Muvi Playout launches $199 cloud TV solution as FAST market hits $15B

The commoditization of cloud playout into a low-cost, no-code subscription model shifts the FAST barrier from technical infrastructure to content acquisition. As major platforms like Samsung TV Plus and Roku Channel now reach roughly 100 million monthly users, small-scale and niche broadcasters can leverage tools like Muvi Playout to compete for a slice of the projected $38 billion CTV ad market. This democratization of broadcasting assets intensifies competition for viewer attention in an increasingly fragmented linear environment. Watch for a surge in hyper-niche or localized FAST channels as production costs drop below the $200 threshold, potentially diluting the impact of premium content aggregators.

The expansion of playout automation comes as the broader FAST ecosystem reaches critical mass among global audiences. Per Samsung, January 2026, the Samsung TV Plus service surpassed 100 million monthly active users, a 25% year-over-year increase in streaming hours. This scale is mirrored by Roku, which reported in January 2026 that 64% of its U.S. households now stream FAST content. These metrics indicate that linear, ad-supported streaming is no longer a niche alternative but a primary consumption pillar, with Roku noting its FAST viewing grew 262 times faster than the overall TV streaming market since 2020.

Simultaneously, the competitive landscape for cloud infrastructure is maturing rapidly to support this volume. Per analyst reports from Omdia in late 2025, the U.S. continues to dominate FAST revenues with an 80% market share, yet significant growth is shifting toward international markets like Brazil and South Korea. This internationalization is driving demand for flexible, localized playout solutions that can handle regional ad regulations and varied electronic program guide standards.

Industry analysts at MoffettNathanson, as of June 2026, characterize FAST as a 'formidable force' increasingly siphoning budgets from traditional broadcast and cable. This is bolstered by Nielsen/Gracenote data showing that over 70% of current FAST programming was produced after 2010, debunking the 'library filler' reputation of early free streaming. For infrastructure providers like Muvi, the focus has shifted toward interactive features—such as live voting and real-time analytics—to provide the performance-driven ROI that modern CTV advertisers demand.