Top Content Giants Reach Major Spending Milestone

According to research from Ampere Analysis, the world’s six leading content companies are set to achieve a significant spending milestone this year.

Disney, Comcast, Google, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), Netflix, and Paramount are forecasted to collectively spend $126 billion on content this year, representing over half (50.6%) of the total market. This is an increase from 46.8% in 2020 and 47.5% last year.

Individual Spending Projections

Disney is expected to be the largest contributor, holding a 14.4% market share with a projected spend of $35.8 billion, bolstered by its full acquisition of Hulu from Comcast at the beginning of the year. Comcast follows in second place with an anticipated expenditure of $24.5 billion, followed by Google ($17.6 billion), WBD ($16.8 billion), Netflix ($16 billion), and Paramount ($15.1 billion). Netflix and Paramount are likely to switch positions this year as Netflix intensifies its focus on original content while Paramount slows its spending.

Streaming Investments and Trends

Netflix is the leading investor in global streaming, averaging $14.5 billion annually on original and acquired content since the pandemic, with further growth expected in 2025 due to NFL and WWE rights acquisitions. Ampere notes that nearly one-third ($40 billion) of total spending is directed towards subscription streaming services operated by these six companies.

This milestone coincides with a trend of expanding investments beyond domestic markets. Ampere’s summer findings indicated that Netflix and Amazon ordered more titles from international sources for the first time. Despite production interruptions from recent strikes, streamers continue to support global production initiatives. For instance, international programming constituted 52% of Netflix’s spending and 40% of Paramount+’s in 2024. At MIPCOM last week, there were discussions about reduced spending on U.S. programming as traditional players face market challenges.

Future Spending Outlook

While these six giants are expected to maintain the majority of industry spending, Ampere Research Manager Peter Ingram predicts that overall growth will plateau as companies refocus their strategies. This may involve limiting commissioning volumes and prioritizing strategic investments for profitability amid current media market challenges.

Ingram also anticipates “low level growth” in the broader landscape this year, following disruptions caused by labor strikes.

Person

Peter Ingram

Company Names

Ampere Analysis, Disney, Comcast, Google, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, Paramount, Amazon

Titles

Hulu, Love Is Blind, Simpsons, NFL, WWE

Disclaimer: This story has not been edited by Vitrina staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.