Gracenote Bows Service Combining FAST, Linear Channel TV Data

Nielsen’s Gracenote launched a data service to help content discovery platforms connect consumers to programming on free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels, along with linear channels, on virtual MVPD services, it said Tuesday. Gracenote Streaming Channels will let content aggregators serve as “one-stop shops” for viewers who are increasingly turning to new free services to augment premium service content, the company said. The offering includes access to Gracenote’s database of schedules for linear streaming channels, including a Gracenote ID, and normalized channel and program metadata with imagery, descriptions and celebrity information, it said. The dataset improves content discoverability and enables personalized program recommendations across different services, the company said. FAST channels are often themed and remain available for a finite time period, Gracenote said, giving the example of a dedicated channel for TV programming resonating with Asian viewers during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month. “Based on the temporal nature of the offering, the ability to integrate the FAST channel and make its content discoverable quickly is critical,” it said. As more consumers adopt FAST channels, “easy integration and discovery options become more important than ever for aggregator platforms,” said Gracenote Chief Product Officer Simon Adams.