Media and entertainment: Value chain, from upstream to the customer
Film, television, music, news, games and live events funded by viewers and ads
Value chain, from upstream to the customer
Criticality to the chain: 5 · Chokepoint 4 · Critical 3 · Important 2 · Supporting 1 · Commodity service Stage 1 Creation and rightsFinance, develop and produce films, series and shows, then license or sell the rights to broadcasters, streamers and cinemas.1
Why important: Many producers compete, but hit-making franchises and libraries are scarce and take years to build. Technologies Digital cinema cameras Virtual production (LED volumes) Non-linear editing Rights and royalty management Depends on Commodities Tm TimberSt Steel Chemicals Pnt Paints and coatings Energy LED Lighting and displaysICE Internal combustion engines and gensets Industries Software and IT servicesComputers and electronicsReal estateExamples: Walt Disney Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Yash Raj Films, BanijaySign artists, record and own songs, and collect licensing income from streaming, radio, films and live use.1
Why important: A few major labels own large catalogues, but independent labels and direct-to-fan artists are a real alternative. Technologies Digital audio workstations Content ID and fingerprinting Royalty accounting systems Depends on Chemicals PVC PVC Energy Bld Energy in buildings Industries Software and IT servicesExamples: Universal Music Group, Sony Music, T-Series, SaregamaBuild and publish mobile, console and PC games, earning from sales, in-game purchases and ads.1
Why important: Many studios compete, but large titles take years to build; games earned about US$ 224 billion in 2024. Technologies Game engines (Unreal, Unity) Live-service backends In-app payment systems Player analytics Depends on Energy DC Data centres Industries Software and IT servicesData centres and cloudComputers and electronicsExamples: Tencent, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Nazara TechnologiesSell or license the editing, design, animation and real-time engine software that creators use.1
Why critical: A few vendors dominate each tool category and workflows, files and skills are built around them, so switching is slow. Technologies Video and photo editing 3D animation and rendering Real-time game engines Generative AI tools Depends on Energy DC Data centres Industries Software and IT servicesExamples: Adobe, Autodesk, Epic Games, UnityCreate visual effects, animation, dubbing and colour grading for studios and streamers, often across studios in several countries.1
Why important: Several large global studios and many smaller ones; moving a big project mid-stream costs time and money. Technologies Render farms Compositing software Motion capture AI dubbing and subtitling Depends on Commodities Cu Copper Energy DC Data centresHP Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration Industries Software and IT servicesComputers and electronicsExamples: DNEG (Prime Focus), Framestore, Phantom FX, Basilic Fly StudioRent out cameras, lenses, lights and sound gear and supply freelance technicians to productions by the day.1
Why commodity service: Many rental houses and freelancers in every production hub, so shoots can rebook within days. Technologies Digital cinema camera packages LED lighting rigs Wireless audio Drones Depends on Commodities Li Lithium Energy NMC Nickel-rich lithium-ion batteriesICE Internal combustion engines and gensets Industries Computers and electronicsTransport and logisticsExamples: ARRI Rental, PanavisionAssemble channels of shows, news and sport and distribute them by satellite, cable and connected TV, earning advertising and subscription income.1,2
Why important: A few large networks hold key sports and entertainment rights, but viewers can shift to streaming. Technologies Satellite uplinks Playout automation Connected-TV apps Live sports production Depends on Energy Bld Energy in buildingsICE Internal combustion engines and gensets Industries TelecommunicationsSoftware and IT servicesExamples: JioStar, Zee Entertainment, Sun TV Network, BBCStream films, series, music and creator videos on demand, charging subscriptions or selling ads.1,2
Why critical: A few global platforms control audiences and data; creators and labels have limited alternative routes to viewers at scale. Technologies Adaptive bitrate streaming Recommendation algorithms Digital rights management Ad-insertion technology Depends on Energy DC Data centres Industries Software and IT servicesData centres and cloudTelecommunicationsExamples: YouTube, Netflix, JioHotstar, SpotifyReport, edit and print news, magazines and books, selling copies, subscriptions and ads.1
Why supporting: Many publishers compete and digital substitutes are plentiful; newsprint price is their main exposure. Technologies Offset web printing Content management systems Digital paywalls Print-on-demand Depends on Commodities Tm Timber Chemicals CB Carbon blackPig Organic pigments Energy Dist Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectorsICV Combustion road vehicles Industries Paper and packagingTransport and logisticsExamples: Bennett, Coleman & Co (Times Group), HT Media, DB Corp, Penguin Random HouseCache and deliver video, games and web content from servers near users so streams start fast and do not buffer.1
Why important: Several CDNs compete and large platforms use more than one, though a major CDN outage can take down many sites at once. Technologies Edge caching Multicast and low-latency streaming DDoS protection Media transcoding Depends on Commodities Cu Copper Energy DC Data centres Industries Data centres and cloudTelecommunicationsExamples: Akamai, Cloudflare, Amazon CloudFront, Tata CommunicationsRun multiplex and single-screen cinemas, earning from tickets, food and on-screen ads.1
Why supporting: Several chains compete and films also go to streaming; global box office was about US$ 33 billion in 2024. Technologies Digital cinema projectors Premium large formats and immersive sound Online ticketing Laser projection Depends on Commodities Mz Maize Chemicals PU Polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols) Energy HP Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigerationLED Lighting and displays Industries Real estateComputers and electronicsExamples: PVR INOX, Cinépolis, AMC EntertainmentStage concerts, festivals and sporting events and sell tickets, sponsorship and merchandise.2
Why supporting: Many promoters and venues exist, though ticketing tends to concentrate on one or two platforms per market. Technologies Online ticketing and dynamic pricing Stage lighting and sound Crowd management Cashless payments Depends on Commodities St Steel Energy ICE Internal combustion engines and gensetsLED Lighting and displays Industries Software and IT servicesTransport and logisticsExamples: Live Nation, BookMyShow, Wizcraft InternationalSell and buy audience attention: platforms run auctions for ad slots, agencies plan and buy media for brands.1,2
Why critical: Digital formats took 72% of global ad revenue in 2024 and are concentrated in a few platforms, which set prices and rules for everyone else. Technologies Programmatic ad exchanges Search and social ad auctions Audience targeting and measurement AI-generated creative Depends on Energy DC Data centres Industries Software and IT servicesData centres and cloudExamples: Google, Meta, WPP, Publicis Groupe · Digital ≈ 72% of global ad revenue, 2024Measure viewing and listening that sets ad rates, and collect royalties for composers and labels from broadcasters and venues.1,3
Why critical: Usually one recognised ratings body or collecting society per market: BARC is India's only TV ratings agency, with about 58,000 people meters for some 230 million TV homes, so its numbers are the currency for TV ad spend. Technologies People meters and audio watermarking Cross-platform measurement Royalty distribution systems Depends on Energy DC Data centres Industries Software and IT servicesComputers and electronicsExamples: BARC India, Nielsen, Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), Comscore