A report by Rakuten, titled 'The FAST Advantage', indicates that Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) is gaining traction as a mainstream viewing option in Europe. The survey, which included 750 consumers from the UK, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, revealed that 73.7% of participants watch FAST channels daily or several times a week, while 80.1% view them as a primary television option or an alternative to subscription services. Notably, 60.7% expect to increase their FAST usage in the future, with only 4.3% planning to cut back. The report highlights that viewers are open to advertisements, with 82.3% responding positively. Furthermore, nearly 46% of respondents use FAST channels to inform their subscription choices. Rakuten's CEO, Cédric Dufour, stated that FAST is transitioning from an emerging trend to a mainstream behavior, presenting significant opportunities for content owners to enhance audience engagement and monetization. The findings will be discussed during a panel at SXSW London today.