New pre-home- screen video ads are sparking backlash as Roku’s monetization push clashes with users’ expectations for a paid device experience.

Perplexity’s new ad makes Google a target: The company’s biggest ad yet, led by “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae, could continue the push toward a more divided AI market.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the next waves to hit the streaming world: which platform will emerge as the streaming hub, how will “content tiers” change viewer behavior and subscriptions, and can streaming maintain sizeable enough audiences for awards shows and Presidential debates? Tune in to the conversation with Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, our Senior Editor Daniel Konstantinovic, and Vice President Paul Verna. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why Netflix viewers are spending less time on the platform, how the free ad-supported streaming players are getting on, and how a less discussed social platform has fast become one of the places Americans spend most of their social media time. Tune in to the episode with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Forecasting Writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, Senior Forecasting Analyst Zach Goldner, and Senior Director of Forecasting, Oscar Orozco. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Subscription OTT streaming is one of only a few media categories still seeing meaningful time spent growth in the US. The major platforms are heading in different directions, however.

Oscars viewership falls 7% but improves across younger demographics: The ratings decline doesn’t necessarily mean that live events are a lost cause.

Hulu’s technical breakdown at the Oscars sparks backlash: Subscribers missed key moments as the stream crashed early, exposing the platform’s struggles with high-profile live events.

Top-line time spent with media will grow very little in the US going forward, making it essential to identify which formats and platforms are winning the newly zero-sum competition for consumer attention.

Disney-WBD streaming bundle sees strong retention: 80% of subscribers stay after three months, outperforming Netflix in that regard.

Disney’s password-sharing changes didn’t boost subscriptions—yet: The company saw a slight dip in Disney+ subs as it faced a tough holiday period.

In January, the most interesting retailers capitalized on New Year’s trends like resolutions, lower-alcohol consumption, and an influx of holiday returns. Poshmark and Sephora introduced new partnerships, while Amazon and Temu increased their own retail media-related offerings. Here are the eight most significant retail developments of January 2024, ranked by their potential market impact.

This year, streaming services will finally earn more than traditional TV in subscription revenues.

Disney will attract major attention at Upfronts: Ad-supported subscribers surpassed 157 million, giving it a leg up over the competition.

Video ad spending continues to outpace overall digital ad spending and will power the fastest-growing ad-supported media.

Connected TV is no longer a niche ad channel—it’s the new normal. With streaming platforms adding ad-supported tiers and Amazon flooding the market with inventory, CPMs are dropping while ad opportunities expand.

By Q2 2025, Netflix and Max will be the only streaming services to have average CPMs higher than $30, per our September 2024 forecast.

CTV inventory has surged, but the linear TV ad market remains much larger.

Retailers, streamers embrace shoppable TV ads to shorten the path to purchase: WBD, Amazon, Kroger, and The CW Network are relying on the format to drive product discovery and sales.

A hot mic moment revealed Disney’s advertising audience: The company’s Q4 earnings came with AVOD revelations and significant gains in India.