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S4 Capital Confirms Takeover Talks with MSQ Partners - VideoWeek
S4 Capital, the marketing and technology services firm established by Sir Martin Sorrell, this morning confirmed it has entered talks with fellow marketing business MSQ Partners over a potential deal to combine the two companies. News of the talks was first reported by Sky News, and promptly confirmed in a statement authorised by Sorrell. The statement
The WIR: RTL's Ad Revenues Fall but Streaming Climbs, Paramount Completes its Skydance Merger, and Google Hits Back at AI Search Traffic Claims - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Review: RTL reports its Q2 results, David Ellison lays out his vision for Paramount following the closure of its merger with Skydance, and Google releases its own data on AI search traffic referrals. Top Stories Ad Revenues Fall but Streaming Soars for RTL European media group RTL posted its H1 earnings this morning,
Fresh Off Its Rebrand, People Inc. Says It's Ready For 'Google Zero' - VideoWeek
Neil Vogel, CEO of People Inc. As Google has begun to fold AI-generated results into its search engine, and with a slew of studies and anecdotal stories suggesting that AI overviews are tanking search traffic for publishers, talk has begun to emerge of 'Google zero': the
Week in Charts: Criteo Bets on Retailers Bypassing Amazon, Spotify Goes Big on Video, and Reddit Stock Reaches All-Time High - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Charts: Criteo bets on retailers bypassing Amazon, Spotify goes big on video, and Reddit stock reaches all-time high. To have Week in Charts delivered to your inbox, you can sign up to the newsletter here. Quote of the Week Number
Is More Nuance Needed in Comparing YouTube Channels with Traditional TV? - VideoWeek
When UK measurement body Barb released its first set of viewership data for individual YouTube channels on TV sets last week, the findings sparked a big reaction across the industry. There's been a growing narrative over the past few years, pushed by YouTube itself, of YouTube becoming "the new television" (in CEO Neal Mohan's words).
ProSieben Embraces Prospective Takeover as it Recommends MFE's Improved Offer - VideoWeek
For the duration of MFE-MediaForEurope's protracted pursuit of ProSiebenSat.1, the German broadcaster has resisted the Italian media giant's advances. And as MFE has stepped up its shareholding and advocated for moves which would clear the way for a takeover (such as selling off assets outside of
RTL2 and WBD Ad Sales JV Gets Regulatory Approval in Germany due to Competition From Tech Giants - VideoWeek
The Bundeskartellamt, Germany's antitrust authority, has today cleared the formation of an advertising joint venture (JV) between RTL2 and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). The JV is designed to jointly market TV advertising space offered by the two broadcasters. The approval marks a change in tone from a major
Google's AI Mode Risks Breaking its News Ecosystem Says Reach's Chief Content Officer - VideoWeek
Last week Google introduced 'AI Mode', allowing users to query an AI chatbot instead of exploring search results. Coupled with the AI Overviews the search engine generates for some 18 percent of searches, news publishers stand to lose a significant proportion of their traffic; according to
The WIR: AI Drives Reddit Revenues, Australia to Ban YouTube Accounts for Under-16s, and WBD to Split into Warner Bros. and Discovery Global - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Review: Reddit revenues jump 78 percent in Q2, Australia includes YouTube in social media ban for under-16s, and Warner Bros. Discovery announces names of its split companies. Top Stories Reddit Shares Jump 20 Percent as AI Drives Ad Revenues Reddit shares jumped 20 percent after the social sharing company reported its Q2 earnings, posting
YouTube's UK Viewing Share is Second Only to BBC - VideoWeek
The rise of YouTube in the US has made it the most-watched streaming service on TV by viewing share for more than two years. Now the Google-owned service is making similar gains in the UK, according to Ofcom's latest Media Nations report. In 2024, YouTube overtook ITV by share of total viewing to take the
Barb Starts Measuring Most-Watched YouTube Channels on TV - VideoWeek
Barb, the UK TV measurement body, has started measuring TV viewing of select YouTube channels. From today, the joint industry committee (JIC) will report viewing figures for 200 channels on the video sharing service, as part of its regular audience reporting. Barb says this development makes it the first JIC in the world to measure
Week in Charts: Reach's Piers North on AI's Impact on Search, ProSieben Overtakes MFE in Market Cap, and Buyers Report Mixed Experiences with RMNs - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Charts: Reach's Piers North on AI's impact on search, ProSieben overtakes MFE in market cap, and buyers report mixed experiences with RMNs. To have Week in Charts delivered to your inbox, you can sign up to the newsletter here. Quote of the Week
Understanding TV Homepage Advertising Opportunities - VideoWeek
As connected TV evolves, advertisers are exploring new formats beyond traditional ad spots. In this article, TiVo’s Chris Kleinschmidt discusses the growing role of TV homepage ads and their potential to combine scale, visibility, and timing.
