FAST Is Failing Indies — Here’s What Comes Next
Linear programming is fading fast, on-demand has become the norm, and most independent FAST channels are struggling to survive—let alone thrive. But there’s a shift happening. As the dust settles, TVOD may quietly be emerging as the model best suited to indie creators looking to build real, sustainable revenue. Let’s begin with the FAST reality—and where things might go from here.
Why Deliver a Linear Channel in a VOD World?
In today’s streaming environment, delivering programming linearly makes less and less sense. The technology already exists to move viewers seamlessly from one on-demand video to the next—without the need for scheduling or manual interaction. If there’s no time-sensitive or day-and-date relevance to the content, what purpose does linear programming serve?
As an independent FAST channel provider, I’ve come to see these channels more as promotional tools than viable revenue-generating businesses. Making real money in the FAST universe is rare—more often, it’s about covering your costs. Just as independent cable channels without major media backing slowly disappeared, the same trend is unfolding in the FAST space.
Put simply: the true value of a FAST channel lies in real-time, day-and-date content. Without that urgency, it’s just a playlist wrapped in a guide.
Can FAST Channels Make Money?
That depends entirely on the type of content you offer. If you’re producing original, non-sports content, the short answer is no. Despite optimistic claims from some FAST platform reps, the economics simply don’t support indie creators in any meaningful way.
However, if you control a known brand or legacy content library, there’s potential. In smart TV ecosystems or aggregated FAST environments that share revenue, it’s possible to generate modest returns. But even then, discoverability and scale remain steep hurdles.
Is AVOD the Winning Ticket for Independent Voices?
Veteran programming executive Mark Sonnenberg put it best: people want “convenience, choice, and control.” That’s exactly what Video on Demand (VOD) provides. By 2025, over 35% of traditional program viewing is expected to be VOD. If you include video consumption on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram Reels—which essentially function as short-form VOD—the number climbs even higher.
So, does that make AVOD the best path forward for independent creators? Not necessarily. While AVOD appears accessible, success relies heavily on algorithmic discovery—and those algorithms overwhelmingly favor major media companies with big advertising budgets. As I’ve said before, this amounts to algorithmic suppression of independent voices.
What’s Old Is New Again: The TVOD Comeback
TVOD—Transactional Video on Demand—may now hold the most promise for original content creators and rights holders.
TVOD’s roots stretch back to the VHS rental era of the 1980s and ’90s. Viewers paid a one-time fee to watch a film from Blockbuster, then returned it. That direct-transaction model laid the foundation for digital TVOD.
The digital shift began in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when cable companies like Comcast and Time Warner introduced digital VOD menus. These were limited in content and clunky in execution, but they introduced the concept of paying per view from the comfort of home.
By 2005–2010, the rise of broadband and digital storefronts like iTunes, Amazon Unbox, YouTube Movies, and Vudu brought TVOD into the mainstream. Studios embraced it for its pricing flexibility, control over release windows, and resistance to piracy.
Disruption by Subscription
Starting around 2010, subscription-based platforms like Netflix and Hulu began bundling content into flat-rate packages. They acquired massive libraries and trained viewers to expect unlimited content for one monthly fee. As a result, TVOD use declined. It became reserved for early-access releases, event films, or titles not available on SVOD platforms.
Why TVOD Still Matters (Especially for Indies)
TVOD remains one of the most empowering models for independent creators and niche content owners.
It’s a non-subscription, direct-pay model. You earn more per viewer than through AVOD or SVOD. Viewers choose exactly what they want to watch—not what an algorithm serves them. And platforms like Vimeo OTT, Patreon, or direct-to-site models give creators full control over distribution, pricing, and audience engagement.
For content creators with unique voices, specialized programming, or loyal followings, TVOD offers a focused, sustainable revenue model—one that doesn’t depend on algorithmic placement or ad-supported volume.
BEONDTV
FAST still has a place—as a discovery tool or brand builder—but when it comes to monetization, especially for independent creators, TVOD deserves serious reconsideration. Sometimes the future isn’t new—it’s just finally ready to work the way it was meant to.
That’s why BEONDTV is taking the next big step—expanding global distribution with the launch of our new TVOD platform. We’re giving creators powerful, easy-to-use tools to take control of their content and turn views into revenue. Stay tuned: exciting new partnerships are on the way, and we’re opening the door to creators ready to unlock a smarter path to monetization.
If you’re interested in learning more about streaming and the business behind it, be sure to check out From Stream to Screen: An Insider’s Guide to Understanding and Building Streaming Networks—available now in paperback and on Kindle via Amazon.