Samsung and LevelK launch first free FAST channel across the Nordics

Danish sales and aggregation outfit LevelK has entered the rapidly growing FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) market with the launch of its first dedicated channel, RomCom TV, now live on Samsung Smart TVs across Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Developed in partnership with Samsung, RomCom TV offers a 24-hour line-up of romantic comedies from LevelK’s extensive international catalogue, targeting a broad audience of viewers seeking feel-good entertainment. The channel requires no subscription or sign-up, allowing users to simply tune in and enjoy a rotating selection of titles supported by advertising.

“As part of our aggregation service, we aim to bring feel-good entertainment to a wide audience – whether it’s families, groups of friends, or couples unwinding after a long day,” said Lars Frahm, Head of Aggregation at LevelK. “FAST channels are a great free way of discovering new content within any genre or niche, 24 hours a day. It’s a market in significant growth all over Europe, where we can reach demographics who would otherwise not spend money on traditional TV packages or transactional streaming services.”

According to Frahm, entering the FAST arena was a natural evolution of LevelK’s work as an aggregator. “We need to offer our clients the broadest possible selection of streaming services, at the same time as exploiting all VOD rights and increasing their royalties. This also means being aware of every new development in the market,” he explained. The move also allows the company to engage with new types of clients. “So far, we have primarily been dealing with movies and TV series, but with FAST channels we can take all kinds of content into consideration.”

When deciding what to launch first, LevelK analysed its catalogue, audience data, and market gaps. “We basically see what is possible within our catalogue of over 6,000 titles, or if we have clients who can provide more within a certain genre,” said Frahm. “Then we look at the audience data to see if there is an interest for this genre or niche, and then we look at the competition.” The choice of RomCom TV reflected both the strong content pool and the viewer demand: “Even though there were other channels with a romance theme, we didn’t believe the market was filled, and we believed that we could create a better product.”

Frahm stressed that FAST channels can focus on single niches, unlike traditional TV, which must cater to broader audiences. “FAST can target very specific audiences, and of course the big advantage is that FAST is free for the viewer, as opposed to cable TV or traditional streaming.”

For LevelK, success ultimately depends on profitability. “We love what we do, and venturing into FAST channels is a fun adventure, but if we don’t make money, it doesn’t make sense. And it must make sense both for us and for our clients,” Frahm remarked.

At present, Nordic titles represent only a small share of RomCom TV’s line-up, though LevelK plans to increase their presence through future channels. “Right now, there are very few Nordic titles on RomCom TV, and we would love to feature more Nordic content,” said Frahm. While no original FAST productions are planned for now, “it is most definitely something we would be open to.”

Revenue is shared monthly with rights holders, and depends on audience engagement. “Traditional TV or SVOD deals are usually done through a license fee, which is the same no matter how many viewers the film gets. With FAST the film’s ability to keep the audience engaged is key,” Frahm explained. “Basically, the income is determined by how many people watch the ads shown in connection with the content. All content is treated equally in that respect, so it all comes down to what the audience likes.”

The RomCom TV line-up will be refreshed monthly to stay current and seasonal. “We refresh once a month to keep the line-up fresh,” Frahm said. “A removed title can appear again later, and we consider seasons as well – right now, we are adding several Christmas films, for example.”

Frahm also sees FAST as a natural extension of LevelK’s dual role as sales agent and aggregator. “One of the big advantages that LevelK has as a sales agent is that we are also an aggregator,” he noted. “FAST channels are basically a continuation of our existing aggregation service, and an opportunity to increase revenues for our clients.”

FAST channels – a hybrid of linear television and on-demand streaming – are gaining traction globally, particularly in Europe and North America. By teaming up with Samsung, LevelK positions itself among the first independent Nordic players to explore this emerging model, expanding the visibility of its library and creating new opportunities for partners worldwide.