Lionsgate and LG Channels Unveil New Line of FAST Networks
Streaming viewers in the United States and Canada are gaining access to a fresh slate of free content, thanks to a new partnership between Lionsgate and LG Channels. The studio has teamed up with LG’s connected-TV platform to launch a series of dedicated Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST) channels, bringing some of the most recognizable movie franchises to the small screen at no cost.
The rollout is scheduled to launch the headline networks through the end of the year. Notably, this partnership marks the first time the John Wick franchise has ever been made available on a FAST platform, signaling a major shift in how legacy action properties are monetized in the current streaming climate. Alongside the film-heavy offerings, the deal introduces several series-based and genre-themed channels.
The New FAST Channel Lineup
The centerpiece of the announcement is a collection of channels built around deep-cut library properties. The primary launch includes three major franchise hubs, followed by a broader array of series and genre-specific services.
Dedicated Franchise Hubs
The headline channels focus on proven intellectual property with massive fanbases. Viewers can expect a Hunger Games channel, a Saw channel, and a John Wick channel. The initial announcement bundles these together, though each operates as a distinct viewing stream for its respective audience.
Thematic and Network Channels
Beyond the blockbuster franchises, Lionsgate and LG Channels plan to roll out dedicated channels for its television hits, including Rookie Blue and Ghosts. Additionally, a medical drama-themed channel named Pulse will launch, curated to serve fans of the genre. The final pillar of the agreement is the Lionsgate Network, which will be programmed broadly with the studio’s overall film and series library.
| Channel Name | Focus | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Hunger Games | Five franchise films | Ahead of theatrical re-release |
| Saw | Eight films; standalone first time | Launch ahead of Halloween |
| John Wick | All four existing chapters | Holiday window |
| Rookie Blue & Ghosts | Series channels | Rollout later this year |
| Pulse & Lionsgate Network | Medical drama / Studio library | Ongoing programming |
Timing Strategies Aligned with Franchise Moments
What makes this launch different from a standard library dump is its seasonal logic. LG Channels is leveraging curated viewing events that align with holidays and franchise milestones.
The Saw channel arrives timed for Halloween, capitalizing on the holiday’s traditional appetite for horror. The John Wick channel is positioned for the holidays. Meanwhile, the Hunger Games channel has returned as a pop-up ahead of the theatrical release of The Hunger Games: The Hunger Games: The Sunrise on the Reaping, the latest installment in the series.
“By turning fan-favorite movies into curated, limited-time viewing events around moments when they’re most relevant – from Saw for Halloween to John Wick for the holidays – LG Channels is making premium entertainment easy to discover and enjoy for free, while adding even more value to the LG Channels and webOS experience,”
— Matthew Durgin, Vice President, Media Entertainment Services North America, LG Channels
This approach transforms passive libraries into active programming blocks. For cord-cutters and budget-conscious viewers, these limited-time events create urgency to tune in, a strategy that has proven effective in the broader FAST market where retention often hinges on event-based discovery.
Deep Catalogs Meet Upcoming Sequels
The licensing deal offers substantial depth for fans of the included franchises, ensuring a multi-hour watch session per channel.
- Saw: The standalone FAST channel will offer eight movies from the horror franchise. This is the first time a dedicated Saw FAST channel has launched.
- Hunger Games: The channel includes the five films released to date from the series.
- John Wick: The new channel will house all four existing chapters. This comes as a fifth film is currently in production.
The catalog is positioned to grow alongside the studios’ slate. Saw 11 has been reported as being in development, which would add a new installment to the horror franchise to eventually rotate through the new channel.
Strengthening the LG webOS Ecosystem
From LG’s perspective, this deal is a value-add for its hardware. The channels are integrated into the LG Channels service on webOS. By offering premium studio content for free, LG aims to make its smart TV platform more competitive against rival streaming OS providers. It also allows LG to utilize the LG Channels distribution network, which has previously hosted pop-up events for major releases.
For Lionsgate, the move represents a diversification of revenue. Rather than relying solely on subscription licensing to major SVOD platforms, the studio is retaining control over presentation and packaging, monetizing its catalog through ad inventory on FAST.
What This Signals for Free Ad-Supported Streaming
The arrival of major studio-branded FAST channels in the U.S. and Canada underscores the maturation of the ad-supported streaming sector. FAST viewership has continued to climb as consumers seek lower-cost alternatives to subscription services.
By bundling film franchises with specific calendar moments, Lionsgate and LG are treating free streaming less like an archive and more like linear television scheduling. For consumers, this means more targeted, curated discovery without a monthly fee, and for the industry, it suggests that catalog depth will continue to be a key battleground in the fight for screen time.
Viewers in both North American markets can expect to start discovering these channels as the year draws to a close.
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