The Rundown: TV networks, streamers concentrate on content categories on NewFronts Day 4

Digiday’s NewFronts coverage is presented by Amazon.

On the final day of the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s four-day NewFronts, TV networks, streaming services and digital video publishers pitched new ad-supported programming and streaming properties. A pair of measurement providers also took the stage, with one looking to sell more than measurement.

The key details:

A+E Networks will debut a new FAST channel for diverse, young audiences, as well as a home and lifestyle vertical. Tastemade will also lean into the home category this summer with a new streaming channel.
Subscriptions to FuboTV are growing, as the company introduces a new targeting tool to reach sports fans. Wave Sports & Entertainment announced content deals with the WNBA and The Volume.
Despite its large portfolio of media titles, Dotdash Meredith focused primarily on People’s video programming.
Crackle Plus unveiled ad-supported streamers and FAST channels in the lifestyle and entertainment categories and snagged a content deal with BBC.
Presentations by Nuestra TV, Estrella and Canela Media shone a light on the growth of streaming channels for Hispanic and Spanish-speaking audiences.
Vevo shared its expansions plans for its contextual “mood” targeting product, and WMX is exploring CTV “products” as it launches a podcast network.
Measurement providers Comscore and Samba TV talked up new tools, including an advertising product.

A+E Networks

A traditional TV network owner, A+E Networks concentrated its NewFronts pitch on the company’s digital properties, specifically its portfolio of free, ad-supported streaming TV channels and its podcast network.

A+E Networks already has 10 curated FAST channels and four single series FAST channels and will debut a new one this fall called 4UV. It will aim to share the stories of people from different races, genders, sexualities and neurodiversities, to reach a younger and diverse audience. “Our goal is to build a bridge between mainstream and unheard voices through stories that take an intersectional approach to diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Peter Olsen, president of ad sales at A+E Networks.

Meanwhile, the company’s home and lifestyle vertical Home.Made.Nation — previously a weekly programming block on A+E Networks’ basic cable channel FYI — will get new shows and short-form video, for distribution across A+E’s own channels, apps, websites and social platforms.

A+E Networks also promoted its podcast network during the event. Rapper Grandmaster Caz will be part of a new podcast called “Origins of Hip Hop.” And A+E’s top three podcasts (“History This Week,” “Cold Case Files” and “I Survived”) can be sold as an always-on package or combined with video for podcast specific deals, promoted through social and newsletter channels, said Stacie Danzis, A+E Networks vp, digital media sales.

FuboTV

Streaming pay-TV provider FuboTV closed the first quarter of 2022 with 1.36 million global subscribers, up from 1.32 million at end of Q4 2021. In its presentation to advertisers, FuboTV claimed that 94% of its audience is using the service on a TV screen and that most are watching live.

The company announced a new targeting capability that allows FuboTV to create custom audience segments based on viewership behavior. Audiences are categorized as light, …read more

Source:: Digiday