SLING TV launches a FAST platform.
SLING TV has joined the FAST world, launching its free ad-supported streaming platform called Sling Freestream. Sling Freestream will be available through the SLING app on Roku, Comcast, LG, Samsung, Vizio, and Xbox devices for all consumers to easily view. The platform will provide more than 210 channels and 41,000 on-demand titles, including programming from ABC News, Forensic Files, FailArmy, The Walking Dead Universe, and more. Through Freestream, viewers will also be able to subscribe to more than 50 other streaming services or add a separate SLING subscription, allowing them to have all of their viewing needs filled through one place.
The NPD Take:
- As subscription costs are rising, viewers are looking for easier ways to view content for less. FAST platforms allow for this, and easily integrating them with subscriptions and live-TV will make viewing effortless.
- The proliferation of non-exclusive content licenses is making free streaming the wild west, allowing for a saturated marketplace. Differentiation will be key to success.
Peacock is getting shoppable TV.
NBCUniversal is expanding its functionality to include shoppable TV on Peacock. The company plans to integrate Must ShopTV and NBCU Checkout with the streamer, including advanced shoppable product placement within the platform. NBCU has had shoppable TV campaigns on linear, and this new move will extend this offering to content being viewed on the company’s streaming platform.
The NPD Take
- Viewers have been talking about this for decades; the ability to purchase merchandise directly from the show they are watching. The key will be figuring out how to do this and not interrupt the story. As such expect to see this more on reality TV than a scripted drama.