As the TV and streaming landscape becomes increasingly fragmented, the terms used to describe different ways to watch are multiplying. We’ve already broken down the difference between connected TV (CTV) and OTT. With subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms becoming ad-supported SVODs, and ad-supported video on demand (AVOD) platforms building out free ad-supported TV (FAST) platforms, it’s difficult to keep track of what cord-cutters are actually watching. Here’s a breakdown.

To reach the overwhelmingly young, diverse, and growing population of Hispanic consumers in the US, advertisers must understand their media preferences.

All eyes are on streaming. Last year, non-pay TV viewers surpassed traditional pay TV viewers in the US, per our forecast. Years of streaming platform proliferation are over, yielding to consolidation and fragmented ad measurement. Bundles between streaming platforms and partnerships with retail media platforms are forming, leaving media buyers with a headache over how to strategize.

55% of Gen Z adults access streaming TV through someone else’s subscription, according to a December 2023 DISQO study.

Nearly a third of the US population will be free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) viewers by 2027, accounting for a total of 114.5 million viewers, according to our September 2023 forecast. That large audience base, coupled with the rise of new players and the abundance of ad inventory, is making FASTs increasingly appealing to media planners—especially those on a budget.

YouTube Premium hits a subscription landmark: The service now enjoys 100 million subscribers after YouTube spent much of 2023 cracking down on ad blockers.

The year of streaming price hikes: Streaming services became more expensive than ever in 2023, leading to a focus on bundles and cheaper AVOD tiers.

OTT digital video services are now popular everywhere, although fee-based sub OTT is not yet mainstream in every country. The outlook is positive for both free and paid OTT around the world, but growth will slow significantly.

As the economy improves in 2024, companies will be able to turn their focus toward technological advancements and upcoming regulations.

Ad spending growth is tapering off, but major changes are coming to the market, including the deprecation of third-party identifiers, a new era in TV ad measurement, and growing use of AI in advertising.

OTT video viewing is about to get a boost in the UK, as traditional TV viewing gets a broadband delivery option next year.

Connected TV (CTV) ad spend will exceed $30 billion in the US next year, according to our forecast. At a growth rate of 22.4% YoY, that makes CTV one of the fastest-growing ad formats we track. But where those ad dollars are coming from isn’t so simple.

32% of US adults are watching subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services less because they are watching more on free streaming services, per a July 2023 Aluma Insights survey. For 34% of US adults, viewing behaviors across streaming services haven’t changed as a result of free streaming services.