The next 20 years: What role will large social platforms like YouTube play in the future of the creator economy?

For the past two decades, YouTube, and large social media platforms like it have been at the center of the creator economy. But many creators have learned that building a business on top of a platform you don't own or control comes with downsides. As a result, after two decades of platform dependency, several large creators have started experimenting with more direct-to-consumer (D2C/DTC) outlets for their content.

Countdown to compliance: preparing for the European Accessibility Act (EAA)

For businesses across the EU and beyond, 28 June is the start of a compliance clock ticking toward critical milestones outlined in the European Accessibility Act (EAA). The EAA isn't just another set of regulations; it's a move toward a more inclusive, accessible digital world. Any business offering services within this space must start to consider how they will be impacted.

Building a Bingeworthy Content Future on Hybrid Cloud

Cloud computing offers an enticing solution to the Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry's scaling, collaboration, and efficiency needs. Yet, full cloud adoption is fraught with unique challenges, including costs, latency, security and compliance. Media companies need more than a "one-size-fits-all" solution. They need a strategy that balances the best of both cloud and on-premises workflows. That's why hybrid cloud architectures are becoming the norm—not the exception—for streamers and broadcasters who are playing to win.

Streaming Platforms and CDNs: Time for Disruption

CDNs are clearly strategic partners for content streamers, yet content delivery is often viewed as a commodity service. This has resulted in massive turmoil within the CDN industry. Several CDNs have already collapsed under the pressure or simply left the market. Other CDNs, to remain viable, have diversified into areas such as security and edge computing. That might be a great business strategy for the CDNs—but it means they're no longer solely focused on the needs of streaming video platforms.

Video encoding and decoding's interoperability problem—and what we can do about it

Video encoder and decoder interoperability remains one of the most frustrating and time-consuming challenges in live video workflows, especially in IP-based, protocol-native distribution. Even when everything looks good on paper, the result on screen can be anything from smooth playback to stuttering video and missing audio. So why does this happen? And more importantly, what can we do about it?

AI-Driven Audience Segmentation Is Reshaping Ad-Supported Streaming and Unlocking New Revenue Opportunities

Audience segmentation is the process of dividing viewers into groups based on shared characteristics, such as demographics, location, interests, and viewing behaviors. Video service providers use their own data (i.e., first-party data) to create precise audience segments, allowing for targeted advertising, personalized content recommendations, and tailored marketing strategies. This approach not only increases the relevance and effectiveness of ads for viewers and advertisers, it also helps reduce viewer resistance, generate higher acceptance, boost engagement, reduce churn, deliver more valuable advertising opportunities, and unlock new revenue streams.

Predictive Analytics Is the Next Frontier for Media Company Growth

The move to predictive analytics is critical for growth. With increased competition from every angle, media companies need to take advantage of these new innovations to move faster and make more informed strategic decisions. However, the foundation of great analytics is access to the right data and technology, which requires media companies to prioritize elements of their business that might not be as obvious as audience growth or content development - but are just as important for future growth.

Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: The Rise of Hybrid Streaming Architectures

As the demand for high-quality, scalable and cost-efficient video streaming services continues to grow, the industry is undergoing a fundamental shift in video workflow architectures. The notion of a "one-size-fits-all" streaming solution no longer holds up against the pressures of rising audience expectations, live event peaks and a rapidly evolving ecosystem. A hybrid streaming approach—combining on-premises and cloud infrastructure strategies—is the most flexible and future-ready path forward.

Digging into CTV’s 3 Biggest Challenges in 2025

CTV advertising will dominate most brands' media plans in the next 2-3 years, yet major challenges persist. Suvadip Choudhury of Alliant talks about achieving scale, precision targeting, and the lack of overall education holding buyers back, but he also argues that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Live Sports Is Driving Innovation in Ad-Tech

If 2024 was the year of live-streaming sports, Dave Dembowski of Operative writes that 2025 is the year of live-streaming ad innovation. With massive audiences that continue to steal from traditional TV, advertisers are looking for new opportunities to reach massive live audiences digitally. Media companies are working hard to offer the TV advertising experience of the future. That future will include new forms of targeting, interactivity, creative ad formats, and much more.

Why Your Desire for Free TV Could Cost You

As more users turn to unauthorized streaming sites to bypass subscription paywalls, cybercriminals are exploiting this demand through deceptive tactics. From malware-laden downloads disguised as media players to fake CAPTCHA verifications that silently execute malicious scripts, these attacks turn unsuspecting viewers into easy targets. This article, written by lead cybersecurity analyst Josh Taylor at Fortra, breaks down how these schemes work, their impact on users and the streaming industry, and steps media companies can take to protect their platforms and viewers from evolving threats.

