2025 media and entertainment industry outlook

发布时间：2025-09-25 22:22

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Media and entertainment companies face critical decisions due to global trade concerns.

Reduced ad spending and lower discretionary consumer income could pose significant challenges.

Executives must develop strategies to manage potential tariffs and global revenue changes.

Media and entertainment trend #1: Trade war implications

Automakers, agriculture producers and consumer electronics manufacturers have dominated headlines in recent months as the global trade war intensifies. However, one industry that—until recently—has received less coverage is media and entertainment. While it may not feel the effects of the trade war directly, the industry may experience a downstream impact as consumers and businesses make critical spending decisions driven by ongoing economic uncertainty.

Traditionally, marketing (including advertising) is one of the first items an organization cuts in times of uncertainty. This is a big issue for media and entertainment businesses, many of which rely heavily on advertising revenue to keep operations going. Streaming channels are one example, as the majority have changed their business models to rely heavily on advertising and less on subscribers.

Media and entertainment trend #2: Tech advancements in the sports industry

The sports industry is undergoing a technological revolution driven by data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are improving team performance andreshaping the fan experience.

From driving growth in sports betting to enhancing coaching techniques and fan engagement, data analytics and AI are essential for sports organizations to remain competitive and foster growth.

Media and entertainment trend #3: Box office success

The box office, facing challenges like strikes and streaming shifts, shows resilience post-pandemic. Studios adapt, tech giants invest in theaters, prompting industry changes.

The landscape is dynamic, reflecting the adaptability and transformation of the industry in response to evolving consumer preferences and global events.

Media and entertainment trend #4: AI disruption

Though still far from perfect, generative AI technologies have the potential to revolutionize many industries, including media and entertainment. Already this industry has quickly adopted these technologies, deploying them in creative processes ranging from generating first drafts of TV scripts to helping customize digital content for individual users.

The new required tax treatment of R&D expenses is also affecting M&A by worsening the tax posture of targets. Transaction planning that includes R&D cost analyses may enable deals to proceed by reducing the cash tax rate. However, the utilization of favorable tax attributes, such as net operating losses, may be limited by a change in ownership, which must be taken into account.

RSM contributors

Justin Krieger