Why CTV advertising should be a core part of your 2025 media strategy!
The 1950s were known as the “golden age of television”—a time when TVs became mainstream household items. Thanks to advancements in mass production and affordability, televisions quickly found their place in living rooms across the world. And from there, the TV industry never looked back. Fast forward a few decades, and while traditional TV still has a presence, the way people watch content has drastically changed. In 2025, Connected TV (CTV) has taken over, becoming the go-to platform for streaming everything from hit series to sports and news. The biggest reason behind this shift? On-demand content and the affordability of smart TVs. With CTV, viewers aren’t tied to a schedule—they watch what they want, when they want. And this shift hasn’t just changed how we consume content—it’s also changing the advertising game. Advertisers are now seeing much better engagement on CTV platforms, making it one of the most effective ways to reach audiences. But what makes CTV advertising so effective? Before we dive into the results, let’s first understand what Connected TV advertising actually is. Everything You Should Know About Connected TV Advertising CTV advertising refers to the delivery of digital ads through smart TVs and other internet-enabled devices such as streaming sticks, set-top boxes, and gaming consoles. To fully grasp how CTV advertising works, it’s important to understand which devices fall under the CTV umbrella. Simply put, Connected TV refers to any television set that connects to the internet and allows users to stream content on-demand through apps and platforms like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and more. This includes smart TVs, streaming media players (like Roku or Fire TV), gaming consoles, and internet-connected set-top boxes. Are CTV and OTT the same? While the difference between traditional (linear) TV and connected TV is clear, there’s often confusion between CTV and OTT, a distinction that matters, especially in advertising. Here’s the key difference: CTV is the device (such as a smart TV) used to access content, while OTT (over-the-top) is the method of delivering that content via the internet to any device—TVs, phones, tablets, or desktops. Think of CTV as the screen, and OTT as the pipe delivering the show. In the context of advertising, all ads delivered specifically to internet-connected TVs are categorized as Connected TV advertising. CTV Ad Formats Advertisers can choose from several CTV ad formats to suit different campaign goals. These include: In-Stream Video Ads – These are full-screen ads that play before, during, or after streaming content, much like traditional TV commercials. Non-Linear Ads – Displayed alongside or over video content, these ads don’t interrupt the viewing experience but maintain visibility. Interactive Ads – These encourage viewer interaction, such as selecting an option, scanning a QR code, or exploring product details on-screen. Home-Screen Static Ads – Shown on the smart TV’s home screen, these banner or tile ads appear before content selection and are ideal for grabbing attention early. The Stats Behind CTV’s Rapid Rise CTV has seen explosive growth over the past two decades—and the numbers speak for themselves. While its origins trace back to the 1990s, CTV’s adoption truly accelerated in the early 2000s. Today, it stands as one of the most dynamic and rapidly expanding channels in digital media, especially in the U.S. market. Globally, the rise of CTV has been remarkable. By 2022, the number of connected TV users worldwide surpassed 1.1 billion. But it’s in the U.S. where CTV’s momentum is most striking. The U.S. alone accounted for 238 million monthly CTV viewers, making it the largest and most mature CTV market. This surge in viewership has driven major gains in CTV ad spending and revenue: CTV Global Revenue is projected to grow from $35.2 billion in 2024 to $46.3 billion by 2026. CTV Ad Spend is expected to exceed $42 billion globally by 2028, fueled by increased advertiser interest and better measurement capabilities. In the U.S., CTV accounts for over one-third of total TV usage, with projections indicating 238 million viewers by 2025. On average, U.S. adults watched 123.4 minutes of CTV per day in 2024, highlighting just how embedded CTV has become in daily media consumption. These numbers underline why advertisers can’t afford to overlook it. Why Are Leading Advertisers Choosing CTV?? The numbers above make it clear—CTV advertising isn’t something today’s advertisers can afford to ignore. But it’s not just the stats that highlight its importance. The real value lies in the unique benefits that CTV offers—benefits that make it a must-have in any media strategy. Here’s why CTV advertising is turning heads: High Completion Rates and Unskippable Ad Formats CTV ads boast a whopping 90% completion rate. This is largely due to the “lean back” nature of TV viewing, combined with non-skippable formats and enhanced targeting. This powerful combination ensures your message not only reaches the right audience—but actually gets watched. Enhanced Targeting Capabilities With access to both first-party and third-party data, CTV allows advertisers to segment audiences with precision. From demographics to content preferences and online behaviors, CTV gives you the ability to fine-tune your ad delivery and reach the right viewers with the right message—every time. Brand-Safe, Premium Inventory Brand safety and quality inventory are no longer concerns. CTV advertising offers premium placements through direct publisher deals and verified programmatic channels, all while leveraging contextual targeting. That means your brand appears in high-quality, trusted environments—every single time. Real-Time Measurement and Optimization Unlike traditional TV, CTV gives advertisers access to real-time performance metrics. You can track views, engagement, and conversions as they happen—and adjust campaigns on the fly. It’s advertising with agility and accountability. Cost-Effectiveness CTV delivers more bang for your buck. Because it’s highly targeted, you’re not wasting impressions on irrelevant viewers. You pay to reach only the audience that matters, which means every dollar spent works harder and smarter. Getting Started with Connected TV Advertising: What You Need to Know Getting started with CTV advertising may seem straightforward on paper, but in practice, it can be complex—especially for advertisers new to the space. That