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Market Reports

India’s Media and Entertainment Industry

India’s Media and Entertainment Industry[

Overview

India’s Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country’s economy, driven by rising digital consumption, smartphone penetration and demand for diverse content. Governed and supported by bodies such as the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the sector offers significant opportunities for global players entering India’s creative and digital ecosystem. As the industry evolves, businesses require the right market entry strategy and regulatory guidance, an area UJA Global Advisory helps clients navigate. Here’s a closer look at what defines this dynamic and expanding industry.

What is Media and Entertainment?

The Media & Entertainment (M&E) Industry consists of enterprises that produce, create, distribute and advertise content through films, television, OTT platforms, music, gaming, publishing, radio, digital media, advertisements and live events. It employs technology to connect with audiences while making earnings through subscriptions, advertising, content licensing, ticket sales, and sponsorships. The India Media and Entertainment Market encompasses this broad ecosystem and continues to evolve with changing consumer preferences, digital adoption and new content formats.

Growth Drivers of India’s Media & Entertainment Industry

 

  • The growth of content creation in India, its expanding digital economy and the rise in consumption of entertainment have contributed to the country’s position as an attractive media and entertainment market. For instance, as of May 2025, the estimated number of active digital creators in India is between 2–2.5 million and influences around INR 29.6 trillion in annual consumer spending which is expected to reach around INR 84.6 trillion by 2030. These trends are supporting india media and entertainment market growth and strengthening the media and entertainment industry in india
  • Increased ownership of smartphones and affordable internet access is prompting the speed of digital media consumption to increase as demand for OTT platforms, online gaming, and short-form videos to increase. For instance, there is an estimated number of around 900 million active internet users in India by 2025. This expanding digital base is also contributing to the development of the OTT and digital media market in India.

Why Global Companies are Expanding into India?

  • The rise of digital development combined with the availability of inexpensive smartphones and internet connections has made the media and entertainment Industry in India flourish.
  • The increase in the consumption of entertainment online suggests the popularity of OTTs and streaming services, due to affordable subscription costs, the variety of programs, as well as the necessity to have content in regional languages.
  • At the same time, India’s film and television industry continues to flourish, backed by established expertise, diverse consumer preferences, and heightened global interest in Indian entertainment.

Government Initiatives Supporting the India’s Media and Entertainment Industry

The National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM)

  • The NFHM was established with the aim of preserving, restoring and digitizing the cinematic treasures of the country. By December 2025, the NFHM will have digitized 1,469 films which amounts to around 430,000 minutes of content.

India Cine Hub

  • India Cine Hub, formerly known as Film Facilitation Office (FFO) is an initiative by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It provides a single-window mechanism for filming approvals and facilitates foreign and domestic productions.
  • In FY2023–24, it facilitated 25 international feature films, 7 co-productions and 16 domestic feature films.

AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality) Initiatives

  • India is proactively developing its Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) space through initiatives in areas such as skilling, infrastructure and industry collaboration.
  • The value of AVGC-XR industry in India is estimated at around INR 100 billion in the year 2024.

Digital India Program

  • Launched in 2015, Digital India has expanded connectivity and digital access, supporting the technology infrastructure underpinning India’s digital media ecosystem.
  • Broadband subscribers increased from 250 million in 2014–15 to 1,030 million in 2024–25, a fourfold increase.

Investment Opportunities for Foreign Companies in India

Film and Cinema:
India released over 1,900 films in 2025 and produced nearly 200,000 hours of original TV, film, OTT and micro-drama content. This creates significant media and entertainment business opportunities in India and supports content production and distribution in India

OTT and Video Streaming:
Indian content is reaching a growing international audience through streaming platforms, with overseas viewers accounting for nearly 25% of total viewership, highlighting the growing global demand for Indian content. Additionally, India’s OTT market is projected to grow at a 14.9% CAGR, the highest among the world’s top 15 markets, further strengthening the India media and entertainment market growth outlook.

Animation, VFX and Post-Production:
The Union Budget 2026–27 is giving a major boost to India’s AVGC sector, with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, supported to establish AVGC Content Creator Labs (CCLs) across 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges nationwide. These developments create additional opportunities for foreign investment in India’s media Industry.

Key Regulatory Considerations Before Entering India

  • Foreign companies establishing an Indian entity must comply with requirements administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and Registrar of Companies (RoC).
  • Media investments must follow FDI rules governed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and regulated through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Understanding FDI regulations for media and entertainment in India is therefore important for companies evaluating market entry.
  • Television, radio and broadcasting businesses may require approvals from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and, wherever applicable, sector-specific authorities.
  • OTT platforms and digital publishers are governed primarily under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) through India’s applicable digital media framework.
  • Advertising and commercial communications are primarily guided by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), alongside applicable government and consumer-protection regulations.
  • Copyrights and other intellectual property are protected under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Indian Copyright Office.

For any queries related to Market Entry and Business Consulting services, contact us to schedule a 15-minutes free Consultation.

Outlook of India Media and Entertainment Industry

India’s Media & Entertainment industry has a positive outlook, supported by growing digital use, higher internet and smartphone usage, and increasing adoption of OTT platforms. Artificial intelligence is also expected to change content creation, personalised content, advertising, and distribution. Regional OTT platforms are creating more content in local languages, while concerts and live events are attracting larger audiences. Traditional television and print are also expected to remain relevant by using digital platforms and offering more targeted and premium content.

Businesses that leverage strategic advisory and compliance expertise will be well-positioned to capitalise on this evolving industry and achieve long-term success.

Businesses can explore UJA Global Advisory for end-to-end support in India entry and compliance.

How UJA Supports Media and Entertainment Businesses Entering India

UJA offers comprehensive advisory services tailored for media and entertainment companies:

  • Industry Entry Strategy and Expansion Planning
  • Regulatory and Compliance Advisory
  • Tax and Transfer Pricing Services.
  • M&A and Joint Venture Support
  • Accounting, Audit and Risk Advisory

With 30+ years of experience and global presence (India, Japan, Europe), UJA enables seamless cross-border expansion.

Frequently Ask Questions

India has a large young population, growing digital use, demand for different types of content, and increasing entertainment consumption, creating many business opportunities.

Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru are major hubs for production, technology, broadcasting, and digital entertainment.

Opportunities include content production, OTT, gaming, animation, VFX, digital advertising, licensing, technology and distribution services.

Regional content is important because it helps companies reach audiences across different parts of India, beyond the major cities.

Companies should consider market demand, competition, regulations, investment needs, local partners, content and distribution channels before entering the market.

Looking to explore opportunities in the India media and entertainment industry or expand your business in India? Partner with UJA global advisory for end-to-end support across industry entry, regulatory compliance, and strategic growth, ensuring a smooth and successful expansion journey.

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