Netflix and YouTube are about to interrupt your watch party with AI ads

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET At a time when major streaming services are announcing more and more ads, two more are following suit -- and they're using AI. Also: I used Netflix's secret codes to quintuple my viewing options - here's how Two major media companies, Netflix and YouTube, announced plans this week to utilize new ad formats to keep users engaged, and both are using AI. Netflix is 'marrying' ads with shows Netflix's announcement came during its annual Upfront event for advertisers. Through a new in-house advertising platform, Netflix Ads Suite, the company is adding several creative ad formats. Also: Netflix's new AI search feature makes it easier to find what to watch Among them is an interactive ad format that uses generative AI to "instantly marry advertisers' ads with the worlds of our shows." From Netflix's description, it seems like these ads will blend into whatever show you're watching to feel less intrusive (but hopefully they appear different enough that it' ... Read full article.