Gracenote expands Data Hub to cover FAST channels

Gracenote, Nielsen’s content data unit, has expanded its Data Hub to include insights on nearly 1,850 active free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels.

The update provides visibility into global streaming trends and the programs driving audience engagement. According to Gracenote’s analysis, the number of FAST channels grew nearly 14 percent compared to the first quarter of 2025 and 76 percent since 2023.

The enhanced Data Hub, unveiled in its Q3 2025 release, now enables comparisons between FAST and subscription video on demand (SVOD) content. Originally launched in November 2024, the platform provided insight into the catalogs of major SVOD services including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+. With the addition of FAST, it now tracks more than 645,000 programs across SVOD and 197,000 across global FAST channels.

FAST channels skew younger in content

The analysis highlights differences in the age of content across streaming categories. Nearly half of FAST programming was produced in the last five years, compared to nearly one third on SVOD platforms. When extending the window to 15 years, FAST content reaches almost 80 percent, versus 68.5 percent for SVOD.

FAST channels are also dominated by TV programming due to their linear, scheduled nature. Almost 93.1 percent of FAST content consists of TV episodes, while SVOD catalogs are 88.8 percent TV programming.

Sports and genre trends

In the last three months, SVOD services saw the largest increase in sports programming, up 13.2 percent. Movie content grew 10 percent and TV programming increased 9.2 percent. For FAST channels, sports content dipped 3.7 percent in the same period but is up 14 percent year-to-date.

Within FAST, documentary holds the largest share at 16.1 percent, followed by drama at 10.6 percent and news at 9.9 percent. News also recorded the fastest growth, up 37 percent, while horror grew 30 percent.

SVOD platforms expand catalogs

Overall, SVOD services increased their content by 9.8 percent over the past three months. Amazon added the most titles with 12.6 percent growth, followed by Paramount+ at 6.4 percent.

Drawing on Gracenote’s Global Video Data, which covers content in more than 70 languages and 80 countries, the Data Hub supports video services, content owners and advertisers in shaping distribution, licensing and media strategies. It also provides reliable data for analysts tracking streaming trends.

www.gracenote.com

Follow Marketing Report on LinkedIn