TVNZ Launches Three FAST Channels

TVNZ has softly launched its first FAST channels on streaming service TVNZ+.

New to the line-up are two Bloomberg channels (Bloomberg Originals specialises in documentaries, Bloomberg TV+ in business news) and a FIFA+ channel.

It comes more than a year after WBD went live with its first FAST channels on ThreeNow while both broadcasters are lagging well behind other markets where FAST TV has become a programming phenomenon.

And it’s not just broadcasters capitalising on the 24/7 niche product but also TV manufacturers, with Samsung offering more than 100 FAST channels on its NZ models and globally having 88 million monthly active users.

TVNZ isn’t officially publicising its FAST channels until next week but vigilant contributor Leo was quick to notice their addition.

We won’t know what’s in the pipeline until Monday’s media release but a TVNZ spokeswoman told ScreenScribe:

News and sport are key content pillars for TVNZ, so when entering in to the FAST channels space, we wanted to add channels that complement our existing offering, but deliver something different and new for our viewers.

In October, TVNZ said it was “looking closely” at FAST channel opportunities.

“For TVNZ, any FAST channels we provide will need to offer something different to the curated channels we currently have on offer in TVNZ 1, 2 and Duke.

“They will also need to be revenue-generating to support the tech and content investment required.”