How Affinity-Based Streaming And FAST Networks Are Outpacing Generalist Platforms In 2026
The “Golden Age” of the streaming generalist is officially over. For nearly a decade, the mantra of the industry has been, “more is better” — more content, more genres, more broad-appeal blockbusters aimed at catching everyone at once. But as we move through 2026, the data tells a different story. In an era of infinite, overwhelming choice, the most valuable real estate in television isn’t the platform that offers everything to everyone; it’s the network that offers the right thing to the right person at the right time on the right device.
We are witnessing the rise of Affinity-Based Streaming — services built not around scale or genre breadth, but around a clearly defined audience united by shared values, interests or beliefs. For those of us in the FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) space, this is our moment.
The problem with “everything”
General entertainment streamers are currently battling an epidemic of decision fatigue. Industry research shows the average show that the average American now spends approximately 12 minutes just searching for something to watch. That is 12 minutes of friction, frustration and potential churn. In fact, while major subscription services are grappling with monthly churn rates as high as 6%, specialized niche networks are seeing rates stay consistently below 2%.
Why? Because a niche network solves the discovery problem before the viewer even picks up the remote. When a viewer tunes into In Touch +, they aren’t looking for “something to watch”; they are looking for a specific spiritual connection. They aren’t browsing; they are returning home.
Depth over breadth
Historically, “mass market” was defined by breadth — how many millions of casual eyes on glass could a network claim? In 2026, the savvy advertiser and the mission-driven broadcaster have shifted their focus to depth.
A million casual viewers might scroll past a general entertainment ad without a second thought. However, a hundred thousand “enthusiasts” — whether they are fans of a specific hobby, a lifestyle or a ministry — represent a “sticky” audience. These viewers don’t just consume content; they participate in it. For a network programmed with religious ministry, this participation is our lifeblood. Our viewers aren’t just “users”; they are a community with shared values and high levels of trust.
The ministry advantage
In the ministry space, we have a unique advantage in the FAST ecosystem. While secular niche channels for cooking or classic cars are competing for attention, we are serving a foundational human need. We are providing a lean-back experience where the viewer can surrender the burden of choice and be fed spiritually.
By prioritizing a linear, scheduled format, we replicate the rhythm of faith. A Sunday morning service or a nightly devotion doesn’t require an algorithm — it requires an appointment. This reliability is what transforms merely a channel into an essential lifeline for a community.
The new metric of success
Looking at the state of streaming today, I no longer measure success by the sheer size of the library. I measure it by the strength of the bond. The future of television doesn’t belong to the giants who try to occupy every minute of our day, but rather, it belongs to the specialists who understand that in a world of a thousand voices, the one that speaks directly to your soul is the only one you’ll keep listening to.
For In Touch +, being “niche” isn’t a limitation; it’s our greatest competitive advantage. We aren’t just building a network; we are building a sanctuary. And in 2026, that is the only mass market that truly matters.
Doug Bognar is the Vice President of Sales and New Business at Apex Media Partners, leading distribution and strategy to bridge the gap between mission-driven content and modern video consumption. He’ll be the first to admit that he spends far too much time thinking about how to make television better for both viewers and creators.
