After a strong and encouraging 2025 election cycle, our team is already looking ahead. Digital strategy is evolving quickly, and campaigns preparing for 2026 are entering an environment defined by smarter targeting, higher-quality inventory, and new ways to meet voters where they are.
In the coming weeks and months, DSPolitical will roll out operational and product updates designed to give Democratic campaigns more flexibility, control, and precision. These improvements are being built around three major trends shaping how smart campaigns connect with voters in 2026.
1. FAST Platforms are Opening New Doors
As cord cutting gives way to re-bundling, free ad-supported streaming (FAST) has quickly become one of the most significant shifts in the digital advertising landscape, reaching the point where scale and quality align. Campaigns of all sizes can now place premium video alongside brand-safe, culturally relevant programming at rates that are far more accessible, delivering high-value environments to persuadable voters without the premium price tag.
For down-ballot races, this is a game-changer. FAST gives smaller campaigns the ability to reach voters on the biggest screen in the home with persuasive, long-form storytelling. With its combination of affordability, quality inventory, and rapidly expanding audiences, FAST is becoming a critical piece of the 2026 media mix and a powerful tool for campaigns looking to maximize visibility on a tight budget.
2. Gaming and Audio are Breaking Through
We’re seeing real returns here, not just in expanded reach, but in the depth of engagement these channels generate. Voters are spending more time with gaming and audio content than ever before, which means longer time-on-screen, and stronger message recall for the campaigns showing up there.
Digital audio offers campaigns a powerful way to scale by tapping into a diverse mix of listening environments. In 2025, ad-supported audio accounted for 64% of all listening, giving campaigns a meaningful opportunity to broaden their media mix and meet voters where they’re already engaged. Meanwhile, in-game inventory is delivering targeted impressions with a level of precision that used to be limited to display. Together, these channels are becoming powerful additions to any media plan, especially for reaching younger, mobile-first voters who are less responsive to traditional ad environments.
3. CTV is Still Doing the Heavy Lifting
CTV remains the most powerful screen in the mix because voters give it their full attention, and campaigns can tell richer, more persuasive stories in a setting that feels familiar, trustworthy, and high-quality. What’s changing heading into 2026 is the strength of the technology behind it. Our focus on improved ID resolution and cleaner supply paths make CTV even more precise and efficient. Whether the goal is broad awareness or targeted persuasion, CTV continues to deliver the scale, strong completion rates, and high-impact storytelling that make it a reliable driver of results for Democratic campaigns heading into 2026.
For a deeper look at how to build an effective CTV strategy, our Win the Streaming Majority ebook offers a clear roadmap for campaigns planning ahead.
Setting the Foundation for 2026
The 2026 cycle will demand smarter strategies, cleaner supply paths, and media plans that reflect how voters actually consume content today. We’re committed to giving campaigns exactly that — and we’re excited to see what we can accomplish in the new year.
If you’re starting to plan your digital strategy for 2026, our team is here to help. Contact us below to learn how DSPolitical can power your campaign’s goals in the year ahead.