The Top 3 FAST Trends from the 2025 StreamTV Show 

By Anthony Layser, Executive Director, Content Acquisition

Fresh off my third trip to the StreamTV Show – a dynamic annual event that brings the industry together to drive the future of television forward – I’m feeling energized and inspired. 

The event was a whirlwind of insightful conversations, compelling presentations, and dynamic panels that offered a front-row seat to where the industry is headed. 

After reflecting on those conversations and the thought-provoking content I absorbed, three primary themes emerged that I feel compelled to share.  

Fresh Formats are Fueling New FAST Programming 

One of the more fun and forward-looking topics I discussed with my peers at StreamTV centered on the growing opportunity to adapt popular content from other formats into video for FAST platforms. 

This trend is gaining momentum, particularly with the rise of vodcasts—video versions of popular podcasts—which are now being featured on major FAST channels like the NBA Channel and NASCAR FAST Channel. 

In parallel, creators from YouTube and other social media platforms are creating new bespoke content specifically tailored for FAST and AVOD vehicles. 

These shifts signal a broader evolution in how content owners are “skating to where the puck is going” by innovating and expanding the reach of their programming to find new audiences.  

These cross-media conversions not only breathe new life into existing IP but also present a largely untapped opportunity to diversify and enhance FAST programming lineups with fresh, engaging formats. 

FAST’s Monetization Moment 

Monetization was the dominant theme in nearly every FAST-related conversation at StreamTV. While this isn’t exactly breaking news—it’s been a hot topic for some time—the urgency and interest around it are clearly accelerating. 

With viewer and advertiser interest growing quickly, distributors and content creators are eager to unlock the full revenue potential of FAST.  

The industry has recognized that programmatic monetization alone may not scale at the same pace as content consumption, and more creativity and collaboration is needed. 

Improving everything related to monetization, including reliability, reporting, evolving ad formats and making channels more lucrative via sponsorship integrations, were popular topics on the StreamTV stage and floor. 

At Xumo, these are areas we’re already hard at work on (see: Innovation in Advertising Award) and helping our partners with.  

Moving Beyond the Catalog: Events, Tentpoles, and Originals 

In its early stages, beyond news and sports, the FAST ecosystem was largely built on extensive content libraries, often featuring TV shows and films from five to 10 years ago or, in some cases, even earlier. While the content features beloved and classic TV shows and movies that many enjoy, there’s a rapid transformation occurring to the FAST content mix. 

While classic programming remains a staple, there’s growing momentum toward incorporating more high-demand content—such as live events, original productions, and first-windowed content—to meet the expectations of today’s audiences and expand reach across new demographics. 

Xumo Play, for example, has been experimenting with more dynamic, live programming such as select PGA Tour events and live studio shows. 

At Stream TV, it was clear there’s a large appetite for more of these premium viewing experiences on FAST.  

 

From fresh content formats and smarter monetization strategies to the rise of live and original programming, it’s clear that FAST is leveling up and maturing. I’m excited to see how these trends unfold in the months ahead and proud to be part of a team at Xumo that’s helping shape what comes next.