India's Screen Entertainment Industry Poised for a Digital Boom by 2029

Image Source : BW Businessworld

India's screen entertainment market is projected to reach 17 billion dollars by 2029, with online video emerging as the dominant force in revenue generation. A recent report by the Confederation of Indian Industry highlights the rapid shift toward digital platforms, fueled by affordable data, mobile penetration, and the growing demand for localized content.

Online video is expected to contribute 8.6 billion dollars, accounting for half of the industry's total revenue. Television, though experiencing a slight decline, remains a significant player at 6.8 billion dollars, reflecting its deep cultural presence in Indian households. Meanwhile, the film industry is set to recover steadily, reaching 1.9 billion dollars through hybrid release strategies and multiplex revival.

The report underscores a major transformation in India's screen economy, where digital platforms are reshaping content consumption patterns. By 2029, online video is projected to surpass television, redefining how audiences engage with entertainment.

Despite this growth, the industry faces challenges, particularly digital piracy, which led to an estimated 1.2 billion dollars in revenue loss in 2024. Targeted anti-piracy measures are being explored to safeguard investments and ensure sustainable expansion.

Total content investments are expected to reach 7.5 billion dollars by 2029, marking a significant milestone as online video matches television's share of spending for the first time. India's content investment has already hit 5.8 billion dollars in 2024, nearly doubling since 2019, reinforcing its position as one of Asia's largest video content markets.

Sources: Confederation of Indian Industry, Media Partners Asia, IP House, ANI, BusinessWorld, MSN News, LiveMint, Tribune India.