Unscripted Is Eating the World: The Multi-Billion Reality and Format Boom

Unscripted is the new prestige — inside the $19.8B global format boom reshaping how streaming platforms compete.

$19.8B

Global spend on unscripted content in 2025

+23%

Year-over-year growth — outpacing scripted

40+

Countries importing South Korean formats

Is unscripted the most underestimated category in the global content business?

The Multi-Billion Reality and Format Boom — a deep dive into the most underestimated category in global content.

What we’ll cover:

Why the $19.8B number is bigger than it looks — and where the money is actually going
Format export economics: South Korea, India’s regional boom, Saudi Vision 2030
The social-native format advantage — why reality travels where drama can’t

Key data points

India regional reality +12% YoY
Saudi entertainment infra: $4B committed
Local content mandates accelerating
Reality CPMs closing gap with scripted

Who is this for

This briefing is built for people who make or fund decisions about how content gets produced — not for general AI curiosity.

Producers & EPs

Looking to cut production costs and timelines without cutting corners on quality or buyer expectations.

Studio & Streamer Execs

Setting internal AI policy and want a clear-eyed view of what’s production-ready versus what’s still risky.

Post & VFX Vendors

Deciding where to invest in AI tooling to stay competitive on turnaround and price.

Your hosts

Two people who talk to studios, streamers, financiers, and vendors every single week.

EXPERT

Atul Phadnis

Founder & CEO, Vitrina A.I.

– A value-chain specialist and host of Vitrina’s LeaderSpeak podcast series, Atul reads and analyzes big-player market moves—across regions, genres, content slates, and partner choices—and deciphers the why, how, and what next – within the business of content.

HOST

Kunal Barai

Strategic Growth & Solutions Leader, Vitrina

– Kunal spends every day speaking with studios, streamers, financiers, and vendors—surfacing real financing, partnership, and growth needs. He brings those live questions to the session to spot trends in real time and map where the industry is heading next.