Samsung Ads based its research on first-party data from some 32 million Samsung smart TVs in U.S. households. These smart TVs not only allow for inputs from connected TV devices, set-top boxes and gaming consoles, but also come built in with access to Samsung's app store, which is a robust OTT ecosystem in and of itself.

These major deals have served to give the acquiring company new scale to more efficiently compete against technology firms with global footprints.

TripleLift cofounder-chief strategy officer Ari Lewine says the company's "real time, integrated programmatic addressable ads" will come to market this year. The company is currently in a closed beta with a few premium video programmers.

"This Is Not A Game, The Game," will look familiar to fans of HQ Trivia. The non-partisan effort will keep people informed about the elections.

The real prize is ad revenue, with tech-driven companies like Roku and Amazon poised to leverage their data and expertise to drive programmatic advertising and engagement.

As live streams continue to gain in popularity in the eSports world and in other digital entertainment genres, the platforms that host those live-streams will need to grapple with the possibility that the reach and connectivity they provide may have unintended consequences.

Netflix is testing out a new placement for promos for some of its original series: in between shows.

For companies founded with technology in mind, like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, it is an obvious point. For media companies just beginning to enter the arena, like Disney, Time Warner and NBCUniversal, it may require thinking differently.

Is esports the future of live sports -- or is it a fad that will remain niche entertainment? Last week's Overwatch League finals showed esports' strengths and weaknesses.

The rise of mobile video, social video and streaming have already dramatically shifted the way we consume video, but both legacy media companies and new upstarts are betting that these technologies will forge a new set of winners and losers.