ITV vs NBC Sports

GVTLabs launches AskGVT to make video content searchable

GVTLabs, founded by InfoSum's Nick Halstead, has emerged from stealth with AskGVT, an AI product that makes video content searchable. The tool allows users to query a creator's video feed and receive text-based answers along with relevant video clips. It differentiates itself by sourcing answers solely from the creator's own videos, preserving their voice and expertise. Creators can offer access to their AskPage via day, week, or monthly passes, control which videos are searchable, and use a Studio for content planning. Enterprise products include GVTLabs Studio, Roster, and Channels for media companies and rights holders to mine their archives for insights or campaign planning. The company has appointed Rhys McLachlan, formerly ITV's Director of Addressable Advertising, as Head of Media Partnerships.

• GVTLabs launched AskGVT, an AI product for searching video content.
• AskGVT allows users to query a creator's video feed and receive text answers with video clips.
• Creators can monetize access to their AskPage via day, week, or monthly passes.

RTL Ad Alliance Expands to Spain

RTL AdAlliance, the international sales house owned by RTL Group, has formally launched in Spain by opening its first office in the country. The expansion is part of its 'Total Video' strategy, offering advertisers a single access point to premium European video inventory from broadcasters such as RTL, ITV, M6, Rai, and France Télévisions. The new office, led by VP of International Sales Artur Kobryn and a dedicated team, will sell TV and online video inventory. To support its growth, RTL AdAlliance has formed a strategic alliance with local broadcaster Atresmedia Publicidad. This move aims to compete for international advertising budgets that might otherwise go to US tech giants, capitalizing on Spain's fast-growing digital video advertising market. The initiative is part of a broader European expansion strategy led by CEO Stéphane Coruble.

• RTL AdAlliance has opened its first Spanish office and formally launched in Spain.
• The company formed a strategic alliance with Atresmedia Publicidad to support its growth.
• The office will sell TV/video inventory for European broadcasters including RTL, ITV, M6, Rai, and France Télévisions.

Friday the 13th Prequel Series 'Crystal Lake' Premieres October 15 on Peacock

NBCUniversal's newsroom media page now features a new press release announcing the premiere of the 'Friday the 13th' prequel series 'Crystal Lake' on Peacock on October 15.

NBCUniversal Cuts Hundreds of Streaming Jobs

NBCUniversal is cutting hundreds of employees from its global streaming technology organization, with the deepest impact on its European Sky unit and some US-based staff. The reductions, affecting engineering and quality-assurance roles supporting streaming products, were announced internally on Wednesday. Due to UK labor rules, Sky-side dismissals will follow a consultation period. The move comes as Comcast prepares to spin off NBCUniversal, including Peacock and Sky, next summer. Company leaders frame the reorganization as aligning resources with future growth and ensuring effective operation post-separation. Peacock recently reported its first adjusted EBITDA profitability, but investor pressure on traditional media remains. The cuts follow an earlier round in March after Showmax shut down.

• NBCUniversal is cutting a few hundred employees from its global streaming technology organization.
• The cuts most heavily affect Sky, Comcast's European media business, and reach some US-based workers.
• Employees were told of the reductions on Wednesday, with UK consultations starting the next day.

NBC Sports Launches Comic Book NBA Marketing Campaign

NBC Sports is marking the start of its second season of NBA broadcasting with a comic book-themed marketing campaign, turning star players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry into superheroes. The campaign, created with veteran comic artists, includes a limited-edition comic book titled 'Tip Off' narrated by broadcaster Mike Tirico, with unique covers for all 30 teams. Activation includes appearances at ComplexCon and New York Comic Con, plus a 10-foot-tall installation at Rockefeller Center. The campaign promotes the network's first-ever American Express NBA Tip-Off triple-header on October 20, streaming on Peacock. This initiative leverages nostalgia and fan engagement, building on NBC Sports' successful partnerships across NBCUniversal properties.

• NBC Sports launched a comic book-themed marketing campaign for the 2026-27 NBA season.
• The campaign features a limited-edition comic book titled 'Tip Off' with covers for all 30 NBA teams.
• The campaign will be promoted at ComplexCon on Oct. 3-4 and New York Comic Con starting Oct. 8.