Hearst launches five free-to-stream channels on UK's Trailblazer TV

Hearst Networks is expanding its UK free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) footprint by launching five channels on Trailblazer TV, a platform operated by Go See TV. The move pushes more of Hearst's factual programming into the booming UK free streaming market.

• Factuals on Freeview: The new lineup includes Mystery TV, Inside Crime, History Hunters, Deal Masters, and World War TV. All five channels are now available for free to UK viewers on Freeview channel 253, significantly broadening the audience for Hearst's content library.

• The FAST lane: For Hearst, the deal is a strategic play to capture new viewers. "This partnership unlocks a new opportunity to grow our reach and deliver our content to passionate new audiences," said Julie Mitchelmore, a VP at Hearst Networks. Go See TV's CEO, David Greener, added that the partnership shows how the FAST model can "deliver premium storytelling to mass audiences in a free, accessible way."

The move highlights a key industry trend where major content owners are leveraging the FAST model to monetize their vast archives and compete for viewers tired of rising subscription costs. But the push into free streaming comes as a new Comscore report shows continued audience growth for FAST and ad-supported services in the US. Meanwhile, other media giants are testing different strategies, with CNN launching "All Access," a new subscription tier that bundles live and on-demand content.