Week in Charts: Candle Media’s Kevin Mayer on Paramount’s WBD Acquisition, Video Ad Spend Grows in UK, and Consumers Question Brands’ Use of AI

In this week’s Week in Charts, Candle Media’s Kevin Mayer on Paramount’s WBD acquisition, video ad spend grows in UK, and consumers question brands’ use of AI.

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UK Digital Ad Spend Grows With Video Up 13 Percent YoY

UK digital ad spend reached £21.2 billion in the first half of 2026, according to the latest Digital Adspend study from IAB UK and mediasense, up 13 percent compared with H1 2025. The report found that video spend increased 18 percent YoY to £5.1 billion, with one-third of investment going to TV+ (which covers CTV and streaming inventory).

Standalone US Streaming Services in Decline Amid Content Consolidation

After rising for 20 years, the total number of standalone streaming services in the US has been in decline since 2022, according to Parks Associates, as streaming companies combine their content and brands. The research notes that 10 US streaming services were phased out in Q2 2026, including Paramount’s BET+, which is now incorporated into Paramount+; and FIFA+, which has moved onto DAZN.

Brands Using AI Risk Feeling “Soulless” Finds Havas Survey

Half of consumers across seven markets feel that brands’ use of AI can feel misleadling, cold, and as though the brand is cutting corners, according to research from Havas. One UK respondent said AI-generated ads felt “lazy” and like “a cheaper alternative to hiring actors or staff”, while a US respondent described them as having “no feeling or depth” and feeling “soulless”.

Italian Broadcast TV Ad Market “Remains Resilient” in PwC Forecast

The Italian video ad market is expected to reach €4.4 billion by 2030, according to forecasts from PwC, with broadcast TV making up 86 percent of the total market. The report notes that despite challenging economic conditions, broadcast advertising in Italy has “remained resilient,” while the expansion of AVOD and CTV advertising will continue to support growth.

The Week in Stocks

Agencies

Agency stocks slipped last week amid renewed enthusiasm for Big Tech-owned AI products, following the launch of Meta’s Muse AI agent.

TV

In a tough week for TV stocks, Paramount Skydance’s share price rose as the company’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) draws closer.

Publishers

Shares in the New York Times slipped last week after major shareholders filed a lawsuit against the publisher, alleging anti-Israel bias in its coverage of the war in Gaza.

Ad Tech

The Trade Desk’s stock price hit a 52-week low on Monday in ongoing struggles for the ad tech firm, which announced it is reducing its global workforce by about 15 percent earlier this month.

Tech

Microsoft withstood broader declines in tech stocks, signalling investor confidence in the tech giant’s ability to generate business demand through its substantial AI-related capital spending.

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