Global Scans · Media & Entertainment · Weekly Summary

• [New] With global revenues projected to surpass $3 trillion by 2026, the Media & Entertainment industry is not evolving - it is being structurally redefined. TO THE NEW
• [New] By 2026, over 85% of global media consumption will occur via connected TV, mobile-first, and hybrid OTT platforms. TO THE NEW
• [New] By 2026, generative AI in media and entertainment will shift from experimentation to operational dependency. TO THE NEW
• [New] In-store media accelerates as the next major retail media growth frontier: By 2026, retailers will expand in-store media through deeper partnerships with signage and content platforms and use AI to tailor messages to real-time traffic and shopper behaviour. Supermarket News
• [New] We are forecasting $70 billion in ad spending in 2026, and by 2029, we are forecasting that retail media alone will make up about one-fifth of all digital ad spend. eMarketer
• [New] Microdramas are rapidly transforming LATAM's media landscape, with revenues projected to reach $14 billion globally by the end of 2026, including $3 billion generated outside China. Yahoo Finance Singapore
• [New] U.S. ad spend is projected to grow 9.5% in 2026, with double digit gains expected in social media (14.6%), CTV (13.8%) and commerce media (12.1%). Digiday
• [New] Media spending by advertisers is projected to reach $664.2 billion in 2026, continuing a steady shift away from offline media and toward digital and data-driven channels. Insideradio.com
• [New] Meta's ability to monetize advertising on Status and Channels will open up new purchasable media spaces: companies will be able to combine traditional advertising campaigns with automated conversational flows, transforming advertising impressions into immediate dialog on WhatsApp. SendApp - Whatsapp Marketing Software
• [New] The U.K. has threatened to ban X and Grok, Elon Musk's social media platform and AI model, for allowing users to create explicit deepfake images of people, including children. Harvard Gazette
• [New] The media success of libraries like Columbus Metropolitan Library and Los Angeles Public Library is going to drive more libraries to invest in creative storytelling. Super Library Marketing: Practical Tips and Ideas for L
• [New] In 2026, social media fatigue is expected to continue. Adtraction
• [New] The global AI in media and entertainment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25.22% during the forecast period. Polaris
• [New] By 2026, AI will be the backbone of social media marketing. Social Lady
• [New] The future of social media marketing in 2026 will be defined by smarter technology, more authentic connections, and data-driven creativity. Social Lady
• [New] By 2026, AI-first content creation will be the standard approach for social media marketing, allowing brands to produce high-quality content at scale, in real time, and with unprecedented efficiency. Social Lady
• [New] By 2026's end, social media will shift from metrics to mood where algorithms act as emotional architects of human connection. Spinta Digital
• [New] Podcasts will cement their status as a primetime media format in 2026. eMarketer
• [New] By 2026, AI-powered content creation will be ubiquitous in entertainment, marketing, and business, enabling easier, faster, and scalable high-quality content creation. https://www.usaii.org/ai-insights/generative-ai-trends-
• [New] For a $1 billion revenue retailer, retail media could add $10 million to $30 million in high-margin revenue. IHL Group
• [New] The entertainment and media sector is projected to reach $2.6 trillion by 2026, driven by a growing demand for experiential leisure and social activities. INDESTROOM

Last updated: 02 February 2026