Retail has come off its lengthy run of outperforming overall US ad spending growth. While growth will dip below the average for all industries in 2024, the pace is set to pick up again in 2025 and 2026.

CNN launches $3.99 paywall: It’s a bid to grow digital dollars as cable viewership and revenues decline.

Adding to its suite of customization tools, the use of AI could help enhance subscriber interest amid price hikes and provide personalized music suggestions.

In part one of this two-part podcast episode, we discuss some medium-term predictions that are too specific to be 100% certain about but could still come true, including: why the sentiment towards GenAI might turn, what to expect from Google’s new consent workflow now that it is not phasing out third-party cookies from Chrome, and why Tubi might be about to leapfrog Hulu, Disney+, and Peacock. Tune in to the discussion with host Marcus Johnson, and analysts Ross Benes, Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf, and Max Willens.

After an unexpectedly solid 2023, the good times will continue for ad spending in most US industry verticals in 2024. Telecom will lead in growth, and numerous categories will outpace their 2023 increases. A few unusual results are on tap as well.

YouTube claims 10.4% of daily time spent with TV in the US, according to July 2024 data by Nielsen.

Peacock soars but has catching up to do: Olympics gave the streamer its best month ever in August, but viewership was still dwarfed by Netflix and YouTube.

US streamers will see $66.23 billion in OTT subscription revenues this year, per our December 2023 forecast. Most of that money will come from the biggest players—Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube, and Paramount+—but over a third ($22.91 billion) will come from other streamers. This potential subscription and ad revenue are why brands like Chick-fil-A and the Dallas Stars NHL team are launching their own streaming services. Here are the driving forces behind the growth of these niche platforms.

Disney’s carriage fee dispute game plan: The company blocked access to ESPN and more for DirecTV customers, flexing its power over pay TV providers.

What the rise of piracy says about streaming: Major streaming services helped take down several popular piracy sites last week.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how the new NBA media rights deal will affect all the different players, the concept of consumer modes, how much Google’s ‘AI Overviews’ will affect publishers, what will happen to X’s user base next year, the state of America’s vacation culture, and more. Tune in to the discussion with host Marcus Johnson, forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, forecasting analyst Zach Goldner, and director of forecasting Oscar Orozco.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what happens next now that sports-focused streaming service Venu Sports has been blocked, how to get customers onboard with your AI-infused products and services, how the streaming bundle is changing, the US considering a breakup of Google to address its search monopoly, the most sort after plane seats, and more. Tune in to the discussion with host Marcus Johnson, director of reports editing Rahul Chadha and analysts Ross Benes and Max Willens.

Paris Olympics drives record viewership: NBCU sees 82% increase, highlighting value for advertisers in live sports events.

This year’s Olympics were a major opportunity for marketers, both on TV and connected TV (CTV) and on social media. The Games only come around every two years, but the marketing lessons are applicable long after Paris’s crowds have cleared. From a push for generative AI (genAI) to athletes becoming creators in their own rights, here are five takeaways from the Summer Olympics.

Mexico is Latin America's second-largest ad market by total spending but has the highest digital ad penetration in the region. Here, we explore the country's consumer behaviors and opportunities for advertisers.​

While YouTube’s ad revenue is smaller than what Meta will generate from Reels on Facebook and Instagram, it’s neck and neck with TikTok, and far outpaces streaming platforms.

Consumers are feeling the squeeze of the rising cost of subscriptions. Nearly seven in 10 (67%) US consumers saw at least one of their subscription services increase their cost, per March 2024 survey by CNET. Meanwhile, more than half (52%) of US adults have canceled a streaming service subscription because of increased pricing, per October 2023 data by TransUnion and Dynata.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how Spotify reached sustained profitability, what a “deluxe” tier might look like, and where the audio streaming giant goes from here. Tune in to the discussion with host Marcus Johnson and analyst Daniel Konstantinovic.

NBA lands historic media deals: New agreements with Disney, NBC, and Amazon promise expanded coverage and increased accessibility for fans.

Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann is optimistic about the future of ads on Netflix. “When you get into ‘26 and beyond, [advertising] can be even more meaningful and, hopefully, it becomes to the point where it is a primary [revenue] contributor, given all of that engagement and reach that we’re building,” he said on the company’s earnings call last week.