Global Scans · Leisure · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Online retailing will be one of the fastest growing channels between 2015 and 2019 as individuals do not have much time for leisure and seek convenience. Entertainment will continue to shift away from traditional broadcast media and print to reality augmented and deeply personalised content. The occupations with the largest new employment growth will be managers, professional and technical jobs, and caring and leisure occupations. Many middle-class professionals will be outsourced to machines within the next few decades leaving workers with more leisure time than they have ever experienced.

• [New] AI models will become a sticky layer across everything in 2026, absorbing time and attention, not for news in the narrow sense, but as catch-all interfaces for information and entertainment. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
• [New] Analysts expect 2026 to see explosive growth in AI-generated video, audio, and 3D content, with profound implications for marketing, entertainment, and digital media. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] Entertainment in 2026 thrives on creativity, interaction, and collaboration. Blogger
• [New] Entertainment in 2026 continues to push toward formats that feel alive, participatory, and deeply connected to audiences. Blogger
• [New] A boom in niche sports: As the rights to top-tier leagues grow too costly for all but the biggest media players, 2026 will see increased investment in mid-tier and niche sports with passionate followings. Streaming Media Magazine
• [New] Sub-3 - second latency will enable new streaming business models: In 2026, sub-3 - second latency will become widely adopted for streaming sports and interactivity enabling operators to introduce commerce models that depend on near-real-time delivery. Streaming Media Magazine
• [New] By 2026, interactive streaming is emerging as a core monetization strategy rather than an experiment - and a defining feature of modern media and entertainment industry trends. Avenga
• [New] In 2026, streaming is no longer a one-dimensional entertainment medium - it has become a dynamic commerce environment where viewers transition seamlessly from watching content to purchasing products without breaking immersion. Avenga
• [New] Sports broadcasters will fight harder for eyeballs in 2026. Lewis Silkin
• [New] Investment flows into sports infrastructure, technology platforms, and equipment manufacturing further strengthen Asia-Pacific's position as a global production hub, creating significant opportunities for global brands and local innovators alike. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The Rise of AI-Generated Video A quiet shift has been unfolding in the entertainment world, and 2026 will be the year it becomes prevalent. Daffodil Unthinkable Software Corp
• [New] Coming to Austin, Texas, in 2026 is the Submersive spa, which will sport bathing rooms with wall-to-wall digital art in addition to outdoor spaces. Empower
• [New] Mattel's entertainment strategy is beginning to take clearer shape, with 2026 expected to be its biggest year for releases since 2023. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, cross-border passenger traffic is surging, with an expected 300,000 cross-border passenger trips during the New Year holiday - a year-on-year increase of 30%. Bastillepost
• [New] UK travel companies are bracing for one of their busiest periods for bookings as winter-wearied consumers plan sunny breaks, with package holiday bookings forecast to be up 5% in January 2026. The Guardian
• [New] Looking ahead, China's ice-and-snow tourism is expected to keep growing, driven by an influx of investment in winter sports infrastructure, better accessibility to ski resorts, and an ever-increasing demand for unique winter experiences. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Michelin will be introducing the new Pilot Sport Endurance, a sustainable tire for the GTP class, in 2026. Jalopnik
• [New] Whether for business or leisure, 2026 could be the year for Australians to travel further and explore new destinations with a stronger, more valuable dollar. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Tourism, both for business and leisure, will see an influx of Australian tourists taking advantage of the stronger currency. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The summer surge blueprint will become the template for all Australian peak-travel periods, including Easter and the July school-holiday rush. VisaHQ
• [New] With less direct access to Europe, Georgian tourism and businesses could see a decline, as EU citizens may find it more difficult to visit Georgia, and Georgian citizens may struggle to travel for business and leisure purposes. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Brazil's financial markets open Friday in thin holiday trading, with the Ibovespa near 160,500 after a strong 1.46% surge on Tuesday reclaiming the 160,000 level amid disinflation and global risk-on flows. The Rio Times
• [New] For the first time in history, total US holiday retail sales are projected to surpass the $1 trillion milestone, driven by a record-breaking Cyber Week and a consumer base that refused to blink in the face of persistent price pressures. FinancialContent

Last updated: 07 January 2026