The Media Machine

From FAST to AI, Sports, and the Streaming Shake-Up: Alan Wolk on the Future of TV

Aug 12, 2025
In this insightful conversation, Alan Wolk, co-founder and lead analyst at TVREV, discusses the rise of AI in shoppable TV and how it changes traditional viewing experiences. He explores the evolution of ad-supported streaming, coining the term FAST, and highlights the shift from linear TV to streaming, especially among sports fans. Wolk offers predictions on the future of sports streaming, the role of data in media creation, and the balance between privacy concerns and innovative advertising techniques. His anecdotes shed light on the complexities of today’s media landscape.
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INSIGHT

Streaming Requires A New Currency

  • Streaming breaks the time-based TV currency; impressions replace mass simultaneous reach.
  • Measurement must shift from aggregate reach to individual ad impressions for accurate value.
INSIGHT

Contextual Ads Over Identity Targeting

  • Contextual targeting matches ads to the content and scene instead of the viewer's identity.
  • This makes ads feel relevant without relying on invasive personal data.
ANECDOTE

How FAST Got Its Name

  • Alan describes coining FAST in 2018 to distinguish free ad-supported streaming channels.
  • The term stuck and grew into industry conferences and a Wikipedia entry.
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