Global Scans · Media & Entertainment · Weekly Summary

• [New] The entertainment and media industries are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.1% from 2024 to 2032 to reach USD 6.1 trillion. ValuStrat
• [New] Video podcasts on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and social media receive higher engagement and offer more opportunities for discovery. Icpcast
• [New] Fastest-growing Service Type: Social media marketing is likely to be the fastest-growing segment through 2033, fueled by the skyrocketing popularity and usage of platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Tech giants like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Baidu stand to solidify their dominance, while sectors such as media production and digital education will likely see the fastest ROI. AI For Developing Countries Forum
• [New] A major legal case brought by 29 US states against Meta has begun, which could affect the way social media companies operate in the future. BBC
• [New] Social media users are predicted to reach 331.09 million, setting a new record in 2028. / USA Straits Research
• [New] Between 2024 and 2028, the overall number of social media users in the U.S. is projected to increase by 22.8 million people, representing a growth rate of 7.4%. Straits Research
• [New] For 2026, vertical media is projected to generate $150 billion in revenue in global markets outside of China, where the microdrama biz is well established. Variety
• [New] There's no doubt that 2026 will go down as a milestone year for the growth in popularity of vertical media content in the U.S. Variety
• [New] Adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. ACOFP ORG
• [New] The European Commission is working on its own regulations to protect young people from social media across Europe, and it will have a say on whether the French bill respects existing EU legislation. Pierstone
• [New] The Australian social media ban might be more effective in preventing or delaying access to social media in children under eight, rather than restricting access to adolescents who already use it. The Guardian
• [New] Beyond jobs, the accelerating production of convincing AI-generated media, such as deepfakes, is expected to routinely blur the line between real and fake (Vertex AI Search). BuildEZ
• Australia will grant its online safety watchdog more powers and increase the maximum penalty for breaches of its world-first social media ban, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying big tech companies are not doing enough to comply. financialpost
• By Industry Vertical: Media & Entertainment is forecast to capture 29.0% share in 2026 where localization volume affects production economics. FactMr
• By Application: Media & Entertainment is expected to account for 32.0% share in 2026 because dubbing and digital video require approved speech. FactMr
• The companies that control both - Amazon (Prime Video + Amazon Ads), Netflix (with its ad tier), Disney (Hulu + Disney +), and now Fox-Roku - will increasingly control the most valuable advertising inventory in digital media. Rothian Digital
• In spring 2027 it will bring in a social media ban for under-16s, which will include platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. / UK The Guardian
• The travel and ticketing segment is expected to register the fastest growth at a CAGR of 19.6% during 2026-2034, driven by increasing digital bookings for flights, railways, public transportation, and entertainment events. Straits Research
• Social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and X are seen as major contributors to disinformation, highlighting the risks companies face in digital ecosystems. Metro Atlanta CEO

Last updated: 31 August 2026