Next in Media spoke with Fuse Media's chief business officer Patrick Courtney about what advertisers get wrong about multicultural audiences media habits, the challenges in programming in the FAST space, and why cable TV still makes sense for some media companies.

Takeways:

• Inclusive Entertainment Leadership: Fuse Media is a Latino-owned, diverse entertainment company targeting a multicultural audience. 

• Young Multicultural Audience: The primary demographic is 18-34-year-olds, though the audience varies by platform. 

• Platform-Specific Programming Strategies: Fuse tailors content strategies differently for pay TV, FAST, and subscriptions, reflecting the unique demands and user behaviors of each medium.

• Evolution of FAST Channels: Initially a repository for legacy content, Fuse has applied structured programming techniques to FAST channels, seeing exponential audience growth by leveraging day-parting and scheduling.

• Challenges in FAST: Discovery, lack of standardization across platforms, limited data analytics, and inconsistent measurement pose significant hurdles in FAST. 

• Subscription Services Strategy: Unlike many subscription services struggling with high churn, Fuse leans into partnerships and reseller marketplaces over direct-to-consumer strategies. 

• Adapting to Industry Changes: Fuse has successfully integrated traditional linear and newer FAST/CTV ad sales models, capitalizing on its historical experience while navigating shifts like increasing automation and programmatic buying.

Guest: Patrick Courtney

Host: Mike Shields

Sponsor: Epsilon

Producer: FEL Creative