Streaming wars = out. Free streaming wars = IN. And YouTube's just enteredthe battleground.
Background: If you've ever fallen far enough down a YouTube rabbit hole, you've probably realised there a full movies streamed there - for free. Legally Blonde, anyone?
What happened: Now, it's upping the stakes, adding 4,000 free TV shows - starting in the US. But, you'll have to sit through a few ads.
What else: This takes YouTube head-to-head with free streaming platforms like Roku Channel and IMDb TV. Streaming wars = out. Free streaming wars = IN.
💡Free ad-supported TV (FAST) platforms are rapidly growing in popularity. And YouTube's move shows they could be here to stay.
💡 Between 2020 and 2021, streaming platforms like Disney+ and Netflix saw some serious growth. But as of December 2021, 18% of US households now use at least one FAST service.
💡Those who invested in FAST early are seeing massive benefits. Paramount's Pluto TV now brings in over US$1 billion a year. Now we're just waiting on YouTube to bring the FAST wave to Oz!
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