FASTMaster's proprietary 6-tier framework for scoring true TV network health — beyond total viewers. Applying velocity, demo efficiency, and business model durability to 154 Nielsen-ranked channels, the Vitality Index classifies networks as Pulse, Vampire, Niche Stronghold, Cockroach, Zombie, or Ghost. Of 154 networks, only 12 have a pulse. A multi-part series covering the MVPD Kill List, hidden advertiser gems, and the structural collapse of linear TV.
The Vitality Index
TV is hollowed out, but not dead. While the Big 4 dominate, the real story is in the niches. I explain why Bounce TV has overtaken BET, why Tubi is eating Lifetime's lunch, and why Fox News is the secret weapon for reaching young adults on cable.
The Vitality Index
The "Kill List" is not a theory; it is already happening. I analyze the specific TV networks most at risk of being dropped by MVPDs in 2026. Find out which channels are "Ghosts" and which are "Zombies" in the new media economy.
The Vitality Index
Total Viewers is a lagging indicator. I re-ranked 2025 ratings using a new "Vitality Filter." Forget the Top 10; meet the new ecosystem: The Vampires sucking out value, the Ghosts haunting the EPG, and the few Pulse networks keeping the industry alive.