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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryCTV, Video & AudioAd Load

CTV, Video & Audio

Ad Load

The amount of advertising per hour of content in a stream or broadcast, a key lever for balancing revenue against viewer experience.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

Ad load is the amount of advertising per hour of content in a stream or broadcast, often expressed in minutes of ads per hour. It is a key lever for balancing revenue against viewer experience: heavier ad loads increase inventory to sell, while lighter loads can improve attention, satisfaction, and retention.