What worked two years ago in linear streaming services is now already out of date compared to fast-evolving and stiff competition. More weirdly perhaps, successful free, ad-supported services (FAST for short) are dipping into a very old playbook to optimize the audience experience and keep viewers coming back.

Three new streaming services were announced just ahead of the launch of NBCU's Peacock, and two will be on there too. But they'll need to find ways to appeal to tightly defined audiences to be heard.