Australian public broadcaster ABC joins the FAST channel market, supported by tech firm Amagi.
ABC Commercial, an Australian media company, has announced a partnership with Amagi, a leading provider of channel creation, distribution, and monetization solutions, to launch a suite of FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channels.
The partnership, according to ABC Commercial's Digital Sales Manager, Brian Lee, is a significant milestone for expanding into the global FAST market. Lee expressed confidence that international platforms will embrace ABC's new FAST channels, which aim to provide audiences with access to Australia's most-loved and unique stories, whether family-friendly, dramas, or documentaries.
The FAST channel suite launch is expected to commence in early 2025, with the initial launch taking place in North America, including the United States. ABC Commercial plans to expand its suite of FAST channels into Europe and Asia, targeting countries in the ASEAN region, including Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Srinivasan KA, co-founder and chief revenue officer at Amagi, described ABC's entry into FAST distribution as an "exciting step forward". Amagi's services will enable ABC to expand its reach, engaging audiences worldwide with high-quality content from ABC's catalog of over 4,000 hours of premium content across various genres, including scripted, factual entertainment, lifestyle, and children's.
Amagi's services also create new revenue opportunities through precise, targeted advertising for ABC's FAST channels. The FAST channel suite's launch will enable ABC Commercial to reach international audiences in new and dynamic ways with its content catalog.
Lee anticipates the new FAST channels will provide audiences with the opportunity to enjoy the best of Australian content in innovative ways. ABC's popular programs, such as "Aftertaste," multiple seasons of "Restoration Australia," "Wild Australians," and "Reef School," are expected to be part of the FAST channel offerings.
Further details on ABC's new channel launches are expected to be announced in early 2025. It's worth noting that FAST channel household penetration in North America is already higher than 40%. This suggests a promising market for ABC's FAST channels.
For more information about ABC's services and the FAST channel suite, visitors are encouraged to visit ABC's website. This partnership is set to revolutionise the way international audiences access Australian content, opening up a world of unique stories and experiences.
