Top 5 Media Landscape Insights- April

Stay ahead of the curve in today’s ever-evolving media landscape with DirectAvenue’s Top Five Critical Media Landscape Observations. We provide you with critical network updates and emerging media trends in a clear, digestible format.

April 1, 2025

1. Nearly 25% of US Households –An increasing number of U.S. consumers are now spending on streaming services at levels comparable to what they previously spent on traditional TV platforms such as cable and satellite, which is about $100 per month. According to Bango, a mobile payments company for digital content, and research from 3Gem, nearly 25% of American households now spend more than $100 a month on streaming and subscription services.
2. Google Launches AI Mode for Search- Google announced that it is testing a new feature called AI Mode for Search. This experimental tool delivers an entire page of AI-generated content in response to user queries. Google says AI Mode also organizes information to encourage deeper exploration and follow-up questions. According to Robby Stein, VP of Product for Google Search, the tool runs multiple related searches at once across subtopics and sources, then compiles the results into a clear, easy-to-digest format.
3. After record breaking ad sales, Comcast NBCU and the Olympics team up again – The Olympics and Comcast NBCUniversal are extending their partnership with a new $3 billion deal, granting NBCUniversal media rights for U.S. Olympic coverage through 2036. The agreement also includes new initiatives and projects. IOC President Thomas Bach praised NBCUniversal’s innovative strategy across platforms, enhancing the partnership for athletes, stakeholders, and fans.
4. Sports betting TV spend: $130M, FanDuel and DraftKings tops- Sports betting and online gambling brands invested approximately $130.8 million in national TV advertising over the past 90 days, based on estimates from EDO AdEnGage. This spending was spread across 24,110 airings, generating 10.9 billion impressions, aligning with the high-profile NFL playoff and Super Bowl coverage during that period. The figures are largely consistent with the same period last year, when spending reached $133.4 million across 33,010 airings and 12.2 billion impressions.
5. AI adoption for campaigns lags amid data- According to the IAB’s State of Data 2025 report, just 30% of agencies, brands, and publishers have fully implemented artificial intelligence (AI) throughout their media campaign processes. While half of those who haven’t fully integrated AI plan to do so by 2026, most lack a clear strategic plan. Those without plans in place risk falling behind their industry competitors, losing consumer trust, and encountering legal repercussions.