Rakuten TV expands FAST service to United States, Japan and Middle East

Rakuten TV, a Japanese-owned streaming service based in Barcelona, revealed its intention to extend its free ad-supported television (FAST) business to three new regions. Speaking at the Cannes MIPCOM conference, CEO Cédric Dufour said the U.S. launch will feature exclusive Rakuten TV Comedy and Rakuten TV Action channels, initially available through the TCLtv+ app. In the Middle East, two FAST channels—Rakuten TV Top Movies and Rakuten TV Action—are slated for release in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia by year-end, accessible via TCLtv+, TCL Channel and LG Channels.

For Japan, Rakuten Group will act as the technical integrator, adding the new FAST channels to its domestic R Channels platform. The move follows the company's operation of more than 120 owned-and-operated channels in Europe and a global footprint of over 500 FAST channels in 43 markets, marking the start of a broader international expansion.