sports. From youth to pros, host Adam Faris explores athletes’ career paths and answers the question you all want to know … what are they doing now following their athletic career?

Xumo Launches New ‘Identity’ Software to Help Third-Party Advertisers

Xumo, the streaming joint venture between Comcast and Charter Communications, Jan. 5 announced the launch of a new advanced identity software designed to help advertisers better connect with audiences across the platform’s streaming inventory.

Xumo reports it can now offer advertisers more effective audience targeting, improved campaign measurement, and enhanced transparency, all while respecting consumer privacy.

By combining verified third-party data sources with Xumo’s streaming footprint spanning devices, smart TVs and ad-supported channels, the enhancements empower agencies and brands to maximize ROI and achieve better outcomes across their streaming investments.

“We built this solution alongside industry data and identity innovators to deliver measurable outcomes for advertisers,” Jiro Egawa, SVP of platform growth and monetization, said in a statement.

Working with credit source TransUnion, online ad facilitator The Trade Desk, and SaaS company LiveRamp, Xumo hopes to ensure that advertisers can activate data seamlessly, more confidently and at scale.

“Advertisers need solutions that balance precision with privacy, and that’s exactly what this collaboration delivers,” Julie Clark, SVP of media and entertainment at TransUnion, said in a statement.

Xumo’s identity infrastructure brings together proprietary viewership data across its free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels, household and demographic data from TransUnion, third-party identifiers from The Trade Desk, and LiveRamp for secure, privacy-conscious data activation

The collaboration promises a “smarter,” more accurate identity layer for richer ad requests, higher match rates, and more measurable impact for advertisers, according to Xumo.

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Pluto TV to Start Streaming Sci-Fi Classic Series ‘The X Files’ Jan. 1

Pluto TV will start streaming the classic sci-fi series “The X-Files” Jan. 1, 2026.

All 11 seasons (218 episodes of the series, which debuted in 1993, including the 2016 revival) will be available free on-demand and on a dedicated 24/7 linear channel in Pluto TV’s Sci-Fi category, alongside dedicated channels for “Star Trek,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Stargate” and “Doctor Who.”

The channel kicks off with a complete chronological run through of the series, followed by curated weekend marathons.

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Nielsen: The Roku Channel Tops Paramount+, Tubi, Peacock, HBO Max in November U.S. TV Market Share

The Roku Channel ended November as the No. 1 free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platform across U.S. household televisions, according to new data from Nielsen.

Launched in September 2017, The Roku Channel, with a 2.9%  market share, bested Paramount+ (2.3%), Fox-owned AVOD platform Tubi (2.1%), NBCUniversal’s Peacock (1.9%), and Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max (1.3%).

Netflix (8.3%) and YouTube (12.9%) again topped household TV streaming video choices.

During November, The Roku Channel renewed home improvement series “Honest Renovations,” featuring Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis, for a fourth season, while partnering with Eva Longoria and NFL Films for “NFL Hometown Eats,” launching in 2026.

The road-trip comedy Broad Trip, starring Sophia Bush and Lauren Holly, debuts in May 2026.

The Roku Channel also generates active users through the Roku platform’s third-party subscription streaming video discounted offerings.

Winter holiday promotional offers for subscription video on-demand (SVOD) services have grown 32% year-over-year — driven by Black Friday — with promotional participation growing 68%.

“As we enter holiday season and the biggest retail promo events of the year, subscription streaming services are filling their own unique marketing niche,” a Roku rep wrote in an email. “Utilizing the prominence of Roku’s platform, these services are attracting new subscribers with extended trials and some deeply discounted monthly rates.”

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