11 Jul Influencers on the Big Screen: FAST Channels & Subscription Platforms
Summary
Shifting to the “Big Screen”
A Growing Preference for Longer Content & Bigger Screens
YouTube (11.1%) is the #1 streaming platform on TVs, as per Nielsen.
The rise of content creators and influencers is no longer confined to social media feeds. Influencers are increasingly shifting from creating vertical-focused content to longer videos on bigger screens. Platforms like YouTube have started to embrace such growing creator and consumer preferences for long-from content. According to data from Nielsen, streaming made up 43.3% of all time spent watching TV in December 2024, with YouTube at the number one spot versus other streaming competitors. “Viewers are watching, on average, over 1 billion hours of YouTube content on TVs daily, and TV is now the primary device for YouTube viewing in the U.S.,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan shared. “We’re bringing the best of YouTube to TVs, including a second screen experience that lets you use your phone to interact with the video you’re watching on TV — for example, to leave a comment or make a purchase,” he said.
Why Are Creators Moving to New Platforms?
This notable shift in the creator economy coincides with the growth of two new dominant content ecosystems: FAST channels and creator-led subscription platforms. The more revenue channels, the better, and these two new categories offer attractive earnings compared to the fluctuating ad payouts, algorithms, and regulations of social platforms. Many creators may also wish to connect with new audiences who prefer consuming content on smart TVs rather than smartphones, ready to engage with longer, story-driven content. Most importantly, creators seek an elevated streaming experience for their loyal fan bases, offering more control over branding, monetization, and performance data.
The Rise of Creator FAST Channels
Minecraft YouTuber Unspeakable partnered with FilmRise to share kid-friendly TV content.
What are FAST Channels?
Free Ad-Supported TV channels, aka FAST channels, are modern-day digital TV networks, commonly accessed on smart TVs. To view FAST channel content, users do not need to pay for access via a subscription or one-time payment. Rather, FAST channels are monetized via traditional-style ad breaks or advertisements that screen before content.
A Search for Efficient Earnings
For creators, FAST channels offer a simple, low barrier to entry method to monetize their evergreen content and reach new audiences through connected TV platforms like Roku, Pluto TV, Freevee, Tubi, and Samsung TV Plus. The key to FAST channels’ allure is the opportunity for creators to “efficiently earn” by repurposing existing content into a curated, continuous stream that plays on autopilot or with suggested related content—an ideal strategy for creators with extensive content libraries looking to monetize via ad-revenue sharing. Additionally, since FAST channels mimic traditional TV programming, they feel familiar to viewers, helping creators bridge the gap between online fame and household-name status.
Top 3 Creator FAST Channels
Here are The Influencer Marketing Factory’s top three creator FAST channels and platforms that successfully demonstrate how creators are owning the space on connected TVS:
- Unspeakable’s FAST channel: Minecraft megastar Unspeakable, known for his high-energy, family-friendly content, was one of the earliest gaming creators to embrace the FAST format. His dedicated channel, available on platforms like Roku and Pluto TV, offers a 24/7 stream of curated videos featuring challenges, vlogs, and gaming content, all optimized for the living room screen. Unspeakable’s partnership with FilmRise to launch the platform created a new opportunity to reach younger viewers who may already be viewing YouTube content on smart TVs. “The demand for this app underscores the ever-growing appetite for digital-first series tailor-made for a traditional viewing experience,” FilmRise Head of Content Jonitha Keymoore said in a statement. “This effort solidifies FilmRise’s position as the go-to destination for digital-first properties seeking wider distribution opportunities.” The FAST model gives Unspeakable a new revenue stream beyond YouTube’s algorithm while repurposing kid-friendly content he already owns, making it a highly efficient and scalable strategy.
