The short version

Ari Paparo predicted on December 30, 2024: “Walmart buying Vizio was arguably the most important advertising-related M&A of 2024. It will force Amazon, Kroger, and the big streamers to accelerate their own CTV and retail-media integrations in 2025, with at least one major, defensive acquisition of a TV OEM or CTV OS.” Verdict: Partially right. Large platforms and retailers have…

Prediction by

Ari Paparo

On December 30, 2024

“Walmart buying Vizio was arguably the most important advertising-related M&A of 2024. It will force Amazon, Kroger, and the big streamers to accelerate their own CTV and retail-media integrations in 2025, with at least one major, defensive acquisition of a TV OEM or CTV OS.”

Follow-up

Large platforms and retailers have intensified investment and partnerships in CTV and retail media. However, as of mid-2026, there has not been a clearly 'defensive' acquisition of a major TV OEM or full CTV operating system by Amazon, Kroger, or a top streaming platform.

From the High Caliber AI network — see the AI for PR module in the course.