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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryAdtech & ProgrammaticFAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV)

Adtech & Programmatic

FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV)

Linear-style streaming channels that are free to viewers and funded by ads.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

FAST, or free ad-supported streaming TV, refers to linear-style streaming channels that are free for viewers to watch and funded entirely by advertising. Channels run on a programmed schedule, much like traditional TV, and are distributed through smart TV platforms, streaming devices, and apps, typically discovered through an on-screen program guide.