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While growing, spending on the medium is still lower than other channels: We forecast podcast ad spending to reach $2.53 billion in 2025, a small fraction of the $82.4 billion spend on social video ads. Okay to pause: Like gamers, podcast listeners aren鈥檛 bothered by ads, especially if ads mean they can access podcasts for free.

Nonmobile gaming ad revenues will grow faster than the overall market, although it remains a small part of the story. Revenues from ads shown on console and PC games will account for about 9% of the gaming industry鈥檚 total take, but the category is growing quickly. We anticipate nonmobile gaming ad revenues will increase by 17.2% this year, to reach $793.7 million.

With party games, GTA, and AI-powered development, Netflix is diversifying. But inconsistent strategy and low TV gaming interest could make this a tough sell.

Non-gaming apps are outpacing gaming apps by revenues as AI and regulations reshape the market. Read article. Honorable mentions:. Google鈥檚 future in question: DOJ considers divestment after monopoly ruling. Users flock to Threads and Bluesky as X faces latest exodus. High costs and low trust are hindering EV adoption.

Gaming became a popular online activity during the pandemic. Growth may be slowing, but it鈥檚 not shrinking, meaning that the majority of those who picked up the hobby during the pandemic have become long-term users.

Netflix cuts its expensive AAA gaming division, indicating anxieties about long-term, high-cost games projects. Focusing on smaller IP-based projects could better align with its business model.

Microsoft bets big on AI and cloud, but TikTok acquisition could reshape its ad strategy: Investors weigh future growth against spending risks and competition.

Global metaverse revenues from gaming, services, ecommerce, and advertising are projected to hit $54.50 billion by 2028, per S&P Global. Our take: Unlike Apple鈥檚 and Meta鈥檚 closed ecosystems, democratized XR and VR spreads hardware and software development鈥攁nd ecosystem expansion costs鈥攁cross various partners.

US adults spend much more time with CTV than social networks. We expect US adults to spend 2:35 per day with CTV this year on average, which amounts to 30.0% of their total time with digital media. They鈥檒l spend 1:31 with social networks, or 17.5% of their total digital time. That gap will continue to widen in each year through at least 2027, per our forecasts.

The news: Fanatics launched Fanatics Advertising, a division that will oversee the company鈥檚 ad and brand partnership strategy across its commerce, collectibles, gaming, and events businesses. Our take: Fanatics is taking its swing at the fast-growing commerce media space. Commerce media represented 18.0% of US digital ad spending last year, and we expect its share to keep climbing鈥攈itting nearly $1 of every $5 spent on digital ads (19.7%) this year and close to $1 in $4 (24.8%) by 2029, the end of our forecast period. Sitting at the crossroads of sports fandom鈥攎erchandise, collectibles, betting, and live events鈥擣anatics has a brand position few, if any, rivals can match. If it executes well, Fanatics Advertising could be a home run by turning its unmatched access to fans into an equally powerful ad play.

Average daily time spent in digital games will rise 1.5% in the US this year to reach one hour and three minutes (1:03) per person, per our January forecast. Total game ad revenue will jump 5.7% this year to $8.6 billion, per our March forecast. Many popular games, like Fortnite, Roblox, and Marvel Rivals, are not story-driven or single-player. Use this chart:.

The youngest US generation is already online and outnumbering its teen counterpart on digital video and gaming platforms.

Our take: Beyond its console and PC gaming implications, the Activision Blizzard acquisition will help make Microsoft a giant of the mobile game industry, where ad revenues and consumer spending are both expected to surge.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 more powerful than spending dollars to drive awareness.鈥�. If brands consider the longevity of these launches within broader marketing strategy, gaming becomes a path to "build relationships with consumers for generations to come," said Irina Shames, chief commercial officer at Open World.