August 19, 2026

Online Video News

Instant Replay: Streaming Media Connect August 2026

Streaming Media Connect returned this week with six dynamic keynotes from NASA+, Google, TiVo, BallySports, Wowza, and TwelveLabs, and peak-form panels on refining your live streaming playbook, tuning latency, matching ads to content, scaling streaming architecture, curbing churn, leveraging AI in personalized content discovery, innovating streaming UX, optimizing QoS and QoE, and a timely dissection of Disney's 4K EU blackout.

Blog

How Big Can Connected TV Get?

At that $30 CPM, the current and near-term supply of CTV inventory translates to roughly $80 billion in annual media value in the U.S. alone. That puts connected TV in the same order of magnitude as the largest advertising channels in the world.

Viewer-Initiated Ads Emerge as a New Category on CTV

The strongest CTV opportunities are increasingly tied to viewer behavior. Buying around a show or a daypart still matters, but it is no longer the whole strategy. Since streaming behavior is viewer-controlled by nature, the ad model needs to evolve to match it, especially as Gen Z ages into prime spending years. Pause ads are an early, useful step in that direction. 

Why Your LLM Thinks “The Madison” Is in Wisconsin

For an LLM, response accuracy is entirely dependent on optimized plausibility, not fact. Data and training can improve results, but no one should expect factual certainty from a machine trained to reply based on probability. As with popular chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini, the LLM within any video distribution service needs grounding to verify, correct, and enhance the responses it provides.

Industry News

Lionsgate Play Selects NAGRAVISION to Protect Streaming Service

NAGRA Multi-DRM, a core solution of the NAGRA Venturi ecosystem, helps Lionsgate Play secure and protect the value of its premium streaming content catalogue, and build a foundation for intelligence-driven streaming security

VisualOn IBC Show Preview: AI-Powered CAE, Advanced Playback & Seamless Ads

At IBC2026, VisualOn will showcase its AI-driven Optimizer suite — cutting bandwidth and storage costs by up to 80% while preserving pristine video quality — alongside comprehensive ad monetization tools and its Open+ Player Suite, plus a joint demo with

IP Showcase on the Water Announces Full Presentation Schedule for IBC2026

The Alliance for IP Media Solutions and the Video Services Forum announced the full IP Showcase on the Water presentation schedule taking place during IBC2026.