Google TV adds even more channels

By Movieguide® Contributor

Google TV has added 10 new channels to its platform.

“The new channels include Cheaters, CBC News and Explore, Court TV Legendary Trials, Family Feud Classic, FilmRise Horror, FilmRise True Crime, Grit Xtra, Heartland, Laff More, Rig TV – some from channels already on Google TV,” MSN reported.

Since August, Google has offered 136 FAST (Free, Ad-Supported TV) channels to US users. They can be found on Google TV under the Live tab.

“Google launched free, ad-supported TV channels (FAST) on Google TV last year. It launched about 80 channels, and the number has grown steadily since then, reaching nearly 120 different channels by the end of 2023,” 9to5Google reported.

FAST TV is a successful and cheaper alternative to streaming networks and is enjoying increasing popularity.

Deadline recently reported, “Free, ad-supported streaming television continues to grow, and in June it once again managed to compete with its premium subscription-based counterparts… The obvious success of the FAST channels is that they are free, which is very enticing to consumers given the rising cost of all premium services. But there are also several other universal truths that these platforms have acknowledged (and built their platforms on) that have contributed to this growth.”

“What FASTs ultimately prove, in the wake of Netflix’s success, is that the product and the viewing experience are just as important, if not more important, than the content being watched,” said Andrew Rosen, founder of streaming newsletter PARQOR. “FASTs are increasingly winning because they are products first and closed spaces for content second.”

The rising costs for streamers also make FAST options more attractive. Movieguide® reported:

On average, Americans spend $46 per month on streaming. That adds up quickly depending on whether you choose an ad-free or ad-supported subscription to the streamers.

For example, Netflix with ads costs just $6.99 per month. However, without ads, subscriptions can cost anywhere from $15.49 to $22.99 or more, depending on whether you add additional users. Add a few more subscriptions and you’re looking at $46 per month.

However, it is no surprise that in this inflationary climate, “45% canceled a streaming subscription last year because the cost was too high.”