Adopting IPv6 Will Improve CTV Advertising

IPv4 is the current IP address protocol and it's very limiting for advertisers. It bundles many devices into a single address. IPv6 has existed for years, but has not caught on because there wasn't any business pressure to switch over to it. With advertisers looking for more precision, now is the right time to make the switch. TrueData's VP of products David Berman explains why IPv6 is a meaningful improvement and what it can do for the advertising industry.

The CTV Honeymoon Isn’t Over: A Path to Renewed Growth

Connected TV advertising has been the darling of the ad industry in recent years. However, recent forecasts indicate a slowdown in spending growth. By 2028, year-over-year spending growth will move into the single-digit territory. But the honeymoon doesn't have to be over. Nicole Scaglione of PubMatic looks at the current headwinds facing CTV advertising and several key areas where realignment could jumpstart growth again.

How the Buy-Side is Approaching Data and Identity Challenges

Navigating today's fragmented, privacy-conscious media landscape is a bit like stepping into a dense jungle. The buy-side—marketers, agencies, and demand-side platforms (DSPs)—must find their way through signal loss, measurement challenges, and evolving consumer expectations. But this isn't just a challenge; it's a strategic opportunity. Allison Omealia of Experian Marketing Services dives into how buy-side players can use data and identity solutions to be their guide through the jungle and emerge as winners.

2025 Demands Radical Collaboration and AI-Driven Innovation

The convergence of advanced technology and the growing influence of big tech has set the stage for 2025 to become a pivotal year for businesses. As industries evolve, companies must break free from outdated models and embrace cutting-edge innovations to truly engage and empower their audiences. This shift isn't just an opportunity—it's a necessity for those looking to thrive in today's user-driven landscape. Forward-thinking strategies, driven by collaboration and AI, can help M&E companies not just stay afloat but lead in 2025 and beyond.

5 Ways to Prepare Your Video Service for the Holidays

The holiday season brings more than just festive cheer: it brings a significant spike in streaming viewership, as families gather to enjoy their favourite shows, movies, and seasonal specials. With viewers spending more time at home and streaming expectations at an all-time high, it's crucial to ensure video services are fully prepared. Yoann Hinard, Chief Operations Officer at Witbe, has created a checklist to help streaming service providers deliver an exceptional viewing experience this peak season.

CTV Ad Buyers Think They Want Show Title Data, But They Don’t

Brands are clamoring for one signal above all else: show title data. CTV represents the merging of digital-era granular targeting and TV programming's deep engagement. It's no surprise that ad buyers would want to mimic the TV advertising practice of going after specific programs that draw big audiences. Yet, when it comes to CTV, show-title data isn't the answer that advertisers want it to be. 

Content Piracy in 2025: Emerging Threats and Strategic Responses

Modern content pirates are smart. They have a deep understanding of the technology used by their victims and of the anti-piracy and cybersecurity solutions built to stop content theft. As we approach 2025, content piracy continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, with pirates leveraging increasingly sophisticated technologies and distribution methods. Robin Boldon of Friend MTS writes that the most effective way to combat it is to anticipate, adapt, and scale techniques to keep pace with the shifting pirate landscape and predict and match pirates' talent for reinvention.

The Cloud-Based Security Shift

Security measures have come a long way since the days when security meant simply signing in and out of the facility and keeping valuable content in a locked room. As technology has advanced and the broadcast industry has adopted new ways of working, security systems have naturally become much more sophisticated. Take cloud security tools - they provide a formidable level of security that, contrary to popular belief, is actually difficult to match on-site. Data is only as secure as the systems and procedures around it; and the security systems safeguarding data in the cloud will likely be more advanced and superior to measures you can implement on-site.

Challenges of New Encoding Scenarios: Reflections on Measuring Perceived Quality

While VMAF has been a valuable tool for assessing video quality, its limitations highlight the need for complementary metrics or the development of new assessment methods. These new metrics should address VMAF's shortcomings, especially in the context of modern video encoding scenarios that incorporate AI and other advanced techniques. For the best outcomes, a combination of VMAF and other metrics, both full-reference and no-reference, might be necessary to achieve a comprehensive and accurate assessment of video quality in various applications.