Converged TV and CTV: what’s the difference?

It’s confusing, right? Here’s the difference between Converged TV and CTV (aka Connected TV).

Illustrated TV with the words Converged and Connected, on the difference between converged TV and CTV

This was originally posted on the Peach website. Find out more about the rebrand from Peach to Cape.io.

Converged TV and CTV (aka Connected TV) — we talk about them all the time here at Peach, but it’s no doubt confusing. We might even get them mixed up ourselves (sometimes).

While they may sound similar, there are distinct differences between the two concepts. Here's an explanation of each:

CTV (Connected TV) 

Connected TV (sometimes referred to as Convergent TV) refers to televisions or TV devices that are connected to the internet, allowing users to access online content and streaming services directly on their TV screens. Connected TVs can be Smart TVs with built-in internet connectivity or traditional TVs paired with external devices like streaming boxes and sticks (Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, etc), or gaming consoles (Playstation, XBox) that provide internet access and streaming capabilities. 

Connected TVs give people access to platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and other streaming services, expanding the viewing options beyond traditional linear TV and cable channels.

Converged TV 

Converged TV, on the other hand, refers to a much broader concept that combines traditional linear television (broadcast and cable) with digital and streaming content. It represents the convergence of various television distribution platforms and technologies into a single, integrated viewing experience. Converged TV involves the blending of broadcast, cable, satellite, and streaming services to provide seamless access to both live linear TV channels and on-demand content from multiple sources. It aims to unify different sources of content and delivery methods into a cohesive user experience.

In summary, CTV (Connected TV) focuses on the internet connectivity of TVs and the ability to stream online content, while Converged TV is a broader concept where traditional linear TV channels integrate with streaming services and other digital content sources, providing a unified experience.

You can read more about Converged TV from Joe Hollywood, Peach’s Head of Product, in Converged TV Is Complex But It’s Also Full of Opportunities.

Get in contact to find out more about how we’re working to make advertising on CTV and Converged TV work better.

November 4, 2026

3 min read
The Creative Burden Index 2026: the creative workload is growing faster than your team

The inaugural Creative Burden Index draws on more than 700,000 creative files produced through the Cape.io platform between September 2022 and August 2026 to understand how the demands placed on creative teams have changed.

closed caption ITV

October 15, 2026

4 min read
Navigating ITV's 2027 closed caption mandate

This is the moment captions go mainstream. Here is everything you need to know about the ITV mandate and how to get your workflow ready before it lands.

September 23, 2026

4 min read
Creative is the new targeting: Solving signal loss with adtech

The collapse of targeting data forced the real performance lever to the surface: creative quality.

Glowing fairy lights on cream with the headline Don't leave Christmas compliance until Christmas Eve

September 8, 2026

7 min read
Christmas advertising around the world: 7 compliance rules you need to know

Christmas may be a global commercial moment, but there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all Christmas campaign.

Illustrated maze with coloured shapes trapped inside, representing the advertising compliance maze

July 29, 2026

5 min read
Navigating the compliance maze

Gambling & sports betting ad regulations across the U.S.

Gradient sun illustration next to the headline Sun, sea, and substantiation, on summer ad claims

July 16, 2026

5 min read
Sun, sea, and… substantiation?

3 compliance traps in summer travel ads.

Illustration of two people in a red convertible on the Cannes seafront for the Cannes Lions 2026 AI recap

July 2, 2026

4 min read
Cannes Lions 2026: AI grew up, now the industry has to learn to trust it

The conversation has shifted from whether AI can automate advertising to whether automated campaign execution can actually be trusted.

Gradient heart and sparkles beside the headline You don't have an AI problem. You have a trust problem.

June 25, 2026

6 min read
You don't have an AI problem. You have a trust problem.

Every marketer is being sold intelligence. But intelligence without accountability is just noise at scale. Here's what the real question actually is.

Funnel illustration filled with coloured shapes, representing the creative bottleneck in media orchestration

June 24, 2026

3 min read
Why creative infrastructure is the real bottleneck in media orchestration

The disconnect between creative and media in programmatic advertising.

Gradient football on orange beside the headline The new reality: Football marketing without FIFA rights

June 2, 2026

5 min read
The new reality: Football marketing without FIFA rights

The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be one of the biggest advertising moments of the decade. But for brands hoping to ride the wave of football fever, the line between “inspired by football” and “infringing on FIFA rights” has never been thinner. From unofficial sponsor campaigns to alcohol and gambling promotions, regulators and rights holders are watching closely. Here’s what marketers need to know before launching a football-themed campaign this summer.