Standard Ratings versus User Ratings: What’s the Difference?

Another National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference is in the books, and if anything has changed in the media and entertainment industry, the conference and attendees were there to discuss it. From content evolution to changes in audience preferences to AI being everywhere, to trade uncertainty, it was a topic of conversation at NAB 2025. Official categories included: Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Virtualization, Creator Economy, Sports, and Streaming. If a general conclusion could be drawn, it’s that the legacy media business no longer cuts in today’s market, and to survive these new realities, businesses must rethink how they fit in.

Everything Is Changing

One of the biggest takeaways from NAB is the impact the creator economy is having on the industry. Dozens of panels focused on how individuals and small-team productions have upended traditional business models and economics, attracting large audiences from traditional producers while also siphoning away ad revenues and production contracts. Recognizing this trend, hundreds of exhibitors demonstrated how their products or services support all types of creators while also providing benefits to traditional media companies. The NAB also introduced two new initiatives to support this growing sector: the Creator Council and the Creator Lab.

In a keynote session, media cartographer Evan Shapiro highlighted the extent of the shift, pointing out that by 2027, the creator economy is expected to grow to half a trillion dollars, nearly doubling its value from last year ($250 million). Shapiro, recognizing the difference between the creator economy and influencers, cites their effectiveness in attracting and engaging large audiences without having to deal with “gatekeeper-led content.” His final point was that this new reality presents the M&E industry with two options: embrace it or get left behind.

Market and Regulatory Uncertainty

The current uncertainty in global trade markets and the impact of tariffs on product purchases has cast a significant chill on many exhibitors at NAB. This was especially true for those companies whose products were manufactured or included parts from impacted countries or markets (services are not yet subject to tariffs). Many companies encouraged customers to expedite purchases to take advantage of existing inventories and avoid significant cost increases as tariffs are implemented. Attendees and speakers also expressed concerns about how regulatory changes from the FCC and regulators in other countries might impact  children's television programming, the news distortion policy, technical rules (e.g., ATSC 3.0), and TV carriage rules (e.g., non-duplication, and syndicated exclusivity).

Monetization Evolves as Markets Evolve

The continued growth of OTT/FAST and the rapidly expanding creator economy means competition for eyeballs and ads will only become more intense. Evidence of this was on clear display during NAB 2025:

• Traditional Broadcast Disruption: The rise of streaming services and changing viewer habits are challenging traditional broadcast models, necessitating a reimagining of revenue strategies.
• Fragmented Audiences: The audience is increasingly fragmented across linear streaming, on-demand platforms, and traditional broadcast, making it more difficult for advertisers to reach consumers effectively.
• Hybrid Models: Streaming services are increasingly adopting hybrid monetization models, such as AVOD or FAST, to supplement their subscription revenues.

A key component of all of these strategies is high-fidelity metadata. Without it, content marketing, search, and discovery, as well as contextual advertising, are much more difficult to achieve. With it, compliance, brand safety, and audience acceptance increase significantly.

AI Everywhere

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its increasing impact on content creation, marketing, and virtual production were everywhere at NAB 2025. Nearly 300 exhibiting companies from around the world demonstrated products that included or were enhanced by AI across every phase of content production, marketing, advertising, and distribution. Among them, Spherex highlighted its flagship product, SpherexAI, and demonstrated how it is transforming global video compliance and contextual advertising through scene-level intelligence and cultural insight. It also facilitates ad placement where they will resonate and yield better audience results.

The takeaways from NAB 2025 paint a clear picture: the media and entertainment landscape is in constant flux, demanding adaptability and innovation for survival. The undeniable surge of the creator economy, coupled with market and regulatory uncertainties and the evolving monetization models driven by streaming, presents both challenges and opportunities for traditional and new players. Overlaying all of this is the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence, poised to reshape every facet of the industry.

Ultimately, NAB 2025 underscored a fundamental truth: standing still is no longer an option. The future of media and entertainment belongs to those who embrace change, leverage new technologies, and understand the shifting dynamics of both content creation and audience engagement.

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Spherex is headed to Las Vegas for NAB 2025, and we’re bringing a bold new expansion of our flagship product, SpherexAI. Join us at Booth W1456 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center from April 6-9 to see how we’re transforming contextual advertising with cultural and emotional intelligence.

As the media and advertising industries look to AI for smarter targeting and better brand alignment, SpherexAI offers a groundbreaking solution. By analyzing the cultural and emotional context of streaming video at the scene level, SpherexAI helps advertisers engage audiences more meaningfully while reducing the risk of misaligned or unsafe ad placements.

The Power of Scene-Level Intelligence

At the heart of our advertising innovation is SpherexAI’s multimodal platform, which processes thousands of signals from every frame—visuals, audio, dialogue, and on-screen text—to create rich metadata that understands the tone, mood, and narrative context of video content.

This deep, scene-level intelligence powers a range of capabilities that can dramatically improve campaign effectiveness:

• Smarter Ad Targeting – Ads are delivered when viewers are most emotionally receptive, based on the precise tone and content of each scene.
• Seamless Integration – Ads align with the story arc instead of disrupting it, increasing both engagement and recall.
• Cultural Sensitivity at Scale – Our patented Cultural Knowledge Graph ensures ad messaging aligns with local customs, values, and regulations in over 200 countries and territories.
• Enhanced Brand Safety – SpherexAI actively prevents ad placements in scenes that could be offensive, inappropriate, or reputationally risky.

Whether you're building a global campaign or fine-tuning messaging for a specific region, SpherexAI ensures your ads resonate with cultural nuance and emotional precision. Best of all, this isn’t vaporware; SpherexAI can be added to your workflows today!

See It In Action

At NAB 2025, we’ll be demoing how SpherexAI empowers advertisers to connect with audiences in powerful new ways—by aligning their campaigns with the content people are already emotionally invested in.

Book a Demo

Ready to experience the future of contextual advertising? Book a meeting with the Spherex team or drop by Booth W1456 during NAB 2025. We’re excited to show you how scene-level cultural intelligence can elevate your strategy and unlock deeper audience engagement.

On March 19, 2025, Spherex CEO Teresa Phillips joined a distinguished panel of female executives for the OTT.X BUZZ session—Women’s History Month Edition. This engaging discussion covered the latest trends in OTT and digital video while shedding light on women's unique experiences navigating the media and technology industries.

Moderated by Charlene Polite Corley, VP of Diverse Insights & Partnerships at Nielsen, the panel featured:‍

• Teresa Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Spherex
• Jenn Chen, Chief Revenue Officer, JWP Connatix
• Maria Hellström, Chief Executive Officer, Codemill
• Laura Martin, Managing Director, Senior Internet & Media Analyst, Needham & Company
• Paige Sherman, Director, Digital Video Programming, Shout! Studios

Teresa shared valuable insights on leadership, career development, and the evolving role of women in media. Reflecting on her journey in a male-dominated industry and the U.S. Army, she emphasized the impact of mentorship and sponsorship in shaping successful careers. Offering practical advice for early and mid-career professionals, Phillips highlighted the importance of adaptability, recognizing career pivot points, and leading through times of transition.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion Throughout the session, the panelists tackled some of the most pertinent topics facing women and the industry today, including:

• Work-Life Balance and Corporate Support: The panel explored how companies can better support caregivers, highlighting policies that enable a more inclusive and sustainable work environment.
• The Rapid Evolution of AI in Media: With AI and automation playing an increasingly central role in content distribution, Phillips emphasized Spherex’s role in leveraging AI-powered tools to help studios navigate cultural and regulatory landscapes worldwide.
• Leadership in a Shifting Industry: The panelists reflected on how they’ve adapted to significant industry changes, from the rise of FAST channels to the increasing role of data-driven decision-making in content strategy.
• Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Media: The discussion tackled informal workplace dynamics that impact women’s success, from navigating corporate culture to advocating for fair representation at leadership levels.
• Balancing Authenticity and Career Growth: Panelists shared insights on maintaining personal authenticity while adapting to workplace expectations in male-dominated spaces.

Looking Ahead: Women Driving Industry Innovation -The panelists reinforced that women’s leadership in M&E is not just necessary—it’s a competitive advantage. As AI, automation, and viewer behaviors evolve, diverse leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of streaming.