Channel 4 has announced what it calls a global first AI driven TV advertising technology that enables the broadcaster to place a brand’s ads next to relevant scenes in a linear TV show.
The broadcaster is seeking advertising partners to test the innovation live on linear TV later this year.
The ‘Contextual Moments’ ad tech automatically identifies unique scenarios within a programme that present valuable contextual opportunities for advertisers. For example, a character in a show might be seen enjoying a cup of tea and this scene may appeal to a tea brand whose advert would then be placed in the following break.
It means for the first time, advertisers will be able to buy bundles of what Channel 4 calls “nuanced contextual moments that are relevant to their brand under categories such as food, hot drinks, relationships or mobile phones.”
The effectiveness of contextual ads is backed by research from Channel 4 and BDRC Continental that shows viewers are twice as likely to remember an advert when it’s viewed contextually, compared to one placed in a regular TV spot.
Results reveal improved brand performance metrics including uplifts in spontaneous awareness (+34 per cent) as well as positive brand perception (+12 per cent) and purchase intent (+13 per cent).
This use of Artificial Intelligence from Channels 4’s Data Science team combines both audio and visual data to automatically identify prominent, positive moments within a show, discarding the negative and human validation will be applied for absolute brand safe assurance.
Jonathan Allan, chief commercial officer, Channel 4 said: “Our pioneering ad tech provides an exciting opportunity for advertisers to test a global first in linear TV ad targeting which we know delivers strong results.
“Our ‘Contextual Moments’ trial offers advertisers the ability to buy bundles of relevant advertising within a quality and safe broadcast environment for the first time ever.”
Effectiveness results from the live trial will be presented to industry later this year.
