Digital content market seen reaching $358.4 billion by 2030

The Business Research Company says the global digital content and services market will grow from $152.17 billion in 2025 to $180.32 billion in 2026, then nearly double again to $358.4 billion by 2030. The report points to rising internet access, streaming, creator monetization and AI-driven personalization as the main growth engines.

Why it matters: - The digital content and services market is expanding fast as more consumers shift media, software and entertainment spending online. - The forecast signals continued demand for streaming, apps, digital publications and connected-device experiences. - Businesses tied to content creation, distribution, advertising and subscriptions could see more room for growth as usage moves across more platforms.

What happened: - The Business Research Company released a forecast report on the digital content and services market on October 6, 2026. - The report puts market size at $152.17 billion in 2025 and $180.32 billion in 2026. - The report projects the market will reach $358.4 billion by 2030. - The forecast implies an 18.5% CAGR from 2025 to 2026 and an 18.7% CAGR through 2030. - North America was the largest regional market in 2025. - Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region over the forecast period. - The report covers Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa. - The company also added market attractiveness scoring, TAM analysis, company scoring matrix graphics, Excel-based forecasting dashboards, market hotspots infographics, and updated trend analysis to its 2026 reports.

The details: - The market includes the creation, distribution and monetization of media, entertainment, information and software delivered digitally. - The category includes video, music, gaming, applications and digital publications. - Growth drivers cited in the report include higher internet connectivity, more digital media consumption, wider smartphone use, streaming adoption and the shift from physical to digital formats. - The report says future growth will be driven by AR, VR and XR experiences, AI-powered personalization tools, cloud-based delivery networks, creator economy monetization and content distribution across multiple devices. - The report highlights subscription streaming models, short-form and interactive content, cross-platform strategies, user-generated content monetization and AI-based recommendations as major trends. - The report includes a free sample and full report links: Download a free sample and View the full report. - The report cites International Telecommunication Union data showing that about 67% of the global population, or 5.4 billion people, had internet access in October 2023. - That figure was up 4.7% from 2022.

Between the lines: - The forecast reflects a market moving beyond simple content consumption toward personalized, device-agnostic and interactive digital experiences. - Rising internet access remains the core demand catalyst, but the next phase of growth appears tied to monetization sophistication, not just audience expansion. - The emphasis on AI, AR, VR and XR suggests the competitive edge may shift toward platforms that can deliver more immersive and tailored content.

What's next: - The market is expected to keep scaling through 2030 if internet adoption, smartphone use and streaming habits continue to rise. - Content companies will likely focus on subscription models, creator monetization and AI-based recommendation systems to capture more value. - Regionally, Asia-Pacific appears positioned to outpace other markets as digital adoption deepens. - More information is available through the company’s announcement and report page.