TVNZ has bought a 15% stake in digital advertising business Youdooh as the broadcaster seeks to diversify into outdoor advertising opportunities.
The company confirmed the purchase today and says it is a “future-focused’ investment in a New Zealand-built company harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to make advertising simpler and more accessible for businesses.
Youdooh is a cloud native AI-enabled platform providing clients with high-impact advertising, including digital screens on billboards and in shopping centres, airports and bus shelters.
TVNZ’s investment will support its continued growth and create new opportunities to connect the broadcaster’s digital advertising products with Youdooh’s network of screens.
TVNZ Chief Executive Jodi O’Donnell described the 15% stake as a “future-focused” decision to extend its advertising offer beyond broadcast and streaming.
This included giving brands new ways to reach New Zealanders across more moments, places and screens, while backing a local technology business with strong trans-Tasman momentum and global ambition.
Chief Executive Jodi O’Donnell said the company was extend its advertising offer beyond broadcast and streaming. (Source: Breakfast)
The investment supported local innovation and built on TVNZ’s digital advertising capability, O’Donnell said.
“Youdooh is making it easier for more businesses to use digital screen advertising.
“By investing in the platform, TVNZ is backing a smart New Zealand business and creating new ways for advertisers to reach audiences across TVNZ+ and screens in the world around them.
Easier to access
Youdooh co-founder Richard Pook said TVNZ’s investment was a strong endorsement of the platform and its growth plans.
“We built Youdooh to make digital outdoor advertising easier for everyone to access. TVNZ’s support gives us more momentum to grow in New Zealand, Australia and beyond, while helping more advertisers bring their campaigns to life on screens in the real world.”
Last week TVNZ posted a $16.3 million statutory profit for the 2026 financial year and announced it would pay a dividend to the Government of $2.2 million.
The annual result featured digital revenue growth of 16.8% and the company said it had made “real progress” with its Digital+ strategy, including investing in new technology ahead of the FIFA World Cup in June-July this year.
The company’s operational earnings (before interest and taxes) came to a paper loss of $23.5 million, which had been previously signalled. This was due to planned strategic investments in “products, platforms and capability needed to drive long-term digital growth”, TVNZ said.
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