As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, distribution matters more than ever—not just where content lives, but how it reaches audiences.
American Stories Entertainment has taken a deliberate, multi-platform approach to distribution, and one of the most significant milestones in that strategy is the continued expansion of our FAST channel, The American Stories Network (ASN), on Local Now.
This post is the first in a series highlighting the platforms carrying ASN, why each one matters, and how they contribute to our growing reach and viewership potential.
What Is FAST — and Why It Matters
FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) is, in many ways, broadcast television reinvented for the internet era. Viewers get professionally programmed channels without subscriptions, while advertisers reach engaged audiences in brand-safe environments.
FAST viewing is no longer a niche behavior. In 2025, FAST accounts for 44.8% of total TV viewing, outpacing broadcast and cable combined, with ad-supported viewing representing 73.6% of all TV time in Q2 alone.
ASN was built specifically for this environment.
Why Local Now Is a Big Deal
Local Now is not just another FAST platform. Owned by Allen Media Group, led by media entrepreneur Byron Allen, Local Now has established itself as a leading destination for hyper-local news, weather, sports, and entertainment.
Today, Local Now reaches:
- 225+ U.S. markets
- Approximately 90% of U.S. households
- Viewers across Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, and Android
What sets Local Now apart is its emphasis on curated discovery and active channel promotion. As a FAST channel within the Local Now ecosystem, the American Stories Network participates in platform-driven visibility opportunities—including editorial placement, promotional stunts, and featured programming tied to campaign moments.
ASN appears alongside many of today’s most established and high-profile FAST channels, giving our programming strong context and discoverability within a trusted, widely adopted platform. We’ve begun leveraging this framework with upcoming initiatives such as our Boom in 2026 programming campaign, as we continue building a consistent, scalable presence across FAST platforms.
We’re excited about what this expansion represents for the American Stories Network and for the audiences discovering our programming on Local Now. As we continue to grow our distribution footprint across FAST and streaming platforms, our focus remains the same: making authentic, story-driven content easy to find and enjoyable to watch. We’re grateful to our partners at Local Now and look forward to what’s ahead.