OTT Advertising in the Triad: What Businesses Need to Know

If you’re a local business in Greensboro, High Point, or Winston-Salem, there’s a good chance your customers are no longer watching traditional broadcast or cable TV. They’re streaming their favorite shows on Hulu, Sling, YouTube TV, and more—often with ads.

That’s where OTT (Over-the-Top) and CTV (Connected TV) advertising comes in. If you’re considering OTT advertising in the Triad, you need to know it’s one of the most powerful and precise big-screen tools available for local marketers today—if you know how to use it.

In this article, we break down what OTT/CTV advertising actually is, why it matters for businesses in the Piedmont Triad, and how to use it strategically to grow your local presence.

What is OTT & CTV Advertising?

• OTT (Over-the-Top) advertising refers to video ads delivered through streaming services over the internet, rather than traditional cable or satellite.
• CTV (Connected TV) is the device people use to stream content—like smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or gaming consoles.

If someone is watching ad-supported Hulu on their Roku TV, and you deliver an ad to that viewer? That’s OTT/CTV in action.

Make Your Ads Unskippable

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The Rise of FAST Channels and Why They Matter

One of the biggest shifts in streaming is the explosive growth of FAST channels—Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television.

These are channels you can watch for free (no subscription required), and they’re loaded with ads—which is great news for local advertisers. Current statistics show they’ve experienced explosive growth, with a 12% year-over-year increase this August.

What Is FAST?

FAST channels offer a cable-like viewing experience but are delivered over the internet. Think of it like flipping through traditional TV, but on platforms like:

• Pluto TV
• Tubi
• Amazon Freevee
• Xumo
• The Roku Channel

They run 24/7 and often feature niche or themed content—from cooking shows to true crime to classic sitcoms.

Why OTT Advertising in the Triad Matters for Local Businesses

• Audience Growth: FAST channels have seen a surge in viewership because they’re free and easy to access—especially in budget-conscious households.
• High Ad Inventory: Because these platforms are ad-supported, there’s more room for local brands to buy affordable, high-impact placements.
• Brand Safety + Relevance: Many FAST platforms offer brand-safe environments and context-based placement options.

For local businesses, OTT Advertising in the Triad opens up a new world of affordable, scalable video advertising that rivals traditional TV reach—without the hefty price tag.

FAST Channels = Fast Growth

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Why Should Triad Businesses Care?

The Triad market is rapidly shifting toward streaming, just like the rest of the country. But unlike national advertisers, local businesses in Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem can use hyper-targeted OTT/CTV ads to reach specific households based on:

• ZIP codes
• Income levels
• Viewing habits
• Device type
• Demographics & behavior

That means you can put your brand in front of exactly the audience you want, without wasting budget on people you don’t want to see your ad. And if your target audience is outside the Triad, you can reach them too because you’re not bound by traditional broadcast and market limitations.

How OTT & CTV Ads Actually Work

This isn’t your grandfather’s TV commercial. OTT/CTV ads are bought and placed digitally, with the same data-driven precision as online ads.

What platforms?

• Hulu
• Pluto TV
• Sling TV
• Tubi
• ESPN
• Prime Video
• Netflix
• Spectrum Reach
• Local news apps and premium networks

What targeting?

• Geofencing (ZIP or neighborhood)
• First-party data matching
• Retargeting across devices
• Contextual placement (think “home renovation shows” for a kitchen remodeler)

What reporting?

At New Path Digital, we provide:

• Transparent delivery reports
• Household reach & frequency
• Completion rate (who watched the full ad)
• Conversion tracking if paired with digital follow-up campaigns

Stream Where Your Audience Is

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What You Need to Get Started

All winning CTV and OTT ad campaigns begin with well-defined objectives. These objectives will form every choice, from creative to platform.

1. A Clear Strategy
   • Who are you targeting?
   • What message will resonate?
   • What other marketing channels should this align with?
2. Good Creative
   • Remember: people are in “lean-back” mode on CTV. If your ad doesn’t hook quickly, it gets ignored.
3. A Local Partner
   • Platforms don’t optimize for you.
   • We help you choose the right mix, budget smart, and measure what matters.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Treating CTV like traditional TV (no more “spray and pray”)
• Neglecting creative quality (sound, visuals, pacing all matter)
• Running without frequency caps (you can annoy your audience fast)
• Skipping retargeting (you’re leaving warm leads on the table)

Work With a Triad-Based OTT Partner That Gets It

New Path Digital has been helping Triad businesses grow with OTT and CTV advertising since before it was trendy.

We’re based in High Point with team members across Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Burlington, and surrounding counties. That means we understand not just the platforms, but the people you’re trying to reach.

We bring:

• Strategy-first planning
• Data-driven targeting
• Transparent reporting
• Affordable, scalable campaigns

Whether you’re new to streaming ads or ready to refine your current approach, we can help you use OTT and CTV to reach real local customers, without wasting a dime.

Ready to Advertise Smarter?

Let’s build an OTT and CTV streaming ad campaign that puts your brand on the big screen and in front of the right people.

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