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Connected TV (CTV)

Advertising delivered through internet-connected television devices and streaming services.

Definition

Connected TV (CTV) refers to advertising on television content streamed over the internet — through smart TVs, streaming sticks (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV), and gaming consoles. CTV ads appear within streaming content on platforms like Hulu, Peacock, Tubi, and programmatic CTV networks.

Why CTV Is Growing

  • Cord-cutting is accelerating — linear TV viewership declining year over year
  • Streaming ad-supported tiers (Netflix, Disney+, Amazon) opening new inventory
  • Offers TV-quality reach with digital-level targeting and measurement

CTV vs Linear TV

Unlike traditional TV buying, CTV allows audience segmentation, frequency capping, and real-time measurement. You can target by demographics, interests, and behavior, then measure actual view completion and conversions.

Examples

  • A D2C brand running 30-second CTV ads on Hulu targeting health-conscious viewers
  • A car manufacturer running programmatic CTV across smart TV apps in specific DMAs

Common Mistakes

  • Repurposing social media ads for CTV without adapting for the big-screen, lean-back experience
  • Not accounting for co-viewing — multiple people may watch on one device