By Frank Macek In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, the term “CTV” is popping up more frequently in conversations about television’s future. But what exactly is Connected TV, and why is it such a critical piece of the puzzle for local broadcasters like WKYC-TV? Let’s unpack what CTV means, how it differs from traditional TV, and why it’s becoming the cornerstone of how local stations will survive—and thrive—in the streaming era. CTV stands for Connected TV—televisions that connect to the internet to stream digital video content. This includes smart TVs with built-in internet access and devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or game consoles like Xbox and PlayStation that connect regular TVs to the web. Through these platforms, viewers access streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Peacock—and yes, local news apps and FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channels, many of which carry content from local affiliates like WKYC Studios in Cleveland. In short, CTV is how ...