The WIR: Netflix Says In-House Ad Tech is Bearing Fruit, PubMatic Launches New Live Sports Marketplace, and EBU Chair Calls for Collective Response to Big Tech - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Review: Netflix reports its Q2 results, PubMatic launches a new live sports marketplace, and the EBU's incoming digital chair sets out his priorities. Top Stories Netflix Says In-House Ad Tech is Helping Ramp Up Revenues Netflix revenues jumped 16 percent during Q2 2025, the streaming giant announced on Thursday, while the
Ofcom Plans to "Strip Away Outdated Restrictions" in Fight for PSB Prominence - VideoWeek
Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, this morning called for "urgent action" to protect public service media (PSM), as public service broadcasters (PSB) fight against global tech giants for audience attention. Ofcom's response includes recommendations to the UK Government to ensure PSBs are fairly compensated, calls to broadcasters to evolve their content and distribution strategies, and
Week in Charts: Greg Peters on Netflix's TF1 Partnership, Lionesses Score Top Ratings for ITV, and AI Drives Reddit's Rocketing Ads Business - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Charts: Greg Peters on Netflix's TF1 partnership, Lionesses score top ratings for ITV, and AI drives Reddit's rocketing ads business. To have Week in Charts delivered to your inbox, you can sign up to the newsletter here. Quote of the Week
The WIR: Reach Doubles Down on Video, PwC Predicts AI-Powered Ads Will Fuel Media Growth, and the FCC Clears Paramount's Skydance Merger - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Review: Reach discusses its video ambitions, PwC hypes up AI-powered advertising's potential, and the FCC clear's Paramount's Skydance merger. Top Stories Reach Puts Video at Centre of Growth Ambitions UK news publisher Reach, which owns the Daily Mirror, Daily Star, and Daily Express among other national and regional titles, reported its H1 financial
"We're Not Dogmatic" on Studios Integration Says ITV's Carolyn McCall - VideoWeek
Speculation around a potential sale of ITV or its Studios division peaked in the first half of 2025, with reports suggesting the UK broadcaster was in early talks with All3Media owner RedBird IMI. ITV CEO Carolyn McCall played down those rumours on this morning's H1 2025
MFE Sweetens ProSieben Offer in Push for International Consolidation - VideoWeek
MFE-MediaForEurope, the Berlusconi-owned pan-European media holding company, this morning announced it has raised its takeover offer for ProsiebenSat.1. The increase comes after the ProSieben board recommended shareholders reject MFE's previous bid, which the German broadcaster called “inadequate from a financial perspective.” The
UK Streaming TV Ad Revenues Set for Double-Digit Growth This Year - VideoWeek
Against a tough economic backdrop of high inflation, rising interest rates and tariff-related concerns, UK ad spend beat forecasts in Q1 2025, according to the latest Expenditure Report from the Advertising Association (AA) and WARC. Ad spend was up 8 percent YoY during the first three months of the year, 1.4 percent ahead
Is Reels Culture Selling Comedy Short? - VideoWeek
Next month will see thousands of comedians descend upon Edinburgh for the Fringe, performing their shows every day for the attention of audiences, critics, awards bodies, TV producers and the occassional lost tourist. And while the festival remains a focal point for the comedy industry, the
Pew Research Demonstrates Sharp Impact of AI Overviews on Publisher Search Traffic - VideoWeek
There have been plenty of anecdotal stories from publishers over the past year or so who have reported that the introduction of AI summaries into Google's search results has seriously dented traffic. Now, new research released by Pew Research Center gives a broader overview of how AI overviews are impacting click-through rates. A study run
The EU's Digital Fairness Act: Explained - VideoWeek
It's just over two years since the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, two landmark pieces of EU law designed to create a more level playing field for big tech companies, came into force. As tends to be the case for any major new legislation, the full implications of these acts are still being
Half of US Buyers are Using Generative AI for Digital Video Ad Creation - VideoWeek
Half of US ad buyers say they are currently using generative AI for digital video ad creation, with another 34 percent planning to use gen AI tools in the future, according to data from the IAB's 2025 Digital Video Ad Spend & Strategy report, released today. And around 30 percent of digital ads bought by
smartclip Launches Agentic AI Platform 'Sidekicks', and Looks Beyond Ad Industry - VideoWeek
RTL-owned sell-side ad tech business smartclip this morning announced 'Sidekicks', a new AI platform which will support operational teams working in advertising via a portfolio of specialist AI agents. The company says Sidekicks is designed to address concrete use cases, at a time when industry interest in the use of AI agents is growing. smartclip
Week in Charts: Mark Read on WPP's Growth Challenges, Threads Usership Rises, and News Brands See High Levels of Trust - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Charts: Mark Read on WPP's growth challenges, Threads usership rises, and news brands see high levels of trust. To have Week in Charts delivered to your inbox, you can sign up to the newsletter here. Quote of the Week Number
