It’s been about a month since David Wisnia joined NESN as President and CEO of RSN, and he’s already making plans to launch a new service.

During a phone interview late last week, the new head of the Fenway Sports/Delaware North joint venture said his team was preparing to launch NESN Nation, a FAST channel that will be distributed nationally.

“FAST” is an industry acronym that stands for “free, ad-supported streaming TV.” These channels generally distribute content 24/7 and have scheduled commercial breaks built into the programming. Domestically, FAST channels generated an estimated $4.5 billion in revenue last year, up from about $2.6 billion in 2021.

“We will be launching a FAST network across the country,” Wisnia said. “We have not announced the exact time frame yet, but we are very excited about it.” Wisnia added that NESN is “approaching various digital players” to work out a distribution scheme. While he did not name the broadcasters that have expressed interest in airing the channel, major operators in the FAST space include Roku and Samsung TV.

The effort to bring NESN’s programming mix to a broader audience is consistent with Wisnia’s mission to develop new ways for Boston Red Sox and Bruins fans to engage with their favorite teams and original content surrounding RSN’s live games to kick. Innovation has been a hallmark of Wisnia’s media career, which has included stints at Fox Sports, CBS and MGM Studios.

The upcoming launch will be the first major project to come to fruition during Wisnia’s tenure at the superindie, which began on October 28. Just days before he officially began his new role, the Watertown, Massachusetts-based network was unveiled NESN’s unobstructed viewa series of alternative television shows hosted by analyst Andrew Raycroft and featuring former Bruins colleagues Patrice Bergeron and Tuukka Rask.

“We are constantly evaluating our options to attract a younger audience, an audience that goes beyond die-hard hockey fans,” Wisnia said. “You have already won over a significant part of the audience who have commented positively. That’s why we’re constantly experimenting and trying new things to find what works. And those are the things we will continue to incorporate into other sports that we cover.”

Developing new distribution models is key for RSNs as local sports channels continue to try to balance the demands of protecting their legacy pay-TV businesses while ensuring their digital strategies remain ahead of the ever-evolving digital future are ahead. “For now and for the foreseeable future, our MVPDs continue to be great partners and pay significant amounts of money to distribute our content,” Wisnia said. “At the same time, digitalization is the engine of growth and the consumer there. So they follow parallel paths and change over time as consumers change over time and so the focus is on controlling what we can control. Market dynamics will constantly change, so change as needed given those dynamics.”

An Angeleno, Wisnia said he was “super excited” about the FAST initiative, only to be reminded that the preferred amplifier in his new area code was “evil.” (“It’s still a work in progress, man!”)

While Wisnia’s credibility in the sports media is considerable, this is the first time he has been tapped to lead an RSN. In fact, he has two channels, as he also oversees SportsNet Pittsburgh, home of the Penguins and Pirates.

“There’s nothing like the power of sport to build community, build collaboration and experience those magical moments together, and I think that’s still what’s so special about it,” Wisnia said. “It has been the glue that has held the pay TV ecosystem together for the last 20, 25 years and now we are seeing the shift to digital, but the value proposition remains unmatched, regardless of the platform.”

“When you run a general entertainment channel, you’re always trying to figure out what the right programming mix is,” he added. “It’s an equation I don’t have to deal with. The only equation we are dealing with here is how to best maximize your revenue and opportunities.”

Wisnia succeeds Sean McGrail, who stepped down after 40 years of service with NESN. McGrail, who joined NESN shortly after its founding, had served as president and CEO since 2000. He will continue to serve as a senior advisor to the RSN Board.

NESN will release more information about the FAST initiative in the coming weeks.