Digital Video Forecast and Trends Q2 2025

Tariffs Upend the Upfronts

Advertisers remain committed to securing inventory in advance. But tariffs and macroeconomic uncertainty will lessen demand during this year’s upfront negotiations.

Key Question: How much money will advertisers spend on upfront TV and digital video ads?

Key Stat: Depending on the severity of tariffs, US linear TV upfront ad spending will decline between $2.78 billion and $4.12 billion during the 2025 broadcast year.

This report can help you develop media strategy and allocate budget for campaigns (brands and agencies).

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9expert perspectives

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    Table of Contents

    1. Executive Summary
    2. Macroeconomic troubles precede the upfronts
    1. Nielsen maintains its lead in the currency wars
    2. EMARKETER Interviews
    1. Sources
    2. Media Gallery

    Interviewed for This Report

    Ron Blevins
    Marketing Architects
    Vice President, Media Strategy
    Interviewed March 28, 2025
    Moe Chughtai
    MiQ
    Global Vice President
    Interviewed April 2, 2025
    Juliet Corsinita
    PMG
    Head of Convergent Video and Audio
    Interviewed April 2, 2025
    Natalee Cecil Geldert
    PMG
    Head of Brand Media
    Interviewed April 2, 2025
    Bryan Goski
    VideoAmp
    Executive Vice President, Revenue
    Interviewed April 3, 2025
    Aaron Lilly
    VideoAmp
    Executive Vice President, Client Success and Growth
    Interviewed April 3, 2025
    Dave Morgan
    Simulmedia
    CEO
    Interviewed March 24, 2025
    Peter Naylor
    McKinsey & Company
    Senior Advisor
    Interviewed April 16, 2025
    Christi Uban
    Marketing Architects
    Senior Director, Research and Insights
    Interviewed March 28, 2025

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    authors

    Ross Benes

    Contributors

    Rahul Chadha
    Director, Report Editing
    Vivian Dong
    Forecasting Analyst
    Chris Keating
    Sakina Thanawala
    Copy Editor
    Matt Torpey
    Senior Chart Editor
    Emman Velasco
    Chart Editor
    Paul Verna
    VP, Content
    Yoram Wurmser
    Principal Analyst
    Ali Young
    Senior Copy Editor and Manager of Content Operations