Warner Bros. Discovery makes first entertainment move into FAST with motoring channel

Warner Bros. Discovery has launched its first entertainment-focused FAST channel in North America, which will offer programming from its MotorTrend Group.

The channel, which is available via Samsung TV Plus in the US and Canada, carries content from the archive of MotorTrend, which also has a traditional cable network that features shows starring experts including David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan.

The channel is Warner Bros. Discovery’s first non-news FAST channel and signifies growing interest among SVOD platforms in the AVOD space. To date, Paramount, via its Pluto service, and Fox Entertainment, via Tubi, have led the sector’s expansion.

The adoption of the new channel is the latest in a series of high-profile moves by Samsung TV Plus across its portfolio of country-by-country services.

Takashi Nakano, senior director of content acquisitions & business development at Samsung TV Plus, said the platform is “committed to strengthening partnerships with leading content creators and networks, including MotorTrend – a marquee brand well-established as a mark of authority in the automotive space and among car enthusiasts.”

Nakano added: “By working with trusted brands to deliver premium programming in categories we know consumers love, we enable our viewers to experience Samsung TV Plus like traditional TV – but with the dynamic capabilities unique to streaming.”

In a separate announcement, Hearst Media Production Group announced the launch of pet-themed FAST channel Rovr Pets on Samsung TV Plus in the US.