As we get to the close of another year, it marks the perfect time to reflect on the year that has passed and look forward to the one ahead. If there is one industry that seems to be moving at a great pace, it is the media and entertainment industry. In this blog post, we are going to take a look at some of the media and entertainment trends that are predicted for 2019. So, let’s get to it…
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Emphasis placed on mobile TV viewing – Let’s begin with one of the more obvious trends, and this is the dominance of mobile TV viewing. This is probably something you are not shocked to see on the list. After all, smartphones have become the most popular device for Internet usage. Combine this with the portability and the generous data packages that are available today, and it is not hard to see why more and more people are watching TV on their mobile phones. Not only does this mean that those in the entertainment sector need to ensure their videos and live shows are optimised for mobile usage but it presents a great opportunity for marketers too. This means they have a chance to reach people throughout the day, whether this is at the gym or during their morning commute.
The impact of blockchain – Another trend we need to concern ourselves with in 2019 is blockchain. You can read this interesting FilmTrack article on blockchain in media and entertainment for a great insight into this. You will see that blockchain is having a big impact when it comes to content rights. In the article, three ways in which blockchain can have a significant effect on the management of content rights are discussed. This includes monetization, cybersecurity, and distribution.
The growth of data consumption – There are plenty of other trends that are having a big impact on the media and entertainment industry, and the consumption of data is one of these. It is predicted that this will continue to grow over the next five years. PwC have revealed that it expects data traffic levels to increase by a 22.3 percent CAGR. This means that by 2022, it will reach 397.8 trillion megabytes. There are a number of different reasons for this growth. However, PwC is mainly putting it down to the consumer’s appetite for video content. The firm has stated that by 2022, video content will make up 85.6 percent of the total amount of data consumed.
More M&As – There have been a lot of merger and acquisitions in the industry of media and entertainment in recent years. This is something we assume will continue. Some of the most famous examples in recent times include Disney’s intent to acquire most of 21st Century Fox’s assets. Of course, who could ignore the merger between Time Warner and AT&T, which was work $85.4 billion? These deals have set the precedent, which means we can expect to see a considerable number of M&As of a similar nature.
Move to 5G Wireless – We were only just getting used to 4G, but now it is all about 5G. This is something that is naturally going to have an impact on telecoms providers. However, it will also alter what is possible with regards to the experiences that faster broadband will facilitate. A good example of this is the recent acquisition of Layer3 by T-Mobile. Layer3 is a broadband video startup. This takeover is going to give T-Mobile the capacity to launch a television service, which is internet-delivered and powered by 5G, across the United States.
As you can see, there are a number of trends that we can expect to see in 2019, as well as a number of different things that are shaping the media landscape. From blockchain and a greater number of M&As to the growth of data consumption and the popularity of mobile TV viewing, there is a lot to take into account for the year that lies ahead. However, if you work in media, staying ahead of these trends can give you the best chance of being successful throughout the coming year. Good luck!
Categories: Interesting Stuff
