Mumbai: India’s media and entertainment (M&E) industry continues to demonstrate strong momentum, reaching a market size of INR 2.78 trillion in 2025, according to insights shared at the launch of the FICCI–EY Media & Entertainment Report 2026. The report underscores a phase of rapid evolution driven by scale, convergence, and technological transformation.
Speaking at the launch, Kevin Vaz highlighted that the sector’s growth has outpaced GDP per capita and exceeded earlier projections, signalling robust fundamentals and sustained expansion.
A key trend emerging from the report is the rise of digital as the largest segment across advertising, subscriptions, and commerce, fundamentally reshaping how content is consumed and monetized. However, the shift is not a replacement of traditional mediums but an expansion, with India emerging as a multi-screen or “AND” market where television, mobile, print, cinema, and connected TV coexist and grow together.
The report also highlights the growing significance of the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) sector as a major growth engine, unlocking new storytelling formats and global opportunities for Indian creators.
Sports continues to play a pivotal role in the ecosystem, acting as a unifying force for audiences across platforms. The recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 exemplified this, with digital streaming platforms achieving record-breaking engagement, including 72.5 million concurrent streams during the final.
Beyond sports, cinema and live experiences are witnessing renewed traction. The year saw over 1,900 film releases, with multiple titles crossing the INR 1 billion mark, reinforcing the enduring appeal of theatrical content.
Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a transformative force across the value chain, enabling personalization, operational efficiency, and new creative possibilities. AI-led productions and enhanced fan engagement across sports and entertainment are already reshaping industry dynamics, while also raising important questions around copyright and fair compensation for creators.
Looking ahead, the report projects the M&E sector to cross INR 3 trillion by 2027, positioning India as a global case study in balancing scale, diversity, and innovation.
The report emphasizes that as the industry expands, the focus must remain on building trusted platforms, investing in meaningful storytelling, and ensuring seamless, shared experiences for audiences across formats.
