Media & Entertainment: Outlook 2021

Bambos Eracleous, Partner and Head of the Media & Entertainment Practice, discusses the impact of the last 12-months across the media and entertainment sector and looks ahead to next year

This year has been hugely impactful on the media and entertainment sector. Despite the many challenges faced, the creative industries perservered, delivering quality content when the lockdowns and various restrictions could have been tremendous obstacles. We must take the opportunity to thank every person who has contributed to keeping us entertained, informed and distracted during these testing times. 

Although challenges and accelerated structural changes still lie ahead for the sector, we can hopefully start to look forward to the future with some positivity. I have outlined some of my observations from this year, the key trends we will see going into next year for each industry as well as popular interim assignments and areas of focus for recruitment in my Outlook 2021. 

You can access the full report here

The headlines:

Advertising

• Consolidation next year

• 'Traditional' media remains strong

• A digital focus using emerging technologies

Film & Cinema

• Continued distribution disruption
• Signs of a new hybrid distribution model 
• Further impact of delayed release dates
• New opportunities to connect with audiences

Gaming & Esports

• A strong year for gaming
• Growing as a spectator sport
• Cross-industry collaboration

Music, Radio & Podcasts

• Virtual concerts and music experiences
• Exploring new opportunities for radio

Publishing

• Continued importance of digital subscriptions and data
• Book sales steady
• There may be consolidation on the horizon

Sport

• A greater focus on organisational culture, values and behaviours
• Sport playing a role in wider societal movements
• Digital revenue streams and partnerships

Streaming services

• D2C has taken over the market
• The streaming wars have only just begun

TV

• Public service broadcasters face new challenges
• The digital future

For more information please contact Bambos Eracleous