When Gracenote launched an uninspiring new service in connection with FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) metadata at IBC 2023, coined the Gracenote FAST Program, there was little indication that the new service was initially unavailable to US-based content providers. Given the head start that the US has in churning out FAST revenues, this was a strange opening strategy from the Nielsen-owned metadata outfit – appearing to mark months of missed opportunity. Now that the Gracenote FAST Program has settled in Europe (although no program members have been publicly named), the business has belatedly opened the FAST door to US-based content owners. These US asset providers will not appreciate being left behind European rivals targeting the same eyeballs with distribution of…