2025 Year in Review: Media & Entertainment's Defining Moments and Future Outlook

2025 was a transformative year for media and entertainment, marked by tech-driven innovation, evolving consumer habits, and new revenue streams shaping the industry's future.

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The media and entertainment industry closed 2025 with sweeping changes that reshaped content, technology, and audience engagement.

From major triumphs to unexpected challenges, the year marked a turning point for streaming, immersive experiences, and evolving business models. Industry veterans reflect on the biggest shifts in consumer behaviour and the technologies that drove transformation. As 2026 approaches, the sector braces for deeper disruption powered by AI, creator-led ecosystems, and next-gen entertainment. Digital Studio India reached out to a few of the industry experts to get their view on the year gone by...

RAJASEKHARAN HARIKRISHNAN

How was the year 2025 for the M&E sector? Triumphs and challenges.

I would say, 2025 is a year of “Digital Transformation” for M&E. The Media and Entertainment industry underwent a significant shift in 2025, embracing digital innovation to drive growth and profitability. As the sector navigated the challenges of streaming fatigue and content overload, it discovered new opportunities for revenue generation.

Triumphs of the Year: The industry's success stories were largely driven by technological advancements and creative monetization strategies. The widespread adoption of AI significantly reduced production costs and increased efficiency, enabling content to reach global audiences faster. Streaming services also found success with ad-supported plans, attracting massive advertising revenue and proving that streaming can be a profitable business model. Additionally, live and immersive experiences, such as concerts and themed attractions, saw significant growth, highlighting the value of unique in-person experiences.