Samsung TV Plus, Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service which delivers free, instant access to a wide range of live TV channels across entertainment, news, movies and more, has launched in three markets across Southeast Asia. Samsung is the first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to launch a FAST service in the region. Samsung TV Plus is now available on millions of Samsung Smart TVs across Singapore, the Philippines, and from late November in Thailand.
Samsung TV Plus will have over 20 curated global live TV channels this year, offering a diverse range of bingeable shows, including MythBusters, Survivor and Don’t Tell The Bride. Fan-favourites, Deal or No Deal, River Monsters, Red Bull TV and Come Dine With Me will also be available, as well as major global news channel, Euronews. Among the content partners are Banijay Entertainment, ITV Studios, and Tap Digital Media Ventures providing a variety of global and local channels.
Seven in ten TV viewers now watch ad-supported streaming in Southeast Asia as more consumers gravitate towards free alternatives. This year, FAST revenues in the region’s rapidly growing market are expected to hit US $95 million.
“Across Southeast Asia, the appetite for ad-supported TV is soaring, with TV viewing time doubling in the last 12 months across APAC. Now is the right time to carve our own path within the region’s thriving ad-supported market by delivering hugely popular global and local content that provides something for everyone, for free,” said Ed Love, head of Samsung TV Plus Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO).
The upcoming roll-out of Samsung TV Plus comes just 12 months after native advertising solutions were integrated into the Samsung Smart TV experience, capturing the attention from the moment audiences turn on their TV. Advertisers will now be able to combine native and in-stream video adverts for the first time, creating even more brand-safe opportunities.
“The success of Samsung TV Plus around the world has enabled us to build a robust blueprint for Southeast Asia. We’re dedicated to offering viewers and advertisers more premium content, completely free on the big screen, all at the unmatched scale only Samsung can deliver,” said Alex Spurzem, managing director, Samsung Ads Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO).
