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Streaming TV Ads Surge in the US as Connected TV Becomes the New Growth Engine

Ad spending on connected TV is set to grow at a strong pace, reaching close to $38 billion in 2026, reflecting sustained double-digit growth in the segment.

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Streaming television is rapidly reshaping the advertising landscape in the US, with connected TV (CTV) emerging as one of the fastest-growing channels for marketers. As audiences continue to shift away from traditional cable and broadcast, advertisers are following suit—redirecting budgets toward platforms that offer both scale and precision.

Ad spending on connected TV is set to grow at a strong pace, reaching close to $38 billion in 2026, reflecting sustained double-digit growth in the segment. This growth is being fueled by increasing viewership on streaming platforms, improved targeting capabilities, and the rise of ad-supported subscription models.

One of the biggest shifts is in consumer behavior. Viewers are now spending significantly more time on streaming platforms than traditional TV, with daily usage continuing to climb while linear TV consumption declines. This shift has created a massive opportunity for advertisers to engage audiences in a more personalized and measurable way.

At the same time, the nature of TV advertising itself is evolving. Unlike traditional television, streaming allows brands to target specific audience segments, optimize campaigns in real time, and measure performance with greater accuracy. This has made CTV particularly attractive for performance-driven marketers looking to balance reach with accountability.

However, the rapid growth of streaming also comes with challenges. The ecosystem remains fragmented, with multiple platforms competing for both viewers and ad dollars. This fragmentation makes it harder for brands to manage campaigns seamlessly across platforms, increasing the importance of unified measurement and cross-platform strategies.

Another notable trend is the rise of ad-supported streaming tiers. As subscription growth slows and price sensitivity increases, platforms are leaning more heavily on advertising to drive revenue. This shift is expanding the available ad inventory and making streaming more accessible to a wider audience.

Despite the momentum, traditional TV is not disappearing overnight. It continues to hold value, particularly in areas like live sports and large-scale events. But the long-term trajectory is clear—streaming is steadily becoming the dominant force in video advertising.

Overall, the US streaming TV market is entering a more mature phase—one defined not just by rapid growth, but by increasing complexity, competition, and the need for smarter, more integrated advertising strategies.


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McDonald’s Brings Football Royalty Together for Global World Cup Campaign

The campaign features an impressive lineup including David Beckham, Lamine Yamal, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Son Heung-min, Christian Pulisic, Santiago Giménez, and Alphonso Davies, creating a powerful blend of football heritage and modern-day talent.

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McDonald’s Brings Football Royalty Together for Global World Cup Campaign

McDonald’s has kicked off its largest-ever FIFA World Cup campaign, bringing together football legends and rising stars in a global celebration of the beautiful game. The campaign features an impressive lineup including David Beckham, Lamine Yamal, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Son Heung-min, Christian Pulisic, Santiago Giménez, and Alphonso Davies, creating a powerful blend of football heritage and modern-day talent.

Launching across more than 100 markets, the campaign is designed to build anticipation ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 while strengthening McDonald’s long-standing association with football. Rather than focusing solely on competition and performance, the campaign highlights the emotional connection fans share with the sport and the memorable moments that unite communities around the world.

A key aspect of the campaign is its storytelling approach. The featured football icons are portrayed in relatable and engaging scenarios, allowing audiences to see a more personal side of the athletes. This human-centric narrative helps create stronger emotional engagement while making the campaign accessible to football fans of all ages.

The initiative also includes the FIFA World Cup 26 Meal, accompanied by limited-edition collectible cups featuring participating football stars. These collectibles are designed to enhance fan participation and create excitement around the tournament build-up.

Beyond television and digital advertising, the campaign extends into interactive fan experiences, exclusive content, digital rewards, and football-themed activations. This multi-platform strategy allows McDonald’s to engage consumers across various touchpoints while strengthening brand visibility during one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

By combining global football icons, fan culture, and immersive experiences, McDonald’s has created a campaign that celebrates football’s universal appeal and reinforces its place at the heart of World Cup excitement.

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Horlicks Steps into RTD Space with New Milkshake Launch

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Horlicks RTD Milkshake Launch

Horlicks has officially entered India’s ready-to-drink (RTD) milkshake category with a new product launch, expanding its portfolio in the country’s fast-growing convenience beverage market. The move reflects the brand’s strategy to evolve beyond its traditional powdered nutrition offerings and strengthen its presence in modern consumption formats.

The launch comes at a time when Indian consumers are increasingly seeking convenient, portable, and nutrition-led food and beverage options. Busy lifestyles, changing eating habits, and rising demand for on-the-go products have accelerated growth in the RTD segment, making it a highly competitive and opportunity-driven category.

By stepping into the milkshake space, Horlicks is combining its trusted nutritional legacy with the ease and convenience of ready-to-consume beverages. The new offering is expected to appeal to families, working professionals, young adults, and consumers looking for quick nutrition without sacrificing taste or accessibility.

The expansion also reflects broader shifts in consumer behaviour, where convenience, flavour, and functional benefits are becoming equally important purchase drivers. Supported by modern retail expansion, quick commerce growth, and digital shopping trends, ready-to-drink beverages are gaining stronger visibility across urban and emerging markets.

A key part of Horlicks’ strategy is extending its established health-focused brand identity into new consumption occasions while maintaining familiarity among loyal consumers. The RTD milkshake format allows the brand to diversify its offerings and participate more actively in a category witnessing rapid innovation and rising consumer interest.

With this launch, Horlicks reinforces its focus on product innovation, category expansion, and evolving nutrition trends, positioning itself to capture growing demand in India’s dynamic ready-to-drink beverage landscape.

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Nike and LEGO Score Big with Football Collab Ahead of World Cup Buzz

The collaboration combines Nike’s strong sporting legacy with LEGO’s creativity-led universe, creating an experience designed to celebrate movement, self-expression, and community engagement.

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Nike and Lego

Nike and LEGO have joined forces for a football-themed collaboration as World Cup excitement continues to build globally. Bringing together sport, creativity, and play, the partnership reflects a shared ambition to inspire younger audiences through football culture and imaginative storytelling.

The collaboration combines Nike’s strong sporting legacy with LEGO’s creativity-led universe, creating an experience designed to celebrate movement, self-expression, and community engagement. Rather than focusing only on competition, the initiative highlights football as a source of creativity, fun, and shared experiences.

Timed strategically around rising World Cup anticipation, the collaboration taps into one of the world’s biggest sporting conversations. Through football-inspired storytelling and interactive brand experiences, Nike and LEGO aim to strengthen their connection with young fans, families, and culturally engaged audiences.

The partnership also signals the growing rise of cross-category collaborations in modern marketing. As brands increasingly seek cultural relevance and deeper audience engagement, partnerships between sport, entertainment, and lifestyle brands are becoming powerful tools for expanding consumer reach and emotional connection.

A key strength of the initiative lies in its youth-focused approach. By blending athletic inspiration with playful creativity, the campaign creates a message that feels energetic, inclusive, and globally relatable. It positions football not only as a sport but as a platform for imagination, participation, and personal expression.

The collaboration reflects both brands’ broader commitment to encouraging active play and creativity among younger generations. With World Cup momentum building, Nike and LEGO’s football partnership demonstrates how global brands can leverage cultural moments to create meaningful, experience-driven engagement beyond traditional marketing communication.

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