Call it a homecoming.
Not too long ago, it looked as though the TV experience was headed to on-demand for good. However, the rising popularity of FAST channels shows that when it comes to TV, we’re craving an experience that looks a lot like the classic television experience.
True to their name, FAST channels are rapidly drawing significant streaming audiences in Canada, and it looks like those audiences are there to stay.
So, what do advertisers need to know about FAST channels? Before we consider the opportunities, it’s definition time.
1. FAST Channels offer a premium, lean back experience
FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels have the look and feel of the live linear TV experience, in that they have scheduled programming that’s accessible through a guide as well as regular ad breaks, only they’re delivered through streaming platforms.
Streamers enjoy FAST channels for a few reasons:
- FAST channels offer quality TV content. The programming on FAST channels is high-quality, tried and true, and gloriously bingeable. Channels dedicated to a single show offer streamers the boxset experience, while themed channels carrying retro content let them revisit old favourites and enjoy a hit of nostalgia.
- FAST channels enable the lean-back experience. Streamers are tired of scrolling through menus, trying to find something to watch. With their 24/7 scheduled programming, FAST channels free streamers from this stressful experience. (That word was chosen intentionally – in 2026 VOD Evolution, our annual study into streaming preferences and behaviours in Canada, 44% of streamers told us they find it “stressful” looking for something new to watch.)
- With FAST channels, there’s something for everyone. There are hundreds of FAST channels available, and with virtually all genres covered, including news, drama, entertainment, comedy and sport, there’s always something for every mood. Roku offers more than 200 FAST channels, including French language channels, which show classic movies, modern favourites, and much more.
Oh, and FAST channels are free.
2. FAST vs. AVOD: knowing the difference
While AVOD (Ad-supported Video On Demand) and FAST channels both show ad-supported content, including TV shows and movies, AVOD is on-demand, while FAST offers a lean-back, linear-style experience. Also, while FAST is always free, AVOD often is, but not all of the time.
FAST channels’ popularity has risen rapidly in recent years. According to a fall 2025 study by Media Technology Monitor, FAST channel viewing among online Canadians nearly doubled in the year before, with 41% of online Canadians now watching FAST channels.
The same study found that the most popular FAST channel in Canada is Roku Channel, followed by Tubi and Pluto TV. FAST channel viewers skew older than on other platforms, and tend to come from more affluent households.
3. Linear content still dominates Canadian streaming habits
Our survey identified a healthy appetite for streaming linear content, such as that on FAST channels. In our 2026 VOD Evolution survey among more than 2,000 Canadians, we found that 56% of streamers stream linear content, which includes broadcast channels as well as FAST channels.
So, there’s a significant audience for streaming linear content. But that audience is also spending more time watching. We found that on average, Canadian streamers are spending 4 hours and 12 minutes a week watching free streaming with ads, a category that includes FAST. That’s an hour longer than last year.
4. Content is modern, not just archives
FAST has evolved far beyond classic reruns. Today's viewers tune in for premium, modern programming and live events.
Research by Gracenote found that less than 14% of content on FAST channels was made before 1990, and that the five global SVOD platforms (Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+) now show more pre-1990 programming than FAST channels do. In fact, nearly half (45%) of the video content on FAST channels was produced after 2019.
5. Advertisers may reach more niche audiences on FAST channels
Offering quality TV around the clock and at no extra cost, it’s no wonder FAST channels are gaining audiences in Canada at pace.
The value of FAST is clear. Audiences are growing, viewers are watching longer, and our channel lineup is expanding. This gives brands unprecedented scale to reach streamers where they are already engaged. According to a late 2025 report by Media in Canada, Tubi will be expanding its FAST portfolio, as will CBC.
The expanding lineup of FAST channels gives brands new ways to reach specific, high-value audiences. By layering in Roku’s first-party data, you can deliver precise, relevant messaging that drives real performance. Ultimately, FAST combines the familiar feel of traditional TV with the advanced targeting of digital video.
To find out more about Canadian streaming behaviour is changing, and how Roku can help brands meet specific audiences, get in touch.
