Meanwhile, smart TV OEM Vizio this week expanded FAST programming on its WatchFree+ with four cable channels from Scripps Networks that bring popular series like “NCIS,” and “Law & Order: SVU” among others to the service.

Which is why it is not the least bit surprising that both Samsung and VIZIO announced major wins for their FASTs—Samsung TV Plus and WatchFree+—this week.

Samsung has reimagined Samsung TV Plus right down to the logo, adding in new originals, new channels, a much expanded VOD library and additional local news and weather coverage. VIZIO, meanwhile, announced a deal with Scripps that will see four new Scripps channels on WatchFree+ which will bring shows like NCIS, Chicago Fire, Law & Order: SVU, and CSI to the service.

For instance, those using an LG set were almost a quarter more likely to say they used the TV’s home screen to make viewing decisions than people using a Vizio set (65% vs 53%).

VIZIO has added four additional free channels from The E.W. Scripps Company including ION, ION Mystery, Bounce XL and Grit Xtra.

Millions of VIZIO users across America can now access these Scripps network channels on VIZIO’s free streaming service, WatchFree+:

In a recent column for Fierce Video, TVREV lead analyst Alan Wolk said Paramount+ and its mainstream programming is a great fit for Walmart+.

“Not only does this allow [Paramount] to expand your subscriber base while building word of mouth around your new shows, it allows you to greatly expand your advertising base too, especially for streaming, where you can offer ad-supported Paramount+ along with Pluto TV, CBS News and more,” wrote Wolk.

According to Cheetah Digital’s report for sports teams and associations, 55% of fans will share psychographic data points like purchase motivations and product feedback with sports brands. Even more, half of all fans surveyed say they desire incentives like coupons, loyalty points or exclusive access in return for their data.

Key gatekeepers are platforms such as Vizio, speakers noted. Katherine Pond, group VP, platform, content and partnerships at Vizio, said the company collects useful data that it can share with content partners.

“We have the ability to see what consumers are watching,” she said. For instance, if Vizio data shows a spike in viewership, she can say, “Let’s go talk to that network about making a FAST channel about this.”

Vizio’s WatchFree+ service has now added four Scripps Networks channels for TV users to watch for free. Similar to many other free apps and services, WatchFree+ offers consumers a way to watch select shows, movies, and even live TV channels for free. This ‘FAST’ sector has quickly become one of the main areas of growth within the streaming industry, and that’s only likely to continue with the addition of more channels.

CreatorIQ has equipped numerous brands to build world-class influencer marketing programs. Tapping into this unparalleled insight on the creator economy, the SaaS platform has now produced a worksheet outlining the six key skills behind any effective influencer marketing hire.

The addition of the channels comes at a time when Vizio is increasingly focused on its streaming platform products, which are rolled into a single offering that Vizio calls Platform Plus. Earlier this month, Vizio said its Platform Plus streaming product earned $408.9 million, up 2 percent from last year.

Pluto TV has been joined by many other FAST linear platforms, including Xumo, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, and Vizio WatchFree. And more are entering the market. Freecast’s SelectTV, a subscription hub for streaming TV, is changing its name to FreeCast and making 250+ FAST linear channels available.

Vizio is expanding free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) programming from Scripps Networks with the addition of four new channels to the smart TV maker’s WatchFree+ platform.

The latest network additions, now available on all Vizio smart TVs, include ION (featuring dramas like “NCIS,” “Chicago Fire,” and “Law & Order: SVU”), ION Mystery (focused on thrillers, docuseries and shows such as the “CSI” franchise, Bounce XL (TV targeting Black viewers with scripted sitcoms and dramas), and Grit Xtra (featuring western series and movies).

VIZIO owners are getting more reasons to enjoy their purchase as on Wednesday, the Smart TV manufacturer announced the addition of four free, ad-supported TV (FAST) channels to its lineup of programming. Users will now be able to watch E.W. Scripps channels ION, ION Mystery, Bounce XL, and Grit Xtra on VIZIO’s free streaming service WatchFree+.

VIZIO streaming TVs offer over 250 live streaming channels for free. For the popular sports ones like the NFL Channel, MLB Network, Fox Sports and CBS Sports HQ, you don’t have to subscribe to new streaming platforms. Instead, you can simply sign in with your cable service provider or through Pluto TV and boom. You’re in. This makes it easy when a family who lives across the country wants to watch a game together. If your kiddo doesn’t have cable, they’ll still be able to access and stream the network with your log-in information. If only everything in life were that easy. Other subscription apps available on VIZIO Smart TVs that users can sign up for to watch live football are Peacock (for Sunday Night Football), FuboTV, Paramount+, Hulu, YouTube TV and Prime Video. Check out the full list of built-in apps and free channels here.

Cheetah Digital, the cross-channel customer engagement solution provider for the modern marketer, announces it has partnered with Salling Group, supporting the transformation of the Denmark-based retail operator’s loyalty solution to reward customers and engage with them in new and innovative ways as third-party cookies phase out entirely.

Even more, they leave consumers feeling annoyed. According to Cheetah Digital’s 2022 Consumer Trends Index, there’s been a near 60% increase in U.K. consumers who feel frustrated with a brand whose personalisation initiatives fail to recognise their unique desires and needs.

Vizio has seen a 50% fall in its share price since its offering nearly one and a half years ago. Continued growth in higher margin platform revenues was offset by increasing operating losses, resulting in a wild reversal on the bottom line.

Smart TVs. Vizio has introduced the Vizio account, a platform bundling all your SVOD subscriptions in one place for easy access and management.
…
Smart TV makers like Vizio are relative newcomers on the market but can no longer be discounted given their growing presence in homes. The TV makers may even have a better position than operators as they are not affected by cord-cutting, with no legacy video business to lose. Walmart is another newcomer in this area, along with other companies with a large, recurring base of consumers, like utilities groups, financial services providers and e-commerce marketplaces, which could all add SVOD to their offerings to support customer retention.

DistroTV, the nation's largest, independent, free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) app, today announced that it is expanding its content offerings to VIZIO (NYSE:VZIO). Now millions of VIZIO users can stream DistroTV's impressive and diverse content lineup — 270 channels and growing, plus thousands of hours of VOD content — for free, anytime on the VIZIO Smart TV platform.