The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Not So FAST: Do You Watch Those Freebie Streaming Services?

**Posted by RadioActive** April 6, 2025 7:37 am

In this case, FAST stands for Free Ad Supported Television and it refers to services like PlutoTV and Tubi. Both have thousands of hours of television and movies available for free, with the former advertised heavily on the Corus stations, which has an interest in the Canadian version.

When these first started up, I checked them out and thought I would be a regular viewer. But despite all the programming – including even a few original series – I find I almost never bother going over to either one to see anything there. I have no idea why that is, but they just never seem to be on my radar.

I was wondering if anyone here frequents either of these services, or others like them. I recently read an article indicating they were doing pretty well but for some reason, I never think of them or go there. Am I the only one?

**Posted by pinto** April 6, 2025 7:59 am

Use Tubi all the time for older docs, the ads are climbing in number but nothing like Pluto, Plex also has some free TV options if you have it installed

**Posted by paterson1** April 6, 2025 8:21 am

I have watched Pluto before. Not something I would look at often. Nothing against their programming, but I am not really into watching old shows that much. I don't have time to watch half of the channels I already have, and unless it is sports or news, I only give TV so many hours a day. Same with Tubi or CTV Throwback, seen them, but don't watch them.

**Posted by andysradio** April 6, 2025 10:15 am

I enjoy Tubi. It has a lot of old English shows like Heartbeat (albeit not all of them), the Gerry Anderson kids shows and classic (read good) Dr. Who’s

**Posted by Dial Twister** April 6, 2025 11:19 am

It's not even difficult to keep up with them. If you have Google TV, or similar interfaces on your TV, you can install the Tubi, Pluto, etc. apps and then Google TV will remind you of shows you're currently watching on those FAST channels too.

**Posted by bbqguy1962** April 6, 2025 12:29 pm

6 million different options and for the life of me I can't find The Rockford Files anywhere

**Posted by Dial Twister** April 6, 2025 12:37 pm

bbqguy1962 wrote:
6 million different options and for the life of me I can't find The Rockford Files anywhere

They're on daily motion, either in the browser or their downloadable app...

https://dai.ly/x82q9uc

**Posted by DeepTracks** April 6, 2025 12:55 pm

bbqguy1962 wrote:
6 million different options and for the life of me I can't find The Rockford Files anywhere

Six seasons are available, even "On Demand", on The Roku Channel.

**Posted by newsguy1** April 6, 2025 12:59 pm

I find tubi and Pluto to be like going to a buffet that has tons of food choices, but none of them what you really want to eat.
Maybe one or two items, but not the 20 different salads all of them humdrum or heavy dishes loaded with fat and salt or deep fried.
Also with Pluto you cannot pick a start time for a show because they just keep streaming one after the other.

Last edited by newsguy1 (April 6, 2025 1:03 pm)

**Posted by RadioActive** April 6, 2025 1:37 pm

Pluto has an On Demand section that will let you pick what you want to watch and when. But I'm not sure if everything that's on the site is offered in that format.

**Posted by pinto** April 6, 2025 2:45 pm

bbqguy1962 wrote:
6 million different options and for the life of me I can't find The Rockford Files anywhere

There is an app called JustWatch, punch in the show and it will tell you the service if it's available.