DIRECTV has decided to also toss its hat into the FAST arena, by offering its own Free Ad-Supported TV service, called ‘MyFree DIRECTV’.
The company is not yet saying how many channels will be available, but you can bet on there being hundreds. Google TV FreePlay already has over 800 channels and it only launched a few months ago. The service is set to launch on November 15, just in time for the holidays. Not only will MyFree DIRECTV offer hundreds of free channels, it will also have a vast on-demand catalog available. And there will be additional channels launching throughout 2025.
Those that already pay for DIRECTV Stream, will also be able to use MyFree DIRECTV, and no it is not replacing DIRECTV Stream. With FAST channels, you’re getting a lot of 24/7 streaming channels that will be themed, and you won’t be able to watch a lot of stuff “live”.
What are FAST channels?
FAST is a new term that came into the streaming industry a few years ago, mainly thanks to the popularity of services like Tubi TV and Pluto TV. It stands for Free Ad-Supported TV, and normally runs 24/7 with themed channels. So you usually don’t see new content here. These are still great to have running in the background while you’re doing work around the house and such.
There are already plenty of channels out there on various platforms like the Baywatch Channel, Bar Rescue Channel, Anger Management Channel and many more. The best part about all of this is, that it is entirely free. With most services, you don’t even need to login to an account.
So how do these services make money? Well, it’s right in the name, ads. This means you’re going to see ads on everything, but it’s about the same as regular streaming TV from YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV. In fact, sometimes it’s even less ads. Sling TV also has a free component available, and now DIRECTV Stream will be joining in on the fun.
