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Viaplay Exit, ProSieben Video Podcasts, WPP Expansion

This Week in Review covers several media and adtech developments: Nordic group Viaplay agreed to sell its Dutch streaming and broadcasting operations to Videoland (DPG Media) for €142 million as it refocuses on Nordic markets. ProSiebenSat.1 is adding video podcasts from its Seven.One Audio division to its Joyn streaming service, with initial titles and sales handled by Seven.One Media. WPP expanded its Enterprise Solutions umbrella, launching a portfolio of proprietary offerings including AI transformation consulting, “agentic commerce”, owned intelligence, adaptive real-time relationships and intelligent content. Industry funding and certification moves included TwelveLabs raising $100 million in a Series B and Covatic securing £1.5 million for person-level CTV targeting; Nectar360 (Sainsbury’s retail media arm) received IAB Europe retail media certification. The bulletin also summarizes wider TV, regulatory and publisher news affecting the media and advertising ecosystem.

ARD Mediathek to Release Two New Series in August

ARD announced two new series arriving in its Mediathek in August 2026: the eight-episode international thriller "Hooligans" (Israel/Germany/France) will be available from 14 August, with a same-day linear broadcast on One at 23:00; the six-episode German drama "Selling Sex" will be released in the Mediathek on 28 August with a linear premiere on Das Erste shortly before midnight. "Hooligans" is a co-production involving Artza Productions, Elvie Productions, Place du Marché Productions, KAN, Canal+ and German public broadcasters SWR, NDR and WDR; scripts are by Lee Gilat, Izhar Harlev and Ester Namdar Tamam, directed by Lee Gilat. "Selling Sex" was commissioned by ARD Degeto Film and produced by Mia Wallace Productions in co-production with Senator Film Produktion and Fontana; Miriam Dehne serves as head writer/director and Marie C. König as director and co-writer.

CTV's Next Phase: Connect Video, Data and Commerce

At Cannes Lions, industry speakers argued that Connected TV (CTV) is now an established media channel and the next challenge is integrating video, data, commerce and measurement across screens. Dailymotion framed itself as a video adtech company strengthened by its place within Canal+, while Coty’s Rafael Lopez de Azua said the company will prioritise CTV combined with a data layer and retail media partnerships to target shoppers more effectively. The discussion stressed measurement, creative adaptation by device, AI-enabled creative production, and breaking silos between clients, agencies and platforms to create a joined-up global video strategy that links attention to purchase outcomes.