Will Younger Content Help FAST Channels Mature? - VideoWeek
Over the last ten years, free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services have established themselves as a free access point to older shows, with channels dedicated to the likes of Baywatch, Murder She Wrote and even Pimp My Ride. But research from Gracenote, Nielsen's content division, reveals that FAST content is
The WIR: Apple Eyes Up F1 Rights, Publishers File EU Case Against Google's AI Overviews, and MFE Considers Higher Bid for ProSieben - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Review: Apple enters talks to acquire F1 streaming rights, publisher file an antitrust case in Europe against Google's AI overviews, and MFE discusses its options for its ProSieben takeover attempt. Top Stories Apple Eyes Up F1 Rights Following Film Success Apple is in talks to acquire US streaming rights for Formula 1, the
ITV and Disney Sign Latest Distribution Deal Between European Broadcaster and SVOD Giant - VideoWeek
ITV announced a new partnership with Disney this morning, whereby the UK and US broadcasters will "carry each other’s streaming services." Starting on 16th July, Disney+ subscribers in the UK will be able to stream select ITV programming, while ITVX will have access to certain Disney+ shows and movies. This means the agreement actually
WPP Appoints Microsoft's Cindy Rose as New CEO - VideoWeek
British agency holding group WPP has appointed Cindy Rose, currently chief operating officer for Global Enterprise at Microsoft, as its new CEO. Rose has sat on WPP's board as a non-executive director since 2019, and has also worked with the agency as a client and partner in previous roles. She will take the reins from
ISBA's Origin Opens Up to the Market as Beta Trial Ends - VideoWeek
Origin, the cross-media measurement solution developed by advertiser trade group ISBA, is now opening up to the wider market following the completion of its Beta trial. Origin's CEO Tom George says that any advertiser can now access Origin's core reporting service once they've paid the 'Fractional Advertiser Contribution' which helps fund the service. Origin has been
Week in Charts: Elizabeth Warren Calls Out Trump's Paramount Lawsuit, Agencies Seek Remuneration Overhaul, and AI Agents Market to Top $200 Billion - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Charts: Senator Elizabeth Warren calls for bribery investigation in Trump's Paramount lawsuit, agencies seek remuneration overhaul, and AI agents market to top $200 billion in ten years. To have Week in Charts delivered to your inbox, you can sign up to the newsletter here. Quote of the Week
What's Driving the US Streamers' French Connections? - VideoWeek
One of the biggest announcements out of this year's Cannes Lions week, certainly from a TV advertising point of view, was the landmark deal between French broadcaster TF1 and international streaming giant Netflix. The partnership will see TF1's content and linear channels made available directly via Netflix's interface in France next year. The partnership —
LHF Restrictions Call for Supersized Creativity on Media Plans - VideoWeek
Christmas may seem a long way away, but brands will already be rethinking their approach to festive ads in light of the upcoming restrictions on advertising less healthy food and drink (LHF) products, which will be banned on pre-watershed TV and all paid online advertising. And although enforcement has been pushed back to January 2026,
How Long-Form Content is Expanding Mail Metro Media's Video Offering - VideoWeek
Last year in Cannes, Mail Metro Media launched a new video studio and commercial unit for long-form, "broadcaster-quality" shows for the Daily Mail brand. One year on, the studio is running video content across the Mail's range of categories, including politics, sports and lifestyle, using YouTube as a distribution channel. "This is something that's new for
The WIR: France Télévisions Distributes Content on Prime Video, Publishers Back Cloudfare's 'Pay-Per-Crawl' Model, and Barclays Downgrades Agency Holdcos Over AI Impact - VideoWeek
In this week's Week in Review: France Télévisions starts distributing content on Amazon Prime Video, publishers back Cloudfare's 'pay-per-crawl' model, and Barclays downgrades the agency holdcos over the impact of AI. Top Stories Amazon to Distribute France Télévisions Content on Prime Video Amazon and France Télévisions have announced a distribution partnership to bring the French public service broadcaster's
Industry Experts Dig into Proposed UK Fossil Fuel Ad Ban - VideoWeek
Yesterday a group of over 100 advertising organisations sent a joint letter to the UK Government, calling for a nationwide ban on advertising by fossil fuel companies. The letter calls fossil fuel companies "the cigarette companies of the 21st century," arguing that the businesses deploy
IPA Pushes for Reforming "Outdated" Agency Pricing Models - VideoWeek
The advertising industry is approaching a "potential tipping point" over agency pricing structures, according to a new report from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA). The report, entitled 'The Price Isn't Right: Why agencies should change the way they price', follows an IPA survey which found that only