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Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Alex Petridis Alex Petridis New York, United States Last Updated: August 2024 NAICS 51621

Revenue

$212.9bn

2024

$212.9bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xbn

Employees

278k

Businesses

4,320

Wages

$XX.Xbn

Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry analysis

Media streaming, social networks and other content providers have faced challenges during the period as demand for airtime and advertising expenditures wavered. In addition, the number of cable TV subscriptions has fallen significantly, as increased subscription costs combined with better, cheaper alternatives have driven consumers to stream over traditional cable and TV. These hindrances have been offset by a boom in online video streaming and a surge in demand for media content. 

Trends and Insights

  • The shift to media streaming has energized the industry. Many traditional cable network providers have pivoted to developing their own streaming services to circumvent the loss of demand from cord-cutting trends.
  • Media streaming services offer substitutes for several traditional services in the industry. Most notable is video streaming, which offers cheaper rates and more freedom when it comes to watching.
  • New York houses the largest companies involved in traditional TV and cable services, making it an ideal location for companies. Similarly, tech hubs like Silicon Valley and entertainment capitals like Hollywood make California a conduit for industry activity.
  • Price competition is rampant among providers, stemming from the increasing number of services available. Pirating remains the most prominent threat to enterprises since it allows customers to view the content for free.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $212.9bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Consumer preferences continue to evolve

  • The trend of cord-cutting, where consumers cancel traditional cable or satellite TV subscriptions in favor of streaming services, has been accelerating. This shift pressured traditional cable networks to adapt their business models and offerings.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Consolidation set to ramp up

  • The oversaturation of services is set to limit growth. Larger companies will aim to acquire more niche platforms to expand their audience.

Biggest companies in the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Walt Disney Co
34,296.4
2,484.5
7.2
Nbcuniversal Media, Llc
33,216.0
6,484.1
19.5
At&T Inc.
28,849.0
5,870.9
20.4

To view the market share and analysis for all 24 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Media streaming , Licensing and Airtime (radio). Media streaming is the largest segment of the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US.

Trends and Insights

Media streaming grows in popularity among younger crowds

  • Media streaming is a broad segment consisting of paid subscriptions and ad revenue specifically related to media streaming services.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this industry provide media streaming distribution services, operate social network sites, operate media broadcasting and cable television networks, and supply information, such as news reports, articles, pictures, and features, to the news media. Most products and services in this industry are offered through subscription-based platforms.

What's included in this industry?

Media Streaming LicensingAirtime (Radio)Airtime (TV)ProductionVideo and audio programming package, on-demand, and streaming distribution servicesNews Publishing

Companies

Walt Disney CoNbcuniversal Media, LlcAt&T Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 24 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

DIGITALHIGH-DEFINITION TV (HDTV)SATELLITE RADIODIGITAL RADIONEWS SYNDICATION

Industry Code

NAICS 2022

NAICS 516210 - Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The shift to media streaming has energized the industry. Many traditional cable network providers have pivoted to developing their own streaming services to circumvent the lo...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Media streaming services offer substitutes for several traditional services in the industry. Most notable is video streaming, which offers cheaper rates and more freedom when...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

New York houses the largest companies involved in traditional TV and cable services, making it an ideal location for companies. Similarly, tech hubs like Silicon Valley and e...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Price competition is rampant among providers, stemming from the increasing number of services available. Pirating remains the most prominent threat to enterprises since it al...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Acquisitions during the last few decades made TV broadcasting and cable networks highly concentrated, leading to a few companies taking up most of the business in the US. Exa...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Walt Disney Co's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Nbcuniversal Media, Llc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of At&T Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 21 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Walt Disney Co, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Nbcuniversal Media, Llc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for At&T Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 21 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

More mobile phones with internet connections have made it easier for consumers to access video streaming, leading to more subscriptions. Media streaming providers have recent...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

With the rise of numerous streaming platforms, each vying for exclusive content, bidding wars have driven up the prices of licensing rights for popular shows and movies. This...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry in United States is $212.9bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry in 2024?

There are 4,320 businesses in the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers market in United States are Walt Disney Co, Nbcuniversal Media, Llc and At&T Inc.

What does the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US in United States include?

Media Streaming and Licensing are part of the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Walt Disney Co.

How competitive is the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Media Streaming, Social Networks and Other Content Providers in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Software Publishing in the US
  • Television Broadcasting in the US
  • Cable Networks in the US
  • Internet Publishing and Broadcasting in the US

International industries

  • Global Movie Production & Distribution
  • Satellite TV Providers in Canada
  • Pay TV Providers in the UK

View all industries in United States

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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