FAST TV Platform
FAST is the fastest-growing corner of OTT because it rebuilds the economics of linear TV on IP rails. Vucos provides cloud playout, SSAI, dynamic ad pod management, EPG automation and the distribution pipes to ship channels into Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Roku Channel, Pluto, Amazon Freevee and operator bundles — on one control plane.
Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV, Operated at Channel Scale
FAST on Vucos is the end-to-end pipeline for Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV: cloud-based linear playout that schedules and plays 24/7 channels without an on-prem rack, SSAI that inserts dynamic ad pods into every break with VAST/VMAP decisioning, EPG automation that publishes schedules in XMLTV, TVA-Metadata, DASH-IF and operator-specific formats, and distribution adapters for the major FAST platforms (Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Roku Channel, Pluto, Amazon Freevee, Vizio WatchFree+, Xumo).
Why this matters
FAST has flipped the linear-TV math. Distribution that used to require satellite capacity and a carriage deal now requires an HLS feed, an EPG file and an ad manifest — with revenue shared between channel owner, platform and ad tech on predictable splits. The category has grown past 80 billion ad impressions per month across major FAST platforms, and well-run channel groups see CPMs between $18–35 on premium content and 80–95% fill rates.
But running a FAST channel is not a static encode of a VOD library. Every platform has its own EPG format, ad pod duration rules, schedule submission cadence, and content policy. Vucos removes that operational tax. A single schedule pushes to seven distribution platforms in their native formats, SSAI inserts the right pods under the right rules per platform, and analytics reconcile impressions and CPMs per platform per channel in one dashboard.
What the FAST stack delivers
Cloud playout
24/7 linear playout in the cloud with cue-tone insertion, slate management, graphics and interstitials — no on-prem encoder rack or master control room required.
EPG automation
Publish schedules in XMLTV, TVA-Metadata, DASH-IF EPG and platform-specific formats (Samsung, LG, Roku). Updates propagate on a rolling cadence without manual file ingest.
SSAI & dynamic ad pods
Every break gets a dynamic pod stitched at the manifest level. VAST/VMAP decisioning against multiple SSPs, competitive separation and platform-specific pod rules.
FAST platform distribution
Native adapters to Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Roku Channel, Pluto, Amazon Freevee, Vizio WatchFree+ and Xumo — one schedule, every platform.
Linear + VOD hybrid
Channel playout backed by VOD libraries for re-airs, FAST channels as promotional entry-points for on-demand catalog, and tune-to-live from recommended shows.
Unified channel analytics
Impressions, CPMs, fill rate, ad revenue and viewership per channel per distribution platform — reconciled against SSP and platform-reported numbers.
How operators run FAST on Vucos
10 themed channels from a genre library
Build 10 channels from a VOD library (procedurals, classic movies, reality, food, documentaries), publish schedules into Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Roku Channel and Pluto, and monetize each channel with SSAI plus direct-sold sponsorships on tentpole shows.
Simulcast plus time-shifted channels
Simulcast the main linear network on FAST platforms where rights allow, and create time-shifted companion channels from the programming vault. Keep one EPG source of truth and route platform-specific ad rules automatically.
FAST as a free-tier anchor
Offer 50 FAST channels free with every broadband tariff to drive acquisition, then cross-promote SVOD and TVOD inside the TV app with conversion attribution back to the FAST entry point.
Technical details
- 24/7 cloud playout
- Cue-tone (SCTE-35) insertion
- Graphics and slate
- Interstitials and promos
- Live + VOD blended channels
- Failover master
- XMLTV
- TVA-Metadata
- DASH-IF EPG
- Samsung-specific
- LG-specific
- Roku-specific
- Pluto-specific
- SSAI manifest manipulation
- VAST 4.2 / VMAP
- Multi-SSP decisioning
- Competitive separation
- Platform-specific pod rules
- House campaign fallback
- Samsung TV Plus
- LG Channels
- Roku Channel
- Pluto
- Amazon Freevee
- Vizio WatchFree+
- Xumo
- Operator IPTV
- HLS feed per channel
- Multi-bitrate encoding
- DASH delivery
- Geo-restriction enforcement
- Captions and subtitles
- Per-channel impressions
- Per-platform CPM and fill
- Ad revenue reconciliation
- Audience and minute-by-minute viewership
- Warehouse export
Key Takeaways
- 24/7 cloud playout with cue-tones, graphics, slates and interstitials
- EPG automation across XMLTV, TVA-Metadata, DASH-IF and platform-specific formats
- SSAI with VAST/VMAP decisioning and platform-specific pod rules
- Native distribution adapters for Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Roku, Pluto, Amazon Freevee
- Linear + VOD hybrid: channels from libraries, tune-to-live, re-airs, time-shifted companions
- Unified per-channel / per-platform analytics reconciled against SSP reports
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need on-prem playout hardware?
Which FAST distribution platforms are supported?
How does ad monetization work on FAST?
Can we mix live content into a FAST channel?
How are EPG schedules kept in sync across seven platforms?
Can FAST channels be used to drive SVOD or TVOD conversion?
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