To further clarify how valuable that streaming TV data is, we have this report that TV maker Vizio is making nearly as much money from its advertising and data business as it is from selling hardware: $38.4 million for data and ads vs $48.2 million for hardware in the first quarter of 2021, with the data and ad portion growing much more quickly. The value comes from the comprehensive customer data Vizio’s smart TVs can collect.
AT&T is spinning off its WarnerMedia unit and combining it with Discovery, Inc. to create an even larger media business. AT&T shareholders will own 71% of the combined business while Discovery shareholders own 29%. This matters to you, Dear Reader, because the new entity will collect even more customer data than before.
Company could be forced to halt transfer of EU user information to its servers.
Procrastinators of the world can throw a party whenever they get around to it: Google has once more pushed back complete third-party cookie deprecation. The new target is “early next year.” Reasons for the delay include concerns expressed by U.K. data regulator Information Commissioner’s Office, an ongoing inquiry by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority, and widespread discontent in the advertising ecosystem.