Why Are Marketers Betting $207 Billion on Video?
Yes, that’s the staggering amount marketers worldwide are projected to pour into video marketing by 2025. But what’s driving this surge? We dug deep into the latest data and trends to uncover the story behind the number.
Here are the top 5 insights you don’t want to miss
1. Everyone’s Watching – Literally
Online video isn’t just popular — it’s ubiquitous. As of late 2022, over 92% of global internet users were watching online videos, with average viewing time hitting 19 hours per week. That’s a bigger reach than almost any other medium can offer. Whether it’s short clips on TikTok or long-form content on streaming platforms, video is where audiences are — and marketers are following with their budgets.
Statista Insight: By 2024, global digital video ad spending surpassed $191 billion, and it’s heading toward $207.5 billion in 2025.
2. Mobile + Social = Ad Goldmine
The explosion of mobile video viewing has has turned platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook into advertising powerhouses. Nearly 90% of video marketers use YouTube, and over two-thirds are now leveraging TikTok’s short-form magic. These platforms not only command attention — they deliver it in snackable, scroll-stopping formats ideal for today’s shrinking attention spans.
Mobile video ad spending alone is projected to top $180 billion globally by 2027.
3. TV’s Evolution: Connected, Not Forgotten
TV isn’t dead — it’s just gone digital. Connected TV (CTV) and Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) services like Pluto TV and Tubi are redefining how people consume video at home. For marketers, this means traditional TV-scale audiences plus the benefits of digital targeting.The result? CTV ad revenues are forecast to grow from $29.8 billion in 2023 to $47.6 billion by 2027.
That’s more than 12% annual growth — a streaming-era gold rush.
4. Viewers Don’t Mind Ads (If the Price Is Right)
It turns out consumers will tolerate ads — especially if it saves them money. Around two-thirds of global users say they’re willing to watch ads in exchange for cheaper free access to streaming content. This trend is fueling the rise of ad-supported tiers from giants like Netflix and Disney+, opening up premium inventory to marketers.
In countries like India and Nigeria, acceptance is even higher, making video ads a strong play in emerging markets.
5. AI Is Changing the Game
From scriptwriting to production, generative AI is accelerating how video get made. Tools like Movio are enabling scalable video creation using virtual avatars, while brands like Coca-Cola are already experimenting with AI-generated campaigns. While not every viewer is sold on the results yet, thing is clear: AI is bringing efficiency and personalization to video marketing like never before.
Even Open AI ran its first Super Bowl ad in 2025, signaling how central AI is becoming in both creating and being advertised through video.
Marketers aren’t spending $207 billion on video because it’s trendy —they’re investing because it works. Video reaches nearly everyone, adapts across platforms and formats, and is increasingly measurable, personalized, and immersive. From TikTok to smart TVs, video has become the dominant digital canvas — and marketers are painting big.
