An ad moment the viewer creates.
An overlay ad shown when the viewer pauses content. It occupies a moment the viewer created, takes no time from the break structure, and clears the instant playback resumes.
Illustrative placement
What it is.
A pause ad is an overlay unit displayed when the viewer pauses content on a TV platform that exposes a pause surface. It exists because pausing is a natural, viewer-created moment: attention is already on the screen, no break time is consumed, and the ad yields to playback the moment it resumes. Because it buys no break time, it monetizes sessions that pod inventory never touches, alongside your existing CTV video demand.
The format monetizes attention without spending break inventory: pod time stays with your video demand, and the pause moment earns its own incremental revenue on top.
How the format behaves.
Design notes
Duration and exit rules. The unit holds while content stays paused and clears on resume, within the per-platform duration limits in our publisher policy.
Where this format belongs.
Pause overlay
The full or partial overlay displayed during pause, subject to the platform exposure rules and dimensions.
L-bar placement
A reduced-shape variant alongside the paused frame on platforms that expose it, designed to leave the content visible.
The numbers that ship.
Platforms, shapes and duration limits
Which TV platforms expose a pause surface, and the shapes available per platform, are confirmed per integration; the current platform list lives with the CTV integration notes in the docs.
The rules this format is held to.
Pause units may not autoplay sound, may not cover playback controls in a way that traps the viewer, and must clear on resume. The viewer created the moment; the format exists to respect it.
What each number tells you.
View time
How long the unit was actually on screen per pause event. The platform defines the ceiling; you read the distribution.
Interaction rate
Engagement with the overlay where the platform allows interaction. Incremental by design, so read it against pause frequency.
Revenue in the moment the viewer made.
Platform operators: pause inventory availability is confirmed per platform during integration. Ask us about yours.
Overlay · non-interruptive · incremental