“Advertisers and Marketers have long believed that placing their brands in premium content builds trust, but this research proves that and takes it a step farther by defining what they mean by ‘premium’”

The study found that platform, content, device, and ad load are what makes a viewer perceive content as high quality—revealing that the right blend of these factors could improve quality metrics by 3.6x. In short, content that has had editorial input and was enjoyed on a big screen with minimal interruptions was seen as the most premium to respondents.

The research also found that content quality reflected directly on the brands that appeared there. According to the study, when ads appeared in premium content, 68% of respondents thought they were higher quality and 66% believed the brands were more credible.

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“Advertisers and Marketers have long believed that placing their brands in premium content builds trust, but this research proves that and takes it a step farther by defining what they mean by ‘premium’,” said Thomas Bremond, Chief Revenue Officer, International, FreeWheel. “These insights can help guide advertisers to more impactful content, and help publishers build better environments and experiences. Knowing that premium content could enhance brand appeal through a halo effect can help all parties make smarter, more effective media decisions.”

FreeWheel and NBCU’s Prescribing Premium study was based on 8,000 online interviews with adults aged 16-64 across the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, and Canada​. In the survey, explicit questions around content consumption were asked alongside a conjoint analysis to fully understand viewer attitudes around what constitutes a high-quality viewing experience. The survey found that similar perceptions of a high-quality viewing experience extend across age groups and countries studied.

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In addition to analyzing content, the survey found that the right advertising experience matters, too. Limited ads and ad breaks had 2.1x higher quality index compared to more and longer ad breaks, and 72% of respondents said premium environments have less intrusive ad experiences than non-premium environments. Previous research by the FreeWheel Viewer Experience Lab showed that ad breaks that are two minutes or less contribute to better viewing experiences.

David Evans, VP Research, Global Data and Insights, NBCUniversal, added, “The vast majority of audiences across global markets engage with premium video on a regular basis, carefully planning and selecting content with high production values and strong narratives. This purposeful search for content fosters a strong connection between viewers and the content they watch, which also drives conversation and recommendation. When complemented with a high-quality ad experience, this creates a premium environment for advertisers. This heightened engagement and impactful environment translates into increased attention and a higher return on investment, making premium content a powerful platform to drive effective marketing outcomes.”