HOW TECHNOLOGY IS TRANSFORMING GLOBAL MEDIA INDUSTRY

Smartphones, streaming and social media are reshaping how content is created, marketed and distributed

- BY CHRIS REDMOND Special to Gulf News

Technology continues to dramatically reshape the media industry, influencing not only the devices on which we consume content but also transforming the very nature of the content itself.

These technological shifts fundamentally alter viewer experiences and how media producers create and distribute their stories.

The shift towards mobile and digital devices has profoundly changed viewer habits. According to recent data from Statista, by the end of 2024, nearly four billion people worldwide were regularly using smartphones to access media content.

Mobile viewing now surpasses traditional TV watching in many regions, including the UAE, where over 90 per cent of residents use smartphones daily to stream videos, access news, or engage with social media.

The growth of streaming services, driven by platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and regional services such as Shahid and Starzplay in the UAE, has accelerated these trends.

Streaming allows personalised content experiences through advanced recommendation algorithms powered by AI. These algorithms analyse viewer preferences to suggest tailored content, enhancing viewer satisfaction and engagement.