Faced with booming media rights costs and legalized gambling, broadcasters, streaming services, and leagues are navigating how to stay innovative, remain profitable, and keep sports accessible for everyone. Media rights costs for major sports have surged dramatically, posing a significant challenge for traditional broadcasters like NBC and Disney.

Google and Meta landed slightly below expectations in Q3, allowing a collection of hungry competitors to inch ahead. But overall, the ad industry remains healthy. Sports events drove streaming and CTV to record gains, and retail media continues to be the sector’s fastest-growing ad channel.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the takeaways from Netflix’s record-breaking boxing event, the chances of TikTok dodging a US ban under a Trump presidency, the future of “roadblock marketing”, Perplexity’s new feature that lets you buy things directly within its search engine, the true story that inspired the 1992 film “A League Of Their Own”, and more. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Director of Reports Editing Rahul Chadha, Senior Analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf, and Senior Director of Forecasting Oscar Orozco.

YouTube’s growing prominence on connected TV (CTV) will drive this shift.

From the rise of sophisticated AI-driven tools to new policies reshaping data privacy and competition, 2025 promises to be a year of relentless change. Companies that adapt will thrive, while others risk being left behind in a swiftly moving market.

Streaming services are leaning more on advertising than they used to, resulting in increased overall ad spending but lower ad prices.

Netflix ad-supported tier hits 70 million users: Live sports and exclusive sponsorships boost subscriber growth and advertising revenues.

US eCPMs for digital video, display, and audio formats fell in Q2 2024—the average decrease was slight on a QoQ basis but more pronounced on a YoY basis.

Gen Z leads in digital usage by most proportional measures. However, social network use cuts across categories, influencing video viewing and digital buying.

Max adds 7.2 million global subscribers in Q3: International expansion and ad revenue gains boost WBD’s position in the streaming race.

“Stranger Things” finale marks the end of an era for Netflix: As its flagship series sunsets, the streamer could focus more on reality shows.

Combined with the closure of its AAA gaming division, the move suggests the streamer is still searching for a winning plan for gaming.

Companies large and small will net hundreds of billions in US incremental ecommerce and digital ad dollars in the next two years. Who will be the big winners?

Media habits in Canada have changed, favoring digital across all formats. The GMI report for Canada is a single source for quantifying the pace of change in time spent with media, media adoption, and device ownership.

Netflix Moments boosts social sharing: New feature allows users to save and share scenes, expanding Netflix’s organic reach.

On today’s podcast episode, we examine Netflix from all angles. While subscriptions were up in Q3 of this year, they were down compared to the previous Q3. Find out everything you need about the streamer’s quarterly report by listening to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson and Analyst Daniel Konstantinovic.

Ad-supported streaming is on the rise as viewers opt for cost-friendly options from platforms like Netflix and Disney+. With audience fragmentation increasing, advertisers must adopt smart, performance-driven strategies to stay effective in the evolving connected TV landscape.

The traditional TV bundle will further decay as more live sports embrace streaming.

Study finds 57% of streamers choose AVOD tiers: Consumers seek affordable alternatives amid subscription price hikes.

Netflix cuts its expensive AAA gaming division, indicating anxieties about long-term, high-cost games projects. Focusing on smaller IP-based projects could better align with its business model.