How FAST revenue is built
A FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channel makes money on advertising, and the math is a chain of multipliers. Move any one of them and the whole result moves:
- Viewers × watch time - your monthly active viewers and how many hours each one watches. This is the raw audience the ads run against.
- Ad load × ad length - minutes of ads per hour, divided by average ad length, gives ad opportunities per hour. Broadcast runs roughly 14-16 minutes; most FAST channels sit lower to protect retention.
- Fill rate - the share of those ad slots that actually sell. Early channels often fill 40-60%; better demand partners and header bidding push it up.
- CPM - what advertisers pay per thousand impressions. Connected-TV CPMs are strong, but vary a lot by genre and targeting.
- Platform cut - the FAST platform or aggregator's share of the revenue, typically 30-50%. Your own branded app keeps far more.
Typical inputs by channel stage
| Stage | Monthly viewers | Watch time | Fill rate | Typical net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niche launch | ~8K | ~5 hrs | ~40% | Low four figures / mo |
| Growing channel | ~50K | ~7 hrs | ~50% | Low-to-mid five figures / mo |
| Established | ~300K+ | ~8 hrs | ~60%+ | Six figures / mo |
These are planning estimates, not a guarantee - real revenue depends on your demand partners, seasonality, and how well the channel retains viewers. Use the tool to compare scenarios and find the lever worth pulling first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a FAST channel make?
It is viewers multiplied by watch time, ad opportunities per hour, fill rate, and CPM, minus the platform cut. A niche channel might net low four figures a month; an established channel with hundreds of thousands of viewers can net six figures a month. Model your own numbers above.
What is a good CPM for a FAST or CTV channel?
US connected-TV CPMs commonly run from about $12 to $30 gross. Premium sports and news sit higher, general entertainment in the middle, long-tail and international lower. Fill rate then decides how much of that inventory actually sells.
What revenue share do FAST platforms take?
Platforms and aggregators typically take 30-50% of ad revenue, or split the ad inventory. Distributing through your own branded app keeps far more of every impression, which is why owned-and-operated distribution matters for margin.
Does this tool send my numbers anywhere?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser from the values you enter; nothing is uploaded.