Digital Content Producer

Starling launches new CTV platform for TV ads. Sep 29, 2026 | TVN Staff Save this article for later! Login or create a Free Member Profile to bookmark it. Starling, a connected TV supply-side provider, has launched a new platform built for connected TV, aiming to help advertisers and publishers deal with fragmentation, weak audience signals and limited transparency in the CTV market. The company, which is backed by private investment firm MBL Partners, said it is combining technology, publisher relationships and experienced leadership as it expands in a market where billions of advertising dollars are already flowing through systems built for an earlier era of digital media. Starling said its platform is designed to surface more of the content, program and audience signals inside each CTV impression and make them usable for buyers. The company also said it wants to give advertisers clearer reporting at the show and program level. "CTV is becoming the center of the television advertising market, yet the infrastructure underneath it remains fragmented and often opaque," said Matthew Mathison, MBL Partners founder and managing partner. "We see a massive opportunity for a platform purpose-built for this market, combining premium supply, powerful signals and modern technology with a fundamentally more transparent model." Starling said it will be led by Michael Bassik, executive chair and acting chief executive. Sean Miller, an operating partner at MBL Partners, will serve as chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Reshmi Nair, formerly a senior engineering executive at Magnite, is chief technology officer, and Wil Danielson, formerly senior vice president of business planning and sales at Nexstar Media Group, is chief revenue officer. Bassik said the company was built around what makes television different, including premium content, rich viewing signals and engaged audiences. "Connected TV has become one of the most dominant advertising channels in the world, but somewhere along the way, the industry lost sight of what made it so powerful in the first place. We built Starling around what makes television different: premium content, rich viewing signals, engaged audiences and high-value advertising experiences." Starling said its platform is constructed around premium video, program-level intelligence, live programming and broader transparency across transactions. The company said advertisers can use the system to better understand what audiences are watching while publishers can capture more value from their inventory. Starling said it is working with publishers including Xumo. Mike Gammone, senior director of ad sales at Xumo, said the partnership is intended to help advertisers make more informed media decisions. "Advertisers are increasingly looking for both scale and accountability from their CTV investments. At Xumo, we're committed to delivering premium content, reaching high-value audiences at scale and measuring campaign impact." Starling said it will continue adding technology, publisher partnerships and new capabilities as it expands across the CTV advertising ecosystem.

It is 100% my decision. WPMT (Harrisburg) Chief Met Andrea Michaels took to social media to announce that she was leaving the Nexstar station. She told viewers that it was 100% her choice to leave and that the station offered her a new deal. A couple of things. Why do you need to stress that it was completely your decision to leave. I don't think anyone cares. You're leaving, that's it. Also, was the new deal from Nexstar at a bigger salary, or did they offer you a pay cut, as they have offered many talent around the country? If that was the case, you should read this. Michaels said that she is leaving to...say it with me...spend more time with her family.

Nexstar names a new board of directors to oversee Tegna after a federal judge ruled that its earlier board composed of Nexstar's C-suite violated a court order