FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channels generate revenue entirely from advertising — there are no subscription fees. Viewers access the channel at no cost, and the channel monetises through ads inserted into scheduled breaks during linear programming. The revenue model has three components: CPM (the price per thousand impressions), fill rate (the percentage of available ad slots that are actually filled with paid ads), and platform revenue share (the portion of gross ad revenue the platform retains before paying the channel).
A FAST channel on a platform like Samsung TV Plus or a major Indian streaming app does not sell its own advertising directly in most cases — the platform's ad stack fills the inventory and the channel receives a revenue share of what is earned. Platform rev share in FAST typically ranges from 30–50% retained by the platform, leaving 50–70% for the channel owner. If an aggregator sits between the channel and the platform (a common structure for smaller FAST channels), the aggregator takes an additional 10–20%, further reducing the channel owner's net share.
In India, FAST as a distinct category is nascent as of 2026. Many Indian streaming platforms serve scheduled-linear content within their apps (which functions like FAST), but the dedicated FAST app ecosystem seen in the US does not yet have the same scale in India. Indian FAST channels earn lower CPMs than their US equivalents, reflecting India's compressed ad rate structure overall — but for content that would not otherwise be monetised, even modest FAST revenue is incremental.
Full guide
For a complete explanation, read: How FAST channels make money: the complete revenue model guide