Accelerated Media Signs Two Station Groups

Accelerated Media has added two more TV station groups, Meredith Local Media Group and Post-Newsweek Stations Inc., to its Connected Ad Network (CAN), a proprietary advertising platform launched across connected TVs. Meredith and Post-Newsweek join dozens of broadcasters, such as KOMO Seattle, WRAL Raleigh, N.C., and 17 Fox O&Os that are using Accelerated Media’s advertising app platform.

Accelerated Media provides an advanced television ad platform that inserts local and national advertising into the digital apps of broadcasters and cable networks. With its CAN, Accelerated Media provides broadcasters increased ad inventory while creating additional advertising opportunities within the applications.

“We’re excited to add such prominent station groups to our expanding client list of broadcasters seeking ways to monetize their smart TV apps,” said Accelerated Media President Doug McGary. “With more than 30 million connected TV homes, we’re on the cutting edge of creating specially designed advertising solutions that drive impressions across emerging, Internet-connected devices and generate revenue for broadcasters.”

Accelerated Media VP of Sales Nick Meyers said that CAN has experienced rapid growth because it builds on all meaningful platforms. “It’s not economical for stations to build their own systems internally,” he said. “The connected TV space has exploded recently, but it remains fragmented with six or more meaningful platforms. Content owners want to be in this space, on the big screen, in the living room, just like Netflix or Hulu; but those content owners can’t navigate the various technologies efficiently.  Accelerated Media builds on all the meaningful platforms; so your channel app is live on all the devices. The ‘make vs. buy’ decision becomes very easy for station groups.  That has really fueled the growth of the CAN’s footprint. ”

Tom Cox, VP of digital content for Meredith Local Media Group, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Accelerated Media to position our stations into the dynamic smart TV app marketplace. Their experts have come to the table with credibility and the know-how to build out our apps and provide a viable framework for monetization.”

Accelerated Media builds ad-enabled apps for the universe of connected TVs, which encompasses both smart TVs (those connected directly to the Internet) and over-the-top (OTT) devices such as connected Blu-Ray players, Google TV boxes and the Roku platform.

“By creating advertising within the apps, Accelerated Media gives us control over the advertising and the ability to generate app revenue,” said Catherine Badalamente, VP of digital media for Post-Newsweek.