According to Deadline, Lionsgate’s MovieSphere free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channel will be the first channel of its kind measured by Nielsen. Nielsen will report the channel’s viewership numbers in the same metrics used for traditional TV, and MovieSphere will also receive data on it
“By bringing proven linear TV metrics to the FAST space, Nielsen is providing us with a valuable and innovative tool to benchmark performance, evaluate what’s working and respond quickly to our audiences,” said Jim Packer, Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television Distribution, according to Deadline. “This is potentially a very significant development where our team can leverage viewer reach, duration, frequency, concentration and other audience indicators to help us shape our branded, general entertainment channels to better return value for our partners.”
Deadline reports that Amilcar Perez, Chief Revenue Officer of Nielsen, also commented on the collaboration. “With more channels and choices than ever before, Nielsen is highly focused on innovating to ensure our measurement helps clients understand what and where people are watching. The FAST market is growing rapidly, demanding more solutions to understand how people are engaging with FAST channels. We’re pleased to collaborate with Lionsgate, a leader in the FAST market, to bring more clarity and efficiency to FAST players.”
MovieSphere is a program that offers Lionsgate’s collection of indie films and blockbusters. It is available on 18 platforms, including ones like Roku, Pluto TV and Samsung. According to Deadline, it will be on around 20 platforms before the year ends. The site also reports that “MovieSphere’s viewership is up 87% year-over-year in Q1 2024,” and that approximately 123 minutes are watched per viewer in the first month measured.
As reported by researcher Gavin Bridge to Deadline, there are 1,943 unique FAST channels. Movies are popular, with the number of channels that offer movies growing 50% year by year, with the total number currently being 236. Moviesphere is one of the most prominent examples of such FAST channels.