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Data-Driven, Quality Ad Experiences Key to Maximising Ad-Supported Video Streaming - ExchangeWire.com

Ahead of ATS Singapore 2022, Magnite’s Gavin Buxton argues that high-quality, viewer-first ad experiences are essential for ad-supported AVOD, as subscriptions slow and major platforms move toward ads. In Asia, AVOD remains the primary driver of OTT growth, with services including Disney+ Hotstar, Samsung TV Plus, Viu, iqiyi, WeTV, Vidio, meWATCH, and SonyLIV. Magnite’s APAC research shows 86% of respondents are willing to watch ads, while 14% prefer paying for ad-free content. Viewers expect premium, non-repetitive ads and on average accept one to five minutes of ads per hour for free viewing, a shift from 10–15 minutes in linear TV. Technologies like Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) support seamless ad delivery, while Live Stream Accelerator (LSA) monetises live CTV. Ad pods help control frequency, and first-party data enables more addressable targeting with privacy considerations.

The Value of Programmatic, Mobile & CTV in Southeast Asia – Adele Wieser, Index Exchange - ExchangeWire.com

An exclusive interview with Adele Wieser, regional managing director APAC at Index Exchange, ahead of ATS Singapore 2022, on the value of programmatic, mobile, and CTV in Southeast Asia. Wieser notes SEA is mobile-first, with rapid smartphone adoption driving programmatic and video demand, especially in mobile. The average SEA smartphone user spends about four hours daily on mobile apps—roughly 33% more than the US/Canada—propelling growth in private marketplaces and programmatic guaranteed for mobile in-app purchases. Video remains central, and a true dynamic CTV marketplace is needed to improve transparency and reduce costs. Local streaming players like Viu, Hotstar, and iFlix bolster content diversity. The interview also discusses the impact of third‑party cookie deprecation, with Google Chrome leading changes and related privacy shifts (IDFA, Android Privacy Sandbox), noting Chrome holds about 74% of SEA browsing share.

Twitter Warns of Financial Struggles - ExchangeWire.com

Twitter warned its Q1 financial performance would fall short as the coronavirus pandemic depresses advertising spending, signaling that social-media platforms may struggle to translate higher user engagement into revenue. It forecast an operating loss and slightly lower sales than the year-ago quarter, despite earlier guidance that Q1 sales could rise and operating income might reach about USD 30 million. Shares dipped in after-hours trading before recovering. Separately, Viu announced partnerships with Singapore's Mediacorp and Thailand's GMM Grammy to expand APAC content, including more than 600 hours of Mediacorp content and a three-year extension with GMM Grammy to One31 and GMM 25, with ad-free downloads for premium users in Thailand. Ooh Media requested a voluntary suspension while considering a capital raise of USD 100–200 million, denying liquidity issues and noting ongoing discussions with major shareholders.