“If you think about GAM’s stranglehold, it’s over the open web, and the open web is in decline, so they can make the argument that [they’re] not really a monopoly.” —Ciaran O'Kane

In this episode of the MadTech podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by co-founder & advisor Ciaran O’Kane and head of content John Still to discuss the TV and video landscape, shifting consumer mindsets in e-commerce, and Google’s legal battles.

They look into the BBC’s new partnership with YouTube, Temu catching up with Amazon in global cross-border e-commerce, 5 US publishers filing lawsuits against Google, and Google appealing the verdict in its search antitrust case.

This week's news stories:

The BBC announces partnership with YouTube

The BBC and YouTube have announced a landmark deal which will see the corporation make content tailor-made for the YouTube streaming service, including entertainment, documentaries, children's channels, news, and sport, starting next month with the Winter Olympics.

The content may also be made available on BBC's iPlayer and Sounds platforms. Those watching outside of the UK will have to watch ads.

Temu catches up with Amazon in global cross-border e-commerce

Temu's market share surged from less than 1% in 2022 to 24% last year, matching Amazon's share of cross-border purchases, according to data from the International Post Corporation, which represents 26 national post services worldwide. The rise of Temu has been attributed to a broad increase in Chinese e-commerce exports, despite the global supply chain facing some tight regulation at the moment.

Five US publishers file lawsuits against Google

Penske Media Corporation, Advance Publications, Vox Media, McClatchy, and The Atlantic have filed cases against Google over allegedly conducting "deceptive and manipulative" ad tech practices. The lawsuits claim that Google used its dominance in ad servers and ad exchanges to force publishers into its ecosystem, stifle competition, and drive down online prices.

Additionally, they say Google could see rivals' bids through its ad exchange before submitting its own, allowing it to keep prices deliberately low.

Google appeals US landmark antitrust ruling

Google has appealed a US district judge's landmark antitrust ruling that found that Google illegally held a monopoly in online search, following its line of argument that the ruling failed to consider the current competition the company faces due to innovation and other players that are moving into the landscape.

Google's vice president for regulatory affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, said that people use Google because they want to, not because they are forced to.