Let’s look at the purpose of FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channels like GSC. There are only so many hours in a day for cable networks to schedule their original and acquired content, and most network schedules tend to emphasize their more recent content. FAST channels provide an outlet for networks to run their older library content and make a little money doing it. It’s not entirely unlike the explosion of third-tier rerun-heavy networks in the early days of digital cable, except there’s less startup cost with FAST, and competition for channel space is mostly a non-factor with FAST.
GSC is such a case: It gives GSN an outlet to make a little money off older library content that the main channel is mostly done with. (Harvey Feud is a bit of an oddball for GSC, but it’s a high-profile program that helps bring eyeballs, and it runs in the morning where it’s not going to cannibalize ratings on GSN or in syndication. I suspect it’s contractually required to stay there.) Plus, main GSN has done a good job getting on skinny subscription streamers like FrndlyTV and Philo, that target cord-cutters and cord-shavers who still want certain subscription programming but don’t want the high cable bills. GSN seems to adapting pretty well to the changing cable landscape, from what I can tell.
Now, I’m sure Sony is keeping an eye on the changing landscape. Could they do something different with GSN eventually? Sure, it’s possible. Personally I’d expect they’d move GSN to FAST, possibly as a hybrid a la BUZZR or ION, rather than killing it off entirely. But I don’t see that happening in the immediate future.
