While the true value proposition of free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) is massively overhyped on the macro-level, the format can be a godsend in certain scenarios. Acting as highly tolerable filler content, FAST can be a great way for budget-conscious video services to pad out their offerings without breaking the bank. Speaking at Amagi’s FAST Conference in London, Virgin Media O2’s (VMO2) Chief TV and Entertainment Officer, David Bouchier, was refreshingly candid about the driving forces behind the cableco’s newborn FAST venture. “Pay TV is at best a stagnating business. We are looking to create a free base of content to keep our users engaged,” he told the audience. For context, Liberty Global-owned Virgin Media is the UK’s cable aggregator,…