The Digiday Podcast Big Tech earnings, AI ads, Roku’s FrndlyTV acquisition + what’s in & out in this year’s upfront
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May 6, 2025 Michael Bürgi, Senior Media Buying Editor at Digiday, joins the hosts to dive deep into the dynamics of the TV and streaming advertising upfront market. They dissect the troubling Q2 earnings from giants like Meta and Amazon, exploring how this impacts ad revenue. The episode highlights exciting innovations in AI ads and Roku's strategic acquisition of FrndlyTV, reflecting on its potential to reshape streaming. Lastly, they unpack the evolving programmatic advertising landscape and the pressing challenges in achieving diversity within the ad space.
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Tech Giants' Ad Revenue Caution
- Q1 2025 ad revenues rose for tech giants, but Q2 faces uncertainty due to tariffs and economic factors.
- Meta and Amazon project caution while Snap avoids forecasting, reflecting broader market doubt.
Ads Invade AI Chatbots
- Ads are entering AI chatbots, with Meta and Google testing ad integration.
- This signals AI chatbots becoming the new front for advertising similar to traditional search engines.
Roku's FrndlyTV Bundling Play
- Roku's acquisition of FrndlyTV positions it to bundle streaming services and compete better.
- This bundling helps Roku attract subscribers seeking easy, consolidated streaming options.