In EMEA, sports channel viewership grew nearly 4.5 times, with 60% of the growth driven by the addition of new channels.
Amagi‘s recently released Amagi Global FAST Report reveals significant growth in sports content in the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) ecosystem. The 13th edition of the report highlights a 150% increase in global sports channel viewership on FAST compared to an overall viewership growth of 40%, showcasing the increasing demand for sports programming among streaming audiences.
According to the report live sports content on FAST has shown rapid growth, with a 65% increase in live sports hours. In EMEA, sports channel viewership grew nearly 4.5 times, with 60% of the growth driven by the addition of new channels. The US and Canada contributed to 60% of global viewership, with a triple-digit growth in sports channel viewership and impressions.
The report found that executives prioritise live sports in FAST content with about a third of surveyed executives saying that they have live sports as part of their content plan either now or in the future, with another third saying they want to add live sports. Over two-thirds (67%) are seeing an increase in advertising interest in live sports.
Commenting on the report’s findings, Srinivasan KA, Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Amagi, said: “The integration of sports content into FAST platforms represents a significant shift in the streaming landscape, opening up new opportunities for both established leagues and niche sports to find and grow their audiences. Our latest report underscores the rising prominence of sports content in the FAST ecosystem. With sports channel viewership outpacing overall growth, it’s clear that FAST is becoming an increasingly important platform for sports leagues and broadcasters as a source of distribution revenue.”
The report offers critical data and insights derived from 2,800-plus channels using Amagi Thunderstorm, the company’s server-side ad insertion platform, as well as business preferences and future predictions based on a survey of 128 streaming, broadcast, and sports executives. It also highlights insights from both large and niche sports and media companies, showcasing how these organisations use FAST to expand their reach and engage with viewers in new ways.
