New Video Frontiers 2026: What to Expect

Why It Matters

The event maps the next wave of CTV and AI integration, shaping spend, measurement and talent strategies for the global advertising ecosystem. Attendees gain actionable insights that will influence budgeting and technology investments throughout 2026 and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• Omdia predicts CTV ad spend will outpace linear TV by 2026
• AI-driven ad trading infrastructure seen as next industry breakthrough
• Epsilon addresses CTV fragmentation, showcasing Publicis Groupe’s success
• Panel debates build‑buy‑borrow model for TV ad tech platforms
• Snap UK GM discusses social‑to‑TV convergence in fireside chat

Pulse Analysis

The New Video Frontiers 2026 conference arrives at a pivotal moment for the video advertising landscape. As connected‑TV (CTV) consumption accelerates, advertisers are scrambling to reallocate budgets from traditional linear TV to programmatic, addressable formats. Industry analysts, such as Omdia’s Matthew Bailey, project that CTV ad spend will eclipse linear TV spend by the mid‑2020s, driven by higher engagement rates and granular audience data. This shift forces broadcasters and platforms to modernise their supply chains, with AI‑powered ad‑trading infrastructure emerging as a critical lever for efficiency and scale.

Beyond spend, the conference spotlights the technical and operational challenges that still hinder CTV growth. Sessions on fragmentation, operating‑system layers, and AI‑enhanced creative workflows reveal a market wrestling with interoperability and measurement standards. Companies like Epsilon and TiVo Ads are presenting solutions that promise unified data monetisation, while panels debate whether the industry should build, buy, or borrow the next generation of ad‑tech stacks. The Future Stage’s focus on creator economics and vertical video underscores a broader trend: advertisers are seeking new formats—short‑form, AI‑generated content, and video podcasts—to capture fragmented audiences and extend reach beyond the traditional TV screen.

For brands and agencies, the takeaways are clear. Investment in AI‑driven tools, transparent measurement frameworks, and cross‑platform data integration will be essential to stay competitive. The conference also highlights the growing relevance of SME advertisers, with sessions dedicated to simplifying TV entry barriers. As media owners consolidate and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, the insights shared at New Video Frontiers will help marketers navigate a rapidly evolving ecosystem, ensuring that spend is directed toward measurable outcomes and sustainable growth.