DirecTV Adds Seven FAST Channels to Compete in Streaming's Next Wave

DirecTV is adding seven new channels to its free ad-supported streaming service, MyFree DirecTV, a strategic expansion that coincides with the platform's one-year anniversary. The move is a clear bid to gain ground in the crowded free streaming market.

• Stacking the lineup: The new additions bring more sports and entertainment to the platform. The sports lineup now includes NBA FAST, Red Bull TV, DAZN Ringside, and Pursuit UP, while a partnership with AMC Networks adds the acclaimed comedy "Portlandia," "All Reality WeTV," and content from "The Walking Dead Universe."

• The bigger picture: The expansion is part of the legacy pay-TV provider's wider strategy to navigate a media world dominated by streaming. Adding recognizable brands gives the service more firepower against larger rivals like Pluto TV and Tubi, while the deal reflects AMC's own strategic pivot to streaming as its traditional affiliate revenue declines.

• The FAST lane gamble: For DirecTV, beefing up its free service is a calculated bet on converting casual viewers into paying subscribers and capturing a slice of the growing ad-supported streaming pie.

The partnership between DirecTV and AMC Networks was formalized in a recent corporate filing with the SEC, detailing the business side of the expanded streaming relationship.