Frequency Alternatives — FAST Platforms for Mid-Market Operators

Frequency positions itself between the enterprise platforms (Amagi, Wurl) and the free tier. For established channels that have outgrown a free platform but can't justify enterprise pricing, Frequency is worth serious consideration.

What Frequency offers

Frequency is a FAST-specific platform (unlike some competitors who added FAST to a broader streaming product). Their focus gives them stronger FAST-specific features.

Core capabilities:

• Channel playout with scheduling and EPG generation
• SSAI with integration to major ad networks
• Distribution: Pluto TV, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Vizio WatchFree+, and others
• Analytics with CPM and fill rate reporting
• Content ingestion and management

The differentiator: Direct distribution relationships with device manufacturers. When you're on Frequency, you can negotiate placement on Samsung TV Plus and LG Channels in a way that isn't available through most smaller platforms.

What Frequency costs

Frequency publishes pricing (unusual in this category). Tiers generally start around:

• ~$499/month for basic channel operations
• ~$1,999+/month for channels needing premium distribution and advanced analytics

Pricing scales with channel count and distribution scope.

Who Frequency is right for

Growing channels with established viewership. If you have 50,000+ monthly viewing hours and want the additional distribution to accelerate growth, Frequency's platform relationships justify the monthly cost.

Content operators seeking Samsung TV Plus placement. Samsung TV Plus is one of the most impactful distribution channels for FAST. Getting direct placement there through Frequency is a meaningful distribution upgrade.

Multi-channel operators. Frequency's operations tooling handles multiple channels more smoothly than most free or low-cost platforms.

Alternatives to Frequency

Vidiyo (free) — for earlier stage operators

If you're considering Frequency but don't yet have an established audience, the monthly cost doesn't make sense yet. Vidiyo (free, revenue share) gets you live and distributing. Migrate to Frequency when the additional distribution revenue would cover and exceed the monthly fee.

The math: At $499/month, you need the Frequency distribution relationships to generate at least $499/month more than you'd earn on Vidiyo. That typically requires 20,000-50,000+ monthly viewing hours in the incremental channels Frequency provides access to.

Amagi — for enterprise scale

If you're at Frequency's upper pricing tier and need enterprise SLAs, dedicated support, and more sophisticated operations tooling, Amagi is the next step. Amagi's CLOUDPORT and THUNDERSTORM platforms are more mature than Frequency's at enterprise scale.

Zype (Endeavor Streaming) — for multi-product operators

If you need FAST alongside a subscription tier or branded apps, Zype handles the full multi-product portfolio better than Frequency. More flexible but less FAST-specific.

Direct platform applications (for patient operators)

Instead of paying Frequency for distribution, you can apply directly to Pluto TV, Tubi, and Samsung TV Plus. This is free, but:

• Pluto and Tubi are selective — you need content depth and viewership to get accepted
• Samsung TV Plus is even more selective
• The process takes months per platform
• Rejection rates are high for smaller channels

The direct application path is viable at scale; Frequency is the faster path that costs money.

Feature comparison: Vidiyo vs. Frequency vs. Amagi

The practical decision tree

Start here:

1. Do you have 20,000+ monthly viewing hours? → If no, start with Vidiyo.
2. Is Samsung TV Plus/LG Channels access important to your growth strategy? → If yes, Frequency.
3. Are you managing 5+ channels? → Consider Frequency at minimum.
4. Do you need enterprise SLAs and dedicated support? → Evaluate Amagi.

For the majority of operators under 100,000 monthly viewing hours, the answer is Vidiyo (free) and grow into the next tier.