Vizio Adds 40 Creator-Led Channels and Targets Connected TV Ads
Walmart-owned Vizio added over 40 creator-led channels, as its operating system reached 32 million annual active devices, up 20%.
Walmart-owned Vizio expanded its free streaming service "WatchFree+" by adding over 40 creator-led channels, according to Marketing Dive. The lineup included shows from MGM, NBCUniversal, Disney, A&E, and A24.
The company announced that its operating system "Vizio OS" reached 32 million annual active devices in the first half of 2026, up 20% year-over-year. This indicates that the viewership base is expanding at a pace outrunning the growth of the hardware market itself.
Revenue for "Walmart Connect," the company's advertising arm, grew 43% year-over-year in the second quarter of fiscal year 2027, excluding Vizio. This figure points to connected TV advertising becoming an increasingly important revenue stream.
The IAB projects connected TV advertising spend in the United States to reach $29.3 billion in 2026. These figures are driving free streaming platforms to expand creator-led content to attract a younger audience.
What Do These Terms Mean?
Connected TV (CTV): A television screen connected to the internet that streams digital content and enables targeted ad delivery.
FAST Channels: Free ad-supported streaming television channels that operate over the internet without a paid subscription.
Active Device: A device used at least once during the specified period, used to measure the size of a platform's audience.
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