Once simple hardware providers confined to living room corners, OEMs are now broadening horizons by diving into content, ad sales and data. A panel discussion at this year’s TV of Tomorrow (TVOT) Live event noted how the unique positioning of these companies in the market offers advertisers some neat features, although the age-old industry plagues remain. LG Ads’ Chief Product Officer Raghu Kodige argues that the TV is best placed to collect audience data and build better advertising experiences. He said that OEMs offer a direct relationship with consumers across all video distribution channels, which cannot be said for broadcasters or operators. For example, LG sells ad space for UFC matches across its linear and OTT inventory. More specifically, Vizio’s…