03 Apr 2025 | [John Moulding](https://uk.themedialeader.com/author/john-moulding/)
Credit: FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona is capitalising on the growing interest in free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels to expand its brand presence and monetise its video content through advertising, including targeted ads.
The Spanish football club has officially launched the Top Barça linear streaming channel in two versions — Spanish and English — using the Amagi Now cloud media platform.
FC Barcelona announced Top Barça in October 2024 with the promise of 24/7 programming. Designed to complement the Barça One free on-demand service launched in April of that year, fans can expect delayed versions of men’s and women’s matches, youth team football, exclusive documentaries and series produced by Barça Studios, behind-the-scenes content and more.
Amagi Now is credited with simplifying content operations courtesy of its automated workflows, media asset management and what Amagi called “streamlined distribution and monetisation capabilities”. The channels will be available on multiple platforms: in October FC Barcelona listed Rakuten TV and Vidaa (the smart TV operating system content aggregator) among the early distribution partners.
Toni Cruz, director at Barça Studios and Barça One, said: “FC Barcelona has always been a pioneer in connecting with fans worldwide and our partnership with Amagi to launch Top Barça channels is a testament to that vision.
“By tapping into the FAST ecosystem, we are extending Barça’s reach and creating an innovative platform to engage our fans with premium content while driving significant revenue growth for the club.”
FC Barcelona is also using Amagi Now to manage and deliver media to VOD platforms. Srinivasan KA, co-founder and chief revenue officer at Amagi, added: “Our cloud technology enables global brands like Barça to monetise their content while delivering better viewing experiences to fans.”
The La Liga club launched a TV channel called Barça TV in 1999 using broadcast distribution, but in 2023 announced this would close. Since then, FC Barcelona has looked towards a digital video future and the pivot has resulted in Barça One and now Top Barça — marking the first move into FAST for the five-times Uefa Champions League winners.