CTV Report

CTV Engagement per Impression Is Up Nearly 2x YoY

Abstract

  • Connected TV engagement per impression nearly doubled year-over-year, rising from 1% in Q2 2024 to 1.94% in Q2 2025.
  • Interactive CTV ads have been shown to boost unaided recall by 36%, drive 13% more foot traffic, and lift brand affinity by 33%.
  • Pause ads can lift unaided recall by 34%, while rewarded ads show effectiveness across multiple funnel stages.

Interactive CTV ad formats like shoppable, pause, and rewarded ads aren’t just novelties anymore — they’re performance drivers. Recent data from BrightLine revealed engagement per impression climbed from 1% in Q2 2024 to 1.94% a year later, signaling a steady increase in how often viewers actively interact with CTV ads. These ad types improve recall, drive foot traffic, and strengthen brand affinity, making them essential tools for brands looking to connect meaningfully with audiences.

This shift comes at a pivotal moment for streaming. As ad loads expand (with platforms like Prime Video doubling theirs), advertisers risk overwhelming audiences with repetitive, passive creative. Interactive ads offer the antidote, cutting through the noise by turning viewers into participants and maintaining engagement in crowded streaming environments. For marketers, the message is clear: those who invest in interactivity today are setting the standard for what performance-driven CTV will look like tomorrow.

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