- Mythical 24/7: Mythical 24/7, launched by Good Mythical Morning duo Rhett and Link in 2023, is a standout example of how digital first brands can transition into full-blown entertainment studios. The channel runs 24/7, hence the name, and features a curated rotation of fan-favorite episodes from the Mythical Universe, new original series, games, and spin-offs. By distributing through FAST platforms like Roku, Rhett and Link have extended their audience far beyond YouTube, allowing casual viewers to discover Mythical content without needing to subscribe or search. “We started Mythical in our basement in the early days of digital video, but always thought of our shows as television for the internet generation,” Rhett and Link told Variety. “A decade and thousands of episodes later, Mythical is a full-fledged studio and ready to launch its own network. The Roku Channel is the perfect partner to help us deliver Mythical 24/7 to all comedy fans in that post-broadcast generation.” This always-on model provides young, engaged fans the freedom to enjoy their content “whenever” while reinforcing the Mythical brand as a multi-platform leader on screens of all sizes.
- Bold Baking Network: The Bold Baking Network, founded by baker and YouTube content creator Gemma Stafford, is pioneering influencer FAST channels in the food and lifestyle niches. Launched in partnership with connected TV company Future Today, The Bold Baking Network positioned itself as the “world’s first 24/7 baking FAST channel,” offering thousands of shows and more than 1,000 hours of content at launch for streaming audiences. The Bold Baking Network features a rotating slate of content from Stafford and other culinary creators, blending educational recipes, seasonal series, and food-focused entertainment into a linear viewing experience. “We believe all bakers are creators, and now we’re giving them a platform to reach millions,” Stafford told Deadline. “Our partnership with Future Today helps us share the joy of baking with a global audience, while fostering a vibrant community that attracts brands and sponsors eager to connect.” Future Today Co-Founder Vikrant Mathur added, “The creator economy is revolutionizing how we deliver premium entertainment, and the Bold Baking Network represents the next evolution in culinary content.”
The Subscription Model Alternative
Watcher Entertainment launched its subscription platform in 2024 for only $5.99 per month.
Diversifying Revenue Streams with Paywalled Content
While FAST channels create new opportunities to connect with fans, diversifying revenue streams with paywalled content has become a lucrative monetization strategy for influencers seeking financial independence from revenue-sharing programs. According to data from EMARKETER, creator earnings from subscriptions grew 200% between 2021 and 2024, signaling growing interest in the monetization method. Rather than focus on funds, transitioning to more paywalled content empowers creators with more control over their content experience. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok are algorithm-driven and constantly changing, which can make income unpredictable. By offering content directly to fans, creators are building deeper connections with their audiences while stabilizing their revenue. These monthly or annual subscription models favor community, consistency, and creative freedom, allowing creators to scale their businesses on their own terms.
Top 3 Creator Subscription Platforms
With the rise in subscription-based monetization, several platforms have emerged as leaders in helping creators build paywalled communities and content. The following are three standout examples of creator subscription platforms setting new standards for diversifying revenue streams:
- Watcher Entertainment: After debuting on YouTube in 2020 and amassing over 400M views across hundreds of videos, former Buzzfeed creators Ryan Bergara, Shane Madej, and Steven Lim launched Watcher Entertainment in 2024, building off of their signature content like the Unsolved series. Watcher Entertainment offers full access to fan-favorite shows like Ghost Files, Mystery Files, and Puppet History, along with upcoming exclusive series and special member perks for only $5.99 per month or $59.99 annually. Notably, new seasons of content from the trio now premiere exclusively on Watcher, with only first episodes remaining on YouTube to retain casual users while converting their most loyal fans into paid subscribers. “In four short years, we’ve built a library of shows that we’re incredibly proud of, and we’ve done it by sticking to our creative values,” Madej shared in a statement. “We intend to keep delivering the world’s best unscripted entertainment, and the streamer is our way of cutting out the middleman and allowing our viewers to directly support the stuff they love.”
- 2nd Try: In May 2024, the Try Guys, one of YouTube’s most recognizable creator groups and former Buzzfeed creators, launched 2nd Try. Co-Founder Zach Kornfeld shared in an interview with CNBC that relying on ad revenue had become “very unstable and very unpredictable” for the trio’s business, prompting them to seek a more sustainable monetization alternative. “There’s just so much that’s out of your control…and it also forces you creatively to constantly optimize for things that are not always in your audience’s best interest,” he added. With 2nd Try, the trio established a direct-to-fan platform featuring exclusive content, premium livestreams, ad-free viewing, and additional perks for paying subscribers. According to Variety, the service was already on track to become profitable with subscriptions making up roughly 20% of the company’s total revenue in just three months. “We’re really happy with how it’s going so far—it’s more than we probably thought we’d have at this point,” Habersberger shared. “The goal isn’t a specific number. The goal is to keep growing, keep learning, and we’re going to be making mistakes along the way.” Despite shifting focus to 2nd Try, the Try Guys continue to value YouTube and ad revenue as key pillars of their hybrid business model to synergize platform loyalty, creative control, and long-term growth.
