US OOH industry posts record Q1 revenue as digital growth and AI brands fuel momentum

The OOH advertising industry in the United States has recorded its strongest first quarter on record, with revenue reaching US$2.12 billion in Q1 2026, marking a 7.1% increase year-on-year and extending the medium’s growth streak to 20 consecutive quarters.   

According to data released by the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA), the growth was driven by continued expansion in Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH), increased investment from technology companies, and stronger advertiser participation across key industry sectors.   

One of the biggest contributors to the quarter’s performance was the continued rise of digital inventory. DOOH revenue grew by 12.9% year-on-year, accounting for 36% of total OOH revenue during the period, highlighting the growing role of data, flexibility, and dynamic content in the medium’s evolution.   

Technology emerged as one of the fastest-growing advertiser categories, with spending surging by 139% compared to the previous year. The growth was significantly influenced by increased investments from AI-focused companies, including brands such as OpenAI, Genspark, and Lambda, reflecting the sector’s growing reliance on OOH to build visibility and awareness in an increasingly competitive market.   

Transit media recorded the strongest growth among major OOH formats, registering an 18% increase during the quarter. The performance reinforces the continued importance of high-mobility environments as brands seek to connect with audiences across daily journeys and urban touchpoints.   

The report also revealed that 72% of the top 100 OOH advertisers increased their spending year-on-year, indicating growing confidence in the medium’s ability to deliver scale, visibility, and measurable outcomes.   

The latest figures underscore the expanding role of OOH within the broader media mix, particularly as advertisers look for channels that combine real-world presence with increasing levels of data, targeting, and accountability. With digital formats continuing to grow and new categories such as AI accelerating investment, the medium appears to be entering another phase of sustained expansion.