Syndication in a FAST world: Lineages and ruptures

The emergence of free ad-supported television (FAST) services has been growing in the streaming television market. In contrast with subscription video on demand (SVOD) services, FAST rely on library programming to draw in viewers. Functionally, this is an evolution of the linear television practice of syndication and remediates existing, successful television practices. Culturally, it serves to preserve several televisual heritages, including specific programs and ‘disposable’ genres like tabloid talk shows, game shows, and reality television. This article addresses how syndication functions in a streaming environment and what it tells us about which market segments and demographics media corporations are targeting in this emerging space.