- Side+: British YouTube collective The Sidemen, known for their massive fanbase, high-energy content, and multi-platform dominance, have taken their creator empire to the next level with Side+, a subscription-based streaming platform powered by Vimeo OTT. With over 20 million subscribers across various YouTube channels, the Sidemen recognized the value of offering exclusive content to superfans willing to pay for deeper access. Side+ delivers premium content like behind-the-scenes videos, exclusive challenges, early releases, member Q&As, and more perks for $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually. Business Insider notes that by using Vimeo OTT, Side+ operates more like a personal streaming network than a basic membership site since fans can stream The Sidemen’s content via a custom-branded app. What makes Side+ especially powerful is its direct-to-audience model. Rather than relying on third-party platforms for distribution and monetization, The Sidement owns their pipeline from production to payment. This subscription model exemplifies the greater shift towards autonomy in the creator economy, showcasing how top influencer talent can evolve into fully-fledged media brands.
FAST Channels vs. Subscription Platforms
| Feature | FAST Channels | Subscription Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Content Access | Free & ad-supported, commonly no “sign-up” needed | Exclusive paywalled content via monthly or annual subscription |
| Monetization | Ad revenue from platform, brand deals & sponsorships | Direct fan support via subscriptions, pay-per-view, or tiers |
| Target Audience | Broader, casual viewers who want free entertainment | Niche, more loyal fanbase willing to pay for premium/exclusive content, want bonus content beyond what is offered on core social channels |
| Creator Control | Low to Moderate: creators may license content or partner with a FAST channel platform | High: creators own their platform, branding, data, etc.—freedom to share custom content at a price premium for fans |
| Advertisements | Core to FAST channel model: typically run before or during creators’ content | Optional: depends on creators’ preferences, often ad-free or selectively integrated by subscription tiers or levels |
| Content Style | Bingeable & evergreen content, often repurposed from YouTube, mid-to-long form content | High-quality content with higher production cost/quality, community-driven (i.e., content that encourages engagement or is inspired by fan requests), episodic series or full-length content |
| Tech & Costs | Technology often managed and provided by platforms to creators → low barrier to entry and low cost for creators | Higher upfront cost (UI/UX, branding, etc.), but platforms like Vimeo Streaming are lowering the barrier |
Future of Creator-Led TV
As creators continue to push beyond the confines of social platforms and explore big-screen storytelling, it’s clear that we are witnessing the rise of a new entertainment model where creators are not just personalities, but media brands. With the growth of FAST channels, subscription platforms, and tools like Vimeo Streaming, the barriers to entry for building and monetizing original streaming networks are lower than ever for content creators.
Vimeo Streaming, which launched in April 2025, enables creators of all sizes to launch fully branded streaming services and apps, complete with subscription tiers, multilingual AI tools, and “enterprise-grade” content protection, democratizing what was once exclusive to entertainment studios and networks.”With our new Vimeo Streaming release, we are giving creators more ways to connect with and gain a deeper understanding of their audiences, more ways to monetize their content, and higher-grade security,” said Vimeo CEO Philip Moyer. “We believe creators should be in control of their work and how they are paid; so we’re taking the technologies that are usually only afforded by the biggest platforms and putting it in the hands of our customers, at a fraction of the cost.” Vimeo’s support for creators has generated over $1 billion in earnings in the last three years, showcasing how platforms are eager to invest in and support the launch of creator-led entertainment ventures.
Vimeo’s recent launch and those of other platforms signal not just technological evolution in the creator economy, but a cultural one. The future of creator-led TV will be multiplatform, multilingual, and built upon premium streaming apps made for the “big screen.” Creators are no longer dependent on algorithms or intermediaries to earn big. Now, your favorite influencers are building entire ecosystems that prioritize creative freedom, community engagement, and direct monetization.
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