A+E Networks has created a new role to boost its free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) efforts both in the U.S. and to expand the business internationally, on Wednesday naming Mark Garner as EVP and head of Global FAST channels.
Garner, a 23-year veteran of A+E most recently as EVP of global content partnerships and business development, steps into the new role effective immediately. He continues to report to Steven MacDonald, president of global licensing & international.
In announcing the appointment, A+E’s MacDonald emphasized the company’s focus on expanding FAST growth globally as it looks to monetize its content library.
“As FAST continues to be a critical area for growth around the world, we are thrilled to announce the expansion of Mark’s role at A+E Networks,” MacDonald stated. "Under his leadership, A+E was an early entrant to the space, helping to monetize our vast library of owned and original content across an emerging fleet of digital and streaming platforms. With Mark at the helm, we will continue to build on our pioneering global position in FAST.”
In his most recent role at A+E Garner was primarily focused on monetizing the company’s library through partnerships with emerging content distribution platforms, and oversaw optimization of its core creative business through new segments, including podcasting and out-of-home distribution. In his new position Garner will further zero in on efforts to accelerate A+E’s FAST business internationally, as he also continues to build U.S. reach and performance.
As for the FAST space, A+E launched its first free ad-supported streaming channel, History Shorts in 2018. Since then, it has expanded to more than 20 channels across lifestyle, competition, true crime, and movies, among other genres.
Prior to A+E, Garner served as an executive at multiple start-up ventures, including a satellite broadcast network, where he successfully built distribution in Johannesburg, South Africa. Later he led business development efforts for a direct-to-consumer online automotive sales venture. Earlier in his career Garner held roles at Lifetime Networks, MTV Networks and AT&T& in sales, marketing and project management.
The new executive position focused on FAST channels at A+E is happening as the streaming category continues to attract favor with consumers in North America. According to TiVo’s latest Q2 2023 Video Trends Report, AVOD/FAST and social video accounted for 28.3% of viewing time spent among various services (including SVOD, pay TV, vMVPD and other) – up 6% year over year. The category’s share is now slightly ahead of pay TV, which declined 7% year over year, and just behind SVOD, which captured 30.7% of viewing time spent in Q2.
TiVo also noted that FAST channels now reach almost 50% of viewership.
“72% of all AVOD/FAST viewers noted watching some form of free live streaming TV or FAST channels which in Q2 2023 accounts for roughly half the viewing time of all AVOD/FAST services,” TiVo stated in the report.
Among the types of live linear streaming TV channels on FAST services, viewers are mostly watching genre channels that fit a theme (31.9%), binge channels that air the same show all day – also known as single series IP channels (27.7%) and news (22.1%).