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Linear TV vs Connected TV. Understanding Key Differences

Linear TV vs Connected TV. Understanding Key Differences

Steve Paule

Steve Paule — EVP, Chief Product & Technology Officer

Published: | Updated:

Television advertising has evolved dramatically since the first commercial aired for Bulova watches on July 1, 1941. Through the rise of premium cable, DVRs, social networks, and subscription-based streaming, what hasn't changed is that TV advertising remains the most viable, effective and cost-efficient means for brands to tell their story at massive scale.

Yet the lines between traditional linear TV and CTV have become increasingly blurred. Far from being obsolete, linear television advertising is actually reaching new audiences through CTV platforms. For marketers, understanding this interconnected ecosystem is crucial—it's not just about being proficient in CTV advertising, but understanding how linear and digital have merged into a complex, interconnected landscape.

Core Definitions

Linear TV

Linear TV refers to traditional television viewing accessed through cable companies or satellite services. To watch a show on linear television, viewers must select a specific channel at a specific time that the service provider has "lined up" with programming. This includes:

  • Traditional broadcast television
  • Cable television networks
  • Satellite TV services
  • One-to-many content distribution
  • Scheduled programming

Connected TV (CTV)

CTV refers to internet-equipped devices connected or embedded directly into a TV set that allow users to stream video content. CTV advertising involves delivering video ads on streaming devices such as:

  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV)
  • Gaming consoles
  • Internet-connected set-top boxes

These connected devices enable on-demand viewing and represent the hardware that delivers streaming content.

The Difference - In a Nutshell

Linear TV is traditional broadcasting delivered through cable or satellite with fixed schedules, while CTV streams content over the internet to smart devices.

The key distinction: Linear TV requires watching what's programmed at specific times, whereas CTV enables on-demand viewing and allows advertisers to target specific households rather than broad demographics.

The Relationship

Understanding the relationship between these terms is critical:

  • All CTV involves streaming, but not all streaming occurs on connected TV devices
  • Linear content can be delivered via CTV platforms (this is where the blur begins)
  • OTT (Over-the-Top) is the method for delivering video content via the internet, while CTV is the device on which viewers see that content

The Blurring Lines: Where Linear Meets Digital

The distinction between linear and streaming has become increasingly complex with the emergence of hybrid delivery models:

TV Everywhere (TVE)

TVE enables streaming of linear content on internet-connected devices. These are streaming apps from traditional networks that:

  • Require a cable or satellite subscription for access
  • Deliver the same linear channels available on traditional TV
  • Include apps like NBC App, ESPN App, and others
  • Are classified as "linear" from a Nielsen measurement perspective despite the streaming delivery

vMVPDs (Virtual MVPDs)

Virtual multichannel video programming distributors combine linear and streaming:

  • YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV
  • Deliver traditional linear channels via internet
  • No traditional cable box required
  • Provide both live linear feeds and on-demand content

FAST Channels

Free ad-supported streaming television offers:

  • Free streaming channels that replicate traditional TV experiences
  • Pluto TV, Tubi, Roku Channel
  • Time-scheduled programming similar to linear TV
  • Single-show channels (like TMZ on Tubi) that don't exist in traditional TV

Key Insight

According to Simulmedia's analysis, 75.9% of ad-viewing time (22 minutes daily) is still on linear TV, including TVE and vMVPD viewing. This means many "cord-cutters" are still seeing linear ads through streaming platforms.

Key Differences for Advertisers

Targeting Capabilities

Linear TV:

  • Broad demographic targeting
  • Time-based targeting (dayparting)
  • Geographic targeting (DMA-level)
  • One-to-many distribution

CTV:

  • Household-level targeting
  • Behavioral and interest-based targeting
  • First-party data integration
  • Cross-device targeting
  • One-to-one ad delivery capabilities

Measurement & Attribution

Linear TV:

  • Nielsen ratings as primary measurement
  • Overnight ratings with delayed reporting
  • Limited attribution capabilities
  • Impression-based metrics
  • Difficult to track direct conversions

CTV Advertising:

  • Real-time analytics and reporting
  • Detailed engagement metrics (completion rates, interactions)
  • Cross-device attribution
  • Conversion tracking capabilities
  • Ability to track viewer engagement (how long watched, rewatches, clicks)

Ad Inventory & Control

Linear TV:

  • Direct deals with networks
  • Upfront commitments required
  • Fixed ad slots and pod positions
  • Limited flexibility once campaigns launch

CTV Platforms:

  • Programmatic buying capabilities
  • Dynamic ad insertion
  • More control over frequency capping
  • Ability to optimize in real-time

Cost Structure

Linear TV:

  • Higher minimum spend requirements
  • CPMs vary by daypart and program
  • Upfront negotiations dominate
  • Generally more cost-effective for broad reach

CTV:

  • Flexible budget options
  • Higher CPMs but better targeting efficiency
  • Auction-based pricing models
  • Better suited for performance-based campaigns

The Advertising Rights Complexity

Understanding how advertising inventory is allocated is crucial:

  • In traditional linear advertising, distributors typically monetize 10-15% of ad space
  • Programmers command 85-90% of the inventory
  • When linear feeds transition to TVE and vMVPD apps, the same split often applies
  • Viewers see the same 14 minutes of national ads from programmers, with 2 minutes sold by the app owner

For example, watching Below Deck on Bravo via YouTube TV involves:

  • NBC/Bravo monetizing 85% with national linear ads
  • Google/YouTube selling 15% as streaming ads
  • Both types appearing in the same viewing experience

Why Advertisers Need Both Linear and CTV

Complementary Strengths

The combination of linear and CTV offers unique advantages:

  • Linear TV: Unmatched mass reach and brand building at scale
  • CTV: Precision targeting and performance measurement

Audience Coverage

Viewing behavior data reveals why both channels matter:

  • 12% of consumers only watch linear TV
  • 18% only watch streaming content
  • 70% watch both formats

Ignoring either channel means missing significant audience segments.

Integrated Strategy Benefits

Using both linear and CTV advertising together enables:

  • Incremental reach beyond single-channel campaigns
  • Better frequency management across platforms
  • Holistic cross-channel attribution
  • Optimized budget allocation
  • Avoiding audience duplication through suppression tactics

Practical Implications for Marketers

Planning Considerations

Successful cross-channel campaigns require:

  • Unified measurement frameworks across linear and streaming
  • Strategies to avoid duplicating audiences
  • Platform selection based on campaign objectives
  • Understanding where your target audience consumes content

Best Practices

  1. Start with objectives, not channels - Let your goals determine the mix
  2. Use linear for broad awareness - Leverage its unmatched reach for brand building
  3. Layer CTV for targeted frequency - Use precision targeting to reinforce messages
  4. Measure holistically - Look at combined impact, not channel silos
  5. Employ suppression tactics - Use viewership data to avoid oversaturating audiences

The Future: Convergence Not Replacement

The future of TV advertising isn't about choosing between linear and connected television—it's about understanding their convergence:

  • Linear TV isn't dying; it's evolving through new distribution methods
  • Streaming isn't separate; it's becoming interconnected with traditional TV
  • Technology is enabling unified buying across all TV inventory
  • Consumers don't distinguish between delivery methods—to them, it's all TV

Media buyers who understand this interconnected ecosystem and employ sophisticated cross-channel strategies will be best positioned to reach their audiences effectively while optimizing their advertising investments.

Conclusion & Action Steps

The distinction between linear TV and connected TV is no longer a simple binary choice. Today's television landscape requires marketers to:

  1. Recognize the interconnection - Many streaming experiences deliver linear ads
  2. Plan holistically - Create unified strategies across all TV formats
  3. Measure comprehensively - Track performance across channels, not in silos
  4. Optimize continuously - Use data to refine targeting and frequency

Getting Started

  • Audit your current TV strategy for gaps in linear or streaming coverage
  • Identify where your target audience consumes video content
  • Develop unified KPIs that work across channels
  • Partner with platforms that can execute across both linear and connected TV
  • Test and learn with integrated campaigns before scaling

The brands that will thrive are those that embrace TV's evolution—not as a shift from one format to another, but as an expansion of opportunities to connect with audiences wherever they're watching.