20 Trending U.S. Media and Entertainment Industry Statistics [2026]: Biggest Entertainment Industries

Media and entertainment industry research summary. The Media and Entertainment industry remains a vital and dynamic sector of the U.S. economy, with Hollywood continuing to be a global hub for creativity and innovation. Below are some of the most compelling statistics regarding the U.S. media and entertainment landscape as of 2026:

• Core copyright industries contribute $1.9 trillion (8.2%) to the U.S. economy.

• The U.S. Media and Entertainment industry represents 7.5% of the total U.S. GDP.

• As of 2023, there are 1.5 million Americans employed in the Media and Entertainment industry.

• The market size of the U.S. Media and Entertainment industry is $825 billion.

• The U.S. Media and Entertainment industry is projected to achieve a CAGR of 8.9% through 2030.

• As of 2025, the global Media and Entertainment market is valued at $2.6 trillion.

For further analysis, we’ve categorized the data in the following ways:
Sector | Trends and Projections | Services

General Media and Entertainment Industry Statistics

The Media and Entertainment industry continues to be a major contributor to the U.S. economy, showcasing resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing landscape. Here are key insights into the industry’s significance:

• The U.S. Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation industry currently boasts a market size of $315 billion.

  Despite a significant decline during the pandemic, the sector is on a robust path to recovery. The current market size is approaching its pre-pandemic high of $347.5 billion, showing resilience after dipping to a low of $221 billion in 2020.

• Box office revenue saw a substantial recovery, reaching approximately $11.5 billion in 2023.

  This is a marked improvement from the pandemic’s impact, showcasing a revitalization in audience interest and attendance.

• The United States comprises nearly one-third of the global entertainment and media market.

  This dominance is largely attributed to the international appeal of Hollywood productions, which continue to set cultural trends worldwide.

• Since 2016, the U.S. Media and Entertainment industry’s contribution to GDP has consistently grown between 5-7% annually.

Media and Entertainment Industry by Sector

The Media and Entertainment sectors are vast, catering to diverse audiences and interests. Here are notable statistics from various sectors:

• The U.S. Music industry has a market size of $45 billion as of 2023.

  This includes notable segments such as the Recording ($9 billion), Live ($10 billion), and Publishing ($1.9 billion) industries, among others.

• The U.S. Movie industry is valued at $95 billion as of 2023.

  Despite fluctuations, the industry is projected to maintain steady growth, driven by both theatrical and streaming revenues.

• Five major American studios dominate over 60% of total film industry revenue.

  Leading companies include Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Universal, and Sony, which collectively hold a significant share of the market.

• The Gaming industry has exploded in size, now valued at over $200 billion.

  This growth reflects the increasing popularity of mobile gaming and eSports, which continue to engage a global audience.

• The U.S. TV Broadcasting industry has a market size of $70 billion.

  While facing challenges from streaming services, traditional broadcasting remains relevant, adapting to new viewing habits.

• The U.S. Book Publishing industry has stabilized at a market size of $27 billion.

  Despite digital competition, the sector has seen a resurgence in niche markets and audiobooks.

Media and Entertainment Industry Trends and Projections

While the Media and Entertainment industry is recovering robustly, it is also evolving significantly. Here are the latest trends and projections:

• From 2012 to 2023, the U.S. Media and Entertainment industry’s market size has increased by 20%.

• Digital ad spending in the U.S. Media and Entertainment sector is projected to exceed $30 billion in 2023.

• By 2025, the U.S. Media and Entertainment industry is expected to be worth $900 billion.

• The global Media and Entertainment industry is projected to reach $3 trillion by 2027.

Media and Entertainment Industry by Streaming Services

Technology continues to reshape the Media and Entertainment landscape, particularly with the rise of streaming services. Here are the latest statistics:

• OTT’s annual video revenue is projected to reach $427.8 billion by 2026.

• 57% of Americans have canceled their cable subscriptions as of 2023.

• Video streaming accounts for 85% of internet video traffic as of 2023.

• The average American subscribes to four streaming services.

• 80% of Gen Z spend more time watching streaming services than any other platform.

Media and Entertainment Industry Statistics FAQ

1. How big is the U.S. Media and Entertainment industry?

   The U.S. Media and Entertainment industry is enormous. With a market size of $825 billion, it surpasses the GDPs of many nations and employs approximately 1.5 million individuals.

2. What’s the largest sector of the U.S. Media and Entertainment industry?

   Streaming services dominate the U.S. Media and Entertainment industry. In total, annual video revenue is projected to reach $427.8 billion by 2026.

3. What is the growth rate of the U.S. Media and Entertainment industry?

   The U.S. Media and Entertainment industry is expected to maintain a steady CAGR of 8.9% through 2030.

4. What percentage of the U.S. economy is the media and entertainment industry?

   Approximately 7.5% of the total U.S. GDP is attributed to the Media and Entertainment industry.

5. What is the largest company in the Media and Entertainment industry?

   The largest player in the Media and Entertainment sector is Comcast.

6. How competitive is the Media and Entertainment industry?

   The Media and Entertainment industry is highly competitive.

Conclusion

With a market size of $825 billion, representing 7.5% of the U.S. GDP, the Media and Entertainment industry plays a critical role in our daily lives. The industry has shown remarkable resilience following the pandemic, and with a projected CAGR of 8.9% through 2030, we can anticipate significant growth and innovation in the years to come.

Sources:

1. BLS. “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

2. SelectUSA. “Media and Entertainment Spotlight.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

3. Statista. “Value of the global entertainment and media market from 2011 to 2027.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

4. IW. “Arts, Entertainment and Recreation in the US – Market Size 2002–2027.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

5. Statista. “Box office revenue in the United States and Canada from 1980 to 2023.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

6. Pepperdine. “The MEDIA Report Media & Entertainment Data In America 2016 to 2023.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

7. Statista. “Recorded music industry revenue in the United States from 2009 to 2023.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

8. Grand View Analysis. “Movies and Entertainment Market.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

9. Raise Your Skillz. “Gaming Industry vs. Other Entertainment Industries (2023).” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

10. IW. “Television Broadcasting in the US – Market Size 2005–2027.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

11. Soundcharts. “Music Market Focus: Sizing Up the US Music Industry.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

12. eMarketer. “US Media and Entertainment Digital Ad Spending Forecast 2023.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

13. PRN. “The Global Entertainment & Media (E&M) Revenue Projected To Reach US$3 Trillion In 2027.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

14. Statista. “OTT Video.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

15. Forbes. “Cord-Cutting To Accelerate In 2023, With 57% Of Cable Households Disconnecting.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

16. Insider. “Video will account for an overwhelming majority of internet traffic by 2023.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

17. Vindicia. “How many streaming video services does the average person subscribe to?” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

18. eMarketer. “US adults across age groups prefer streaming services to cable TV.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

19. The Hollywood Reporter. “Hollywood, Creative Industries Add $504 Billion to U.S. GDP.” Accessed on March 30th, 2026.

20. Statista. “Box office revenue in the United States and Canada from 1980 to 2023. Accessed on March 13th, 2026.

21. Statista. “OTT Video.” Accessed on March 13, 2026.

22. IIPA. “Copyright Industries in the U.S. Economy 2023 Report.” Accessed on March 13,2026.

Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.