Observed Signal · Feb 9, 2026 · Interview · Source: VideoWeek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive

Video Dominates ROI, Leaving Linear TV Behind

Executive Signal Summary

Bicycle’s Head of AV, Dylan Pritchard, says the agency has shifted toward a video-first strategy as new measurement tools and attribution models show video delivers higher ROI than linear TV. In a VideoWeek interview he credits platforms such as The Trade Desk and Amazon DSP for enabling programmatic, PMP-level video buying and says solutions like Adalyser and MMM have validated video’s performance for both brand and direct-response campaigns. Pritchard highlights operational concerns in CTV supply — widespread reselling and lack of inventory transparency — and warns UK broadcasters risk losing audiences and ad revenue to tech-native streamers like Netflix. He also describes agency role changes (advisory, integrating AV and programmatic teams) and emphasises unique reach and measurement as key metrics when planning video and CTV buys.

Polaris7 AgentPolaris7 Strategic Assessment
High Confidence

Buy-side evidence and practitioner commentary that programmatic video/CTV delivers higher ROI can influence media planning and budget shifts, affecting broadcasters and DSP demand; however, this is an industry viewpoint rather than a platform policy or technical release.

SIGNAL RADAR

Track Netflix Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time

Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your free Explorer workspace to monitor these entities.

Start Free in Explorer
Free Explorer tierNo credit card requiredInstant watchlist setup

Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding

  • Bicycle has shifted its media buying strategy toward video-first and reduced reliance on linear TV.
  • Dylan Pritchard is Head of AV at Bicycle and spoke in a VideoWeek interview on 9 February 2026.
  • Bicycle uses The Trade Desk and Amazon DSP to execute programmatic, PMP-level video buys.
  • Measurement tools cited (Adalyser attribution and marketing-mix modeling) reportedly show video delivering higher ROI than linear TV across campaigns.
  • Pritchard warns UK broadcasters (examples: Channel 4, ITV) face challenges competing with tech-native streamers like Netflix on discovery and programmatic supply.
Primary Source Grounding & Direct Attribution
Direct Origin Attribution
Primary Reporting: VideoWeek•Published: Feb 9, 2026
Original Coverage Title: “Linear TV is "Getting Battered by Video Every Single Time" on ROI - Buy-Side View with Bicycle's Dylan Pritchard - VideoWeek”

Related Market Signals & Shifts

Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.

AI in FilmmakingOct 8, 2026

Ben Affleck's AI Knowledge Goes Viral

Ben Affleck, the actor who sold his AI filmmaking startup to Netflix for a reported $587 million, has gone viral for demonstrating deep understanding of AI technology in recent interviews. He discussed machine learning, neural networks, and even admitted to writing Python scripts. Affleck detailed his journey from analog to digital film, his use of AI in visual effects, and his creation of a proprietary dataset for ethical AI filmmaking. He also visited OpenAI and used his celebrity status to access emerging tech. Affleck addressed AI's potential, expressing concerns about its effect on education and learned helplessness rather than existential threats. He used AI in his movie 'Animals' and emphasized the additive nature of AI in filmmaking.

Read assessment
Streaming ContentOct 8, 2026

Netflix Orders New Bridgerton Spinoff About Violet

Netflix has ordered a new Bridgerton spinoff series focusing on the matriarch Violet Bridgerton and her romance with Viscount Edmund Bridgerton. The announcement was made via the official Bridgerton Instagram account. Shonda Rhimes will executive produce, co-write, and showrun alongside Nicholas Nardini. The series does not yet have a title. Existing seasons 1-4 of Bridgerton and the first spinoff 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story' are currently streaming on Netflix. Season 5, centered on Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling, is in production.

Read assessment
Digital Out-of-HomeOct 8, 2026

OAAA Launches Programmatic Center of Excellence for DOOH

AI is pushing advertising back into physical spaces due to declining trust in online content, the rise of AI answer engines that bypass websites, and the growth of agentic AI. Out-of-home (OOH) and digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising are gaining renewed relevance, with US OOH revenue up 10.7% YoY to $3.16B in Q2 and DOOH up 18.5%, representing nearly 40% of category revenue. To guide this evolution, the OAAA has launched a Programmatic & Automation Center of Excellence led by COO Patrick Dolan, focusing on standardization, workflow automation, agentic AI, reporting/attribution, and omnichannel/retail media integration. The initiative aims to automate both programmatic and static OOH processes, addressing friction points. However, this trend raises concerns about consumer opt-out options and the over-commercialization of public spaces, as noted by Ezra Klein.

Read assessment

Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts

Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.