New York Post enters FAST market via VideoElephant managed service
New York Post Media Group is launching its first free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel, which will feature 150 hours of programming from its portfolio. The Post is partnering with VideoElephant for a managed service to handle scheduling, distribution, and monetization, rather than building the streaming operation internally. This move highlights a broader trend of publishers expanding into FAST to capitalize on growing CTV ad dollars and consumer interest in free content.
Key Takeaways
- Channel features 150 hours of inventory including daily shows 'Post Presents' and 'Page Six Radio'
- Programming slate will refresh by 20% each month to maintain viewer engagement
- Post video revenue nearly quadrupled over the past year, supported by 66% growth in YouTube views
- VideoElephant managed service will oversee all technical operations and platform distribution
- Strategy shifts distribution focus from owned-and-operated platforms to broad off-platform reach
Why It Matters
The move signals a maturing phase for publishers where content volume, rather than just brand recognition, dictates streaming entry. By using a managed service like VideoElephant, the Post bypasses technical barriers to entry, treating FAST as a high-margin distribution layer for existing digital video series. This reflects a broader industry pivot away from walled-garden strategies toward aggressive off-platform monetization as CTV ad spend is projected to hit $38 billion by late 2026. Watch for whether the Post secures top-tier placement on major aggregators like Samsung TV Plus or the newly Fox-aligned Roku to leverage Its 62 million monthly unique visitors.
Additional Context
The New York Post’s expansion into linear streaming coincides with massive consolidation among its sister companies. Per CBS News and Forbes (June 2024), Fox Corporation—led by Lachlan Murdoch, who also chairs the Post’s parent News Corp—signed a definitive $22 billion agreement to acquire Roku. This deal combines Fox’s live sports and news portfolio with a platform reaching roughly 100 million households, creating a powerful internal pipeline for News Corp-affiliated content across the third-largest television entity in the U.S. by viewing share. VideoElephant has emerged as the primary technical architect for this publisher-to-FAST transition. According to Media Play News (May 2026) and StreamTV Insider (June 2025), the firm has recently taken over operations for other niche and legacy brands including personal finance channel ROI TV, Black Enterprise, and EntrepreneurTV. These managed services allow publishers to convert digital libraries into 24/7 linear feeds with server-side ad insertion (SSAI) and automated scheduling, focusing on 'lean-back' viewers who are increasingly deserting costly SVOD tiers. This trend is reflected in recent consumer data. Per Cord Cutters News (June 2026), roughly 64% of U.S. households now consume free ad-supported content weekly. For the New York Post specifically, the move serves a national audience; the company reports that 92% of its 62 million monthly visitors live outside the New York metropolitan area. This geographic footprint makes high-volume distribution on smart TV interfaces essential for capturing scale in a market where 2026 is being defined by platform-native dominance and a shift toward 'controlling the full stack' from content to operating system.
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