When Tablo released its 4th generation DVR for TV antennas back in August, it came with a couple of surprises.
Getting rid of the $5-per-month subscription easily became the biggest one for cord-cutters. The second value-add was the 43 free ad-supported streaming TV channels (also known as FAST channels). The 4th-gen Tablo allows users to not only watch free ad-supported programming but to “record” these programs as well.
Today, Tablo announced the addition of 20 more FAST channels, putting the total at around 63.
The addition of more FAST channels didn’t come as a total surprise to me. In my review of the new Tablo, I noted the potential upside for consumers in terms of what FAST channels could be offered in the future.
Shortly after the announcement, I opened the Tablo app and rescanned my channel lineup so I could see what these new FAST channels were all about.
Here are a few highlights that I have noticed so far along with a rundown of what has been added.
Free Movies+ may be the best new channel. As long as you don’t expect Oscar winners or Hollywood blockbusters that you can find on other FAST services such as Pluto TV, you can find some watchable fare.
When I turned on the Laser TV that I’m currently testing in the office, Free Movies+ began playing the 2014 movie “God’s Pocket” starring the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Turturro, and Christina Hendricks.
Sure, “God’s Pocket” was panned critically, but this is a movie I would definitely watch (at least in the background) for its cast. I noticed later in the day, “The Babadook” was scheduled to play. Again, not a great flick, but something I would definitely watch.
Stories by AMC had episodes of the critically hailed “Killing Eve,” which had a four-season run that ended in 2022.
The Walking Dead Universe had an episode of “The Walking Dead” playing. AMC Thrillers had some B horror movies that might be more amusing in a “Svengoolie” kind of way.
New FAST Channels on Tablo
Here is the complete listing of the new Tablo channels that were announced earlier today.
- Stories by AMC
- AMC Thrillers
- The Walking Dead Universe
- Slightly Off IFC
- IFC Films Picks
- Portlandia
- All Reality WE tv
- All Weddings WE tv
- AMC en Español
- ALLBLK Gems
- Overtime
- MSG SportsZone
- ANIME x HIDIVE
- Christmas Plus
- Free Movies
- Snowboarder
- Surfer
- Bike
- SKATEboarding
- Almost Friday
- Entrepreneur TV
- Time
The original lineup of FAST channels on Tablo included Scripps News, Ion TV, and Ion Plus. Fans of OTA channels GRIT and Laff! can find their FAST-siblings called GRIT Xtra and Laff More!
If these sound familiar, they should.
Ion networks are owned by E.W. Scripps Company. The American broadcasting company is the largest operator of ABC affiliates and owns the Ion Television network and Scripps News. In January 2022, E.W. Scripps Company paid $14 million for Canadian-based Nuvyyo, the maker of Tablo OTA DVRs.
The 4th generation Tablo was the first DVR under its new owners.